Manchester United do not intend to sign any players in January but are continuing to draw up a list of targets for the summer with Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann and Bernardo Silva of Monaco among them.
Jose Mourinho’s priority has been to add a new defensive midfielder and centre-back but the attacking flair provided by Griezmann and Silva have made them attractive options for the summer in what promises to be a highly competitive market.
United’s concern is that Griezmann and Silva have plenty of admirers with Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal, Paris St Germain, Juventus and Barcelona also keen.
Monaco attacking midfielder Silva is managed by Jorge Mendes and has blossomed this season.
Tipped to become one of the greatest players in football by former Portugal international Deco, Chelsea, Juventus and Barcelona have already made contact over the 22-year-old.
Silva scored twice at the weekend in the 4-1 defeat of Marseille and impressed United scouts as he figured alongside defensive midfielder Tiemue Bakayoko and versatile Fabinho, two others Mourinho is well briefed on.
Silva is a graduate from Benfica’s famed academy and United staff have been resident at the Lisbon club’s first team games all season regularly watching Victor Lindelof, Nelson Semedo and 20-year-old winger Goncalo Guedes, a favourite with Arsenal scouts.
There is no doubt United have the financial muscle and the ambition though Champions League qualification would help cement their status as a club back on the up under Mourinho.
Chelsea and City are both keen to strengthen as are Barcelona and PSG while Real Madrid will also come back into contention. United will need to move quickly to gain the advantage.
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