Manchester United, as expected, have been linked with a host of top players post the 2018-19 Premier League season as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to bring in a few players to take the Red Devils back to the top, challenging for the Premier League.
Solskjaer’s side are reportedly keen on signing Argentine central midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, who was previously linked with a move to Tottenham as well as Everton. The central midfielder currently plays for Spanish side Real Betis, who signed him just a few months ago for €22 million after having him on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. The report suggests that Spurs placed a bid of €60 million for Lo Celso but now Manchester United are also interested in signing him and have had discussions regarding the same.
Betis reportedly want a figure nearer to the €100 million release clause that Lo Celso currently has on his contract.
The Argentine signed with Paris Saint-Germain in 2016 for £8.5 million, featuring heavily in the 2017–18 season for the French side, but then fell out of favour. Lo Celso has been in fine form for Betis this season, scoring 17 times and ending the season with 5 assists. He was the highest goalscorer for the team, which finished 10th in the league and were knocked out of the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey by eventual champions, Valencia.
Will he be a good fit under Solskjaer?
Going by his goalscoring exploits, Lo Celso is the kind of player that Manchester United need. While Paul Pogba ended the season as Manchester United’s leading goalscorer (13 goals), a majority of them were from the penalty spot, while he also wasn’t consistent enough for a player of his calibre. Lo Celso could be the other midfielder who provides impetus from midfield, bombing ahead and driving them forward with his quick dribbling skills.
The Argentine, who can play behind the striker or in the middle of the park, could be the player who replaces Ander Herrera in the Manchester United starting XI, although he has different qualities to the Spaniard. Fred had a dreadful first season at Old Trafford while Nemanja Matic too didn’t impress much in the season, and looked a shadow of himself. Scott McTominay looks like someone who will make the deep midfield role his own in the coming days and will be the perfect foil for Pogba and someone like Lo Celso.
The 23-year-old Lo Celso could be the energetic and quick midfielder that United may need to always be on the front foot and create chances with his great close control, dribbling and passing.
But a €100 million price tag may be too expensive for a player who hasn’t played in the Premier League and there will surely have to be attempts at reaching a more reasonable figure with his club by Ed Woodward.
Stats Courtesy: Whoscored