Manchester United are reportedly in danger of missing out on their cherished target, Bernardo Silva, as competition to land the Ligue 1 sensation intensifies with the transfer window approaching soon. The Portuguese international has had a brilliant season with AS Monaco and is one of the hottest young prospects across Europe along with Monaco’s other stars.
Manchester United’s chances of finishing in the top four suffered a massive blow as they lost away to a struggling Arsenal side last week. Jose Mourinho’s men will be hugely banking on their Europa League campaign to qualify for Europe’s elite competition. And given that they have reached the final, it is quite a possibility.
Whatever happens on that front, one thing is for sure that Manchester United will be providing yet another mammoth transfer chest to boss Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese manager has had a nightmarish season this year with EFL Cup being the only silverware achieved so far, despite spending £150 million last summer. And he won’t stop shelling out cash until he gets the proper star-studded team he wants.
After the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba failed in the attacking third, Mourinho would be hoping Silva does the trick. And given Silva’s phenomenal season, he has every right to believe so. A right-winger by nature, Silva can play on the other flank as well through the centre.
In his 55 outings in all competitions under Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim, he has scored 10 times and provided 12 assists. His blistering pace on the ball complemented by sublime tricks and turns inside the penalty box makes him the next star to don the Portugal shirt after Cristiano Ronaldo.
Although at 173cm, he is definitely not a threat in aerial duels, his dribbling skills and incessant work rate more than makes up for that. Mourinho has quite brilliantly used Jese Lingard in that right-wing role this season, whose aggressive approach and heavy work rate has helped United to press higher quite effectively.
It could be said that Mourinho sees a polished version of Lingard in Silva, who can not only keep the pressure in the attacking third but also be lethal as soon as he gets the ball in and around the penalty box. However, United will face tremendous competition from league leaders Chelsea and La Liga giants Barcelona.
If reports in Spain are to be believed, Barca are willing to pay as much as £68 million for the emerging winger, and his agent Jorge Mendes is already on his way to finalise a deal with the Catalans.
