Man Utd stance on signing 'the next Lionel Messi' with £22.3m release clause - 7M sport

Man Utd stance on signing 'the next Lionel Messi' with £22.3m release clause



Posted Monday, June 08, 2020 by Express.co.uk

Man Utd stance on signing 'the next Lionel Messi' with £22.3m release clause
Man Utd have not made an approach to sign 'the next Lionel Messi' (Image: GETTY)

Manchester United have been keeping tabs on 'the next Lionel Messi'.

Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Argentine wonderkid Thiago Almada, who has been dubbed the 'next Lionel Messi'. However, it is claimed no negotiations have yet been made with the 19-year-old midfielder.

There have been recent suggestions in the Spanish press that United were making the first move to sign Almada.

But Stretty News claims to have spoken to sources at the teenager's Superliga club Velez Sarsfield, who say no approach has been made.

Real Madrid, Manchester City, AC Milan and Inter Milan have all been keeping tabs on the highly-rated youngster.

Almada has scored five goals and registered two assists in 25 appearances this season.

He has recently penned a four-year contract but that includes a relatively modest £22.3million release clause.

Almada was asked about his future earlier this month and he told TNT Sport: "I saw the rumours, but I haven’t been told anything, neither my representative, nor the club, nor anything.

"I don’t even think about it. Now I want to continue giving to the club, then I will see what happens and what is best for me and my family. Now I have my head in Velez."

If United are to move for Almada they may have an issue if cross-town rivals City also match their terms.

"I really like Manchester City," the playmaker confessed.

"I watched Carlos Tevez when he played on Saturday mornings.

"I play as Manchester City on PlayStation, I always liked them."

Almada fits in with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's recruitment policy of taking talented youngsters to Old Trafford.

The Red Devils boss is hoping his side can capture Birmingham City's 16-year-old star Jude Bellingham this summer.

Man Utd stance on signing 'the next Lionel Messi' with £22.3m release clause
Thiago Almada is being watched by many of Europe's powerhouses (Image: GETTY)

He is also pushing forward with approaches for 20-year-old winger Jadon Sancho, while Jack Grealish, 24, is on United's radar.

Former United defender Gabriel Heinze coached Almada at Velez Sarsfield before leaving his role earlier this year.



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