Manchester United have agreed a deal for Brazilian midfielder Fred but that is just the start of a number of signings Jose Mourinho is planning for the club this summer. And one name that is constantly doing the rounds is Richarlison.
Watford Want At Least £40m For Richarlison
A transfer target for Chelsea and Marco Silva at Everton, the 21-year old is one of the most exciting youngsters on display in the Premier League last season and has been linked with an exit ever since. Manchester United are one of the many clubs interested in his services and reports now claim that Watford are ready to let him leave for anything over £40m.
Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur were also credited with an interest earlier in the year but is he a player United should sign?
Richarlison And His Rise
Having joined Watford from Fluminense for just £11.2m last summer, the 21-year old took no time to establish himself in England at the start of the season. Under Marco Silva, the current Everton boss, Richarlison racked up five goals and four assists in 13 Premier League games but seemed to have lost his spark after Silva was sacked from Vicarage Road.
He did retain his place in the first team but managed to add just one assist to his numbers, slipping drastically in terms of form. It was his debut season in England and was almost as productive as his campaign in Fluminense last season, so it can be said that the 21-year old is heading in the right direction at the moment.
A gifted winger with great technique, close control and decent pace, Richarlison is also strong in the air and in hold play and is perfect for the English game. He can create chances for his side from wide areas but can also cut in and create havoc in counter-attacking situations and is a player who can make things happen out of nothing.
At just 21, he will certainly take more time to find the consistency top sides need in the Premier League but at his age, he has shown enough potential for the best teams in the country to be interested in his services.
Where Does He Fit?
Capable of playing on either flank or even as a false-9, the Brazilian footballer has a natural flair, that makes him hard to mark. Manchester United are devoid of genuine wingers in the squad at the moment and Richarlison could be a decent acquisition.
While Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku will hold up two of the three attacking spots, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard are favourites to play that role, on the right wing. But neither is as well equipped as Richarlison to perform there, making the Watford man a necessity.
United are ready to spend on one of the best wingers at the moment in Gareth Bale, but the Welshman will have to walk into the first team, which will push a number of star players onto the bench. But with Richarlison, Mourinho can take his time to integrate him into his side, also adding competition, helping his players improve as a group.