Manchester United has reportedly agreed to meet Real Madrid’s valuation for the highly-rated left-back, Miguel Gutierrez, as part of their summer transfer activities.
According to Spanish sources, this deal marks a significant move for the Red Devils as they aim to bolster their squad at Old Trafford.
Following a period of significant change at Manchester United, including Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a 27.7 percent stake in the club earlier this year, the club is poised for an eventful transfer window.
The recent appointment of Dan Ashworth as the new sporting director further solidifies their leadership team, setting the stage for strategic player acquisitions.
Transfer speculation has been rampant this summer, but well-known transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Manchester United is prioritizing the acquisition of a new left-back.
Romano highlighted the club’s intent last month, stating, “Manchester United will sign a left-back because they know Tyrell Malacia is struggling, and with Luke Shaw’s injuries this season, they need a young, talented, and important left-back.
This is the club’s plan, and it is also aligned with the manager’s vision.”
The necessity for a reliable left-back became evident last season when both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia faced injury woes, forcing Diogo Dalot to frequently play out of position on the left side.
Reports from Spain suggest that Miguel Gutierrez is seen as the solution to Manchester United’s left-back dilemma.
Gutierrez, who joined Girona in 2022, has been impressive during his time with the La Liga side, making 76 appearances across all competitions and playing a crucial role in their qualification for the Champions League last season.
Despite his contributions, Real Madrid has decided to exercise their buy-back option for Gutierrez, valued at a modest eight million euros, before looking to sell him.
However, Real Madrid is not planning to retain the young talent and has agreed to accept Manchester United’s offer of €40 million (£34 million) for Gutierrez.
This makes Manchester United the frontrunner in securing the Spanish international, despite competition from other top clubs like Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal.
Erik ten Hag, the Manchester United manager, is reportedly eager to add Gutierrez to his squad, driven by dissatisfaction with his current left-back options.
Ten Hag’s determination to strengthen this position underscores the importance of this transfer for the club.
In addition to Gutierrez, Manchester United is also monitoring other potential signings. Bologna’s director, Giovanni Sartori, has indicated that their player Joshua Zirkzee is almost certain to leave the club this summer, with a 99% chance of departure.
This has fueled speculation about Manchester United’s interest in Zirkzee as they continue to reshape their squad ahead of the new season.
With these developments, Manchester United fans can anticipate an exciting and transformative summer as the club works to secure key signings and reinforce its squad for future challenges.
