According to the Daily Star, Manchester United are weighing up a monster £79million bid for PSG midfielder Marco Verratti.
The young Italian has a growing reputation as one of the finest midfielders in the game with his passing and technical ability, combined with a fierce competitive streak – but at that price, surely United will be having second thoughts.
Jose Mourinho is the new manager at Old Trafford with the task of returning the Red Devils to the top of Premier League tree and is looking to improve a squad that could only manage fifth in the league last season.
Admittedly, the Red Devils did manage to win the FA Cup last year, but the Portuguese knows far more is expected than that and he’s bound to be already looking for new acquisitions.
Verratti then, might be a bit too much money – even for United. But there are plenty of cheaper alternatives out there that could do just as good a job.
Here is a look at FIVE of them…
Radja Nainggolan
Nainggolan is perfectly suited for the Premier League.
Coming in to the peak of his career, the Belgian enforcer can get up and down the pitch and would ignite the fire that’s been out for some time in United’s midfielder.
The Roma man gets about the pitch with ease, is a real imposing physical presence and offers a goal threat too. He’d be an absolute hit with the United faithful.
Geoffrey Kondogbia
Kondogbia is another player who could be suited to the Premier League with his physical traits.
Similar in build to Yaya Toure, Kondogbia has years at the top ahead of him to improve and has already showcased his talent at Inter Milan under Roberto Mancini.
Modern Premier League midfields need players that can break up play as well as use the ball, and the former Monaco man fits the bill.
Bruno
Bruno is one of those players that gets better with age.
He enjoyed one of his best campaigns last season for Villareal in La Liga and that’s been reflected by the fact he’s been called up to the Spanish national side for EURO 2016.
He’s been at Villarreal his whole career so it might take some persuading for him to leave, but if United do come knocking and are successful, they’ll be getting a player at the top of his game and set to continue in this vein despite his age.
Julian Weigl
At the other end of the career timeline is the young German Weigl, who has established himself for German giants Borussia Dortmund.
Weigl marshals the defence and can control the tempo of the game, regardless of his relative inexperience, brilliantly and if United can see enough in his potential to make a bid, they’ll be securing on of the brightest midfielders in his age group.
Nemanja Matic
The Mirror have already reported this summer that a move to United could be on the cards for Matic and he’d certainly make a good impression for United.
Mourinho bought in the Serbian from Benfica to help Chelsea win the 2014/15 Premier League title.
Matic would give United something they currently lack and if he wants to leave Stamford Bridge, he could be available at a discount price.