According to Talksport, Manchester United are among the clubs that are poised to make a move for Ruben Dias this summer. The SL Benfica defender reportedly has a release clause of €66 million, although the Portuguese giants are hoping to increase that sum to €120 million. But, clubs like Manchester United, FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are keen to trigger his current buyout clause before Benfica can agree on a new one this summer.
Ruben Dias’ rise to prominence
A product of the Benfica youth academy, Dias has been somewhat of a late bloomer if compared to his teammates like Joao Felix. But, the 22-year-old has become a crucial part of the Benfica backline since his promotion to the senior side back in 2017.
Dias made 24 league appearances during the 2017/18 campaign, in what was his breakout season at the club. He has now become an even more critical part of the Benfica setup, having been an ever-present figure in the backline in the recently concluded 2018/19 campaign.
The Portuguese international made 32 league appearances, helping the Eagles secure their 37th league title. His consistent performances at the back also helped him become a prominent part of the Portuguese national side as they secured the UEFA Nations League earlier this month.
What can Ruben Dias bring to the table?
Dias is known for his leadership qualities at the back and is tipped to be the next Benfica captain, should he remain at the club. His passion and commitment, coupled with his diligence in defence, makes him a solid defender adept in playing the ball out from the back.
Indeed, the 22-year-old has excellent ball playing skills and is capable of initiating counter attacks with his accurate long balls from the back. He is also quite strong when it comes to holding onto the ball, despite sporting a slender figure. Additionally, Dias is effective in the air as well, thanks to his tall 1.87m frame.
Is Ruben Dias the right choice for Manchester United?
Since the departure of Nemanja Vidic, Manchester United have lacked a bonafide leader at the back, which, in turn, has had a grave impact in their overall solidity as a defensive unit. Dias, in that regard, can be groomed into a world class defender and an even better leader.
He has an excellent mentality and could provide the much-needed aggression in Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer’s relatively young squad next season. Furthermore, Dias’ superior ball playing quality means he could combine well with an equally talented Victor Lindelof at the heart of Manchester United’s four-man backline.
Most importantly, the Benfica superstar will be a cost-effective option for United in their bid to sign a new centre-back this summer. Indeed, the Portuguese international’s €66 million valuation is considerably lower than the club’s other reported targets in the market, almost all of whom are likely to cost over €85 million.
