Manchester United are preparing an eye-watering offer for one Real Madrid star, as a statement of intent from new owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
That's according to incredible reports that say the Red Devils are set to smash their transfer record, which currently stands at around £90 million. Paul Pogba returned to Old Trafford in 2016 for that amount, with Manchester United coming close to paying that amount on a few occasions since.
Antony and Harry Maguire both cost over £85m – but this summer could mark the first £100m+ transfer, with Real Madrid offloading a star.
Defensa Central says that United are will pay as much as €150m for Rodrygo in their bid for the Brazilian, with his future at Old Trafford unclear given the imminent arrivals of countryman Endrick and World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe.
United are far from the only side interested, if reports are to be believed, however. Cadena Ser in Spain claims Liverpool have made contact over a deal for the 23-year-old, with Sport adding Manchester City and Arsenal to the interested parties list.
While the prospect seems exciting, however, in FourFourTwo's view, the idea of Manchester United spending over £120m on Rodrygo is fanciful, at best. The interest may well be genuine – if not at an early stage in the transfer process – but the apparent fee should be taken with a huge pinch of salt.
United are under new ownership and while financial concerns aren't as prevalent this summer as last, they haven't been eradicated to the point where a nine-figure deal seems feasible. Furthermore, the optics of Sir Jim Ratcliffe committing huge funds to big names would be risky, given that this has been a tactic that's never worked under the Glazer ownership.
Rodrygo is valued at €100m by Transfermarkt.
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United's summer transfer wishlist has been drawn up. There could be a major U-turn over Jadon Sancho, while one surprise Serie A star has been linked. In another shock move for the Red Devils, a Championship coach could be hired.
Meanwhile, former United star Rio Ferdinand has picked a player who was underrated from his era.
