Recent reports from Italian media outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport (as cited by talkSPORT) suggest that Manchester United have joined AS Roma and Napoli in the race to sign highly-rated Benfica full-back Nuno Tavares.
Earlier this week, in an interview to Radio Marte, agent Cesar Boaventura confirmed United’s interest in the youngster.
“Manchester United or Naples? This player can play in any club in Europe” – Boaventura stated.
“He’s young. Maybe he’s not a player ready for a big one. But he could be in the future. Within a couple of years. He can become one of the best in Europe.”
Tavares’ Impressive Rise In Portuguese Football
Having come through the ranks at Sport Lisboa e Benfica, Nuno Tavares made his debut for the senior team in 2019, and it’d be fair to say that he hasn’t looked back since. The 20-year-old has featured in 33 matches for the Eagles over the past year, racking up a goal and seven assists concurrently.
With his central strength lying in building up attacks down the left-hand side, Tavares fits the definition of a modern-day wing-back, and the same is evident from the numbers he has put up on the board this season. Over the thirteen appearances he has made this term, Tavares averages 0.8 key passes, 1.3 dribbles, and 0.9 crosses per 90 minutes across all competitions. Besides, the youngster possesses key attributes like agility, strength and vision – the qualities that have helped him emerge as one of Portugal’s most gifted modern full-backs.
Cesar Boaventura described him as one of the fastest players in the Portuguese top-flight.
“Nuno Tavares? Left-handed, fast player, one of the fastest players in the entire Portuguese league. It has to learn and grow. I know that Napoli really like Grimaldo. And he has a great interest in the player. He has Grimaldo in front of him at the moment. What I can say is that if the player has opportunities to grow he will. Benfica ask for a lot of money. Because he too has some of the most important talents right now.”
Should Solskjaer Go In For Him?
Well, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has plenty of options to choose from when it comes to the left-back department – Luke Shaw, Alex Telles and Brandon Williams being some of them. Besides, the Norwegian coach has other issues to address before he decides to add to his options at the back.
However, with the arrival of highly-rated youngsters like Facundo Pellistri and Amad Diallo, it’s quite clear that the board hasn’t been hesitant about investing in some of the most promising talents from across the globe, so it won’t be surprising if the Red Devils end up adding Tavares to their ranks in the coming months.
(Stats from WhoScored)
