Man United keeping watchful eye over young Portuguese trio
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Manchester United have held a keen interest in a number of rising Portuguese talents, if the regular links with Renato Sanches, Andre Gomes and Bernardo Silva in transfer gossip pages are to be believed.
Handily for the Red Devils, the international break allows them to kill three scouting birds with one stone, as all three prepare to play for their country in a friendly against Belgium.
Sanches, an 18-year-old central midfielder for Benfica, has been the most touted young star to attract United’s eye.
He made his international debut in A Selecco’s game against Bulgaria earlier in the week, but is expected to make his first start against the Belgians on Tuesday.
This season, Sanches has become a regular in Benfica’s first team, making 18 league appearances and gaining valuable Champions League experience too.
United’s desire to land the Lisbon native stretches back to the recent January transfer window, when the club had a £31m bid rejected for the player. Landing him this summer is likely to cost a pretty penny.
Valencia’s Andre Gomes has started to feature alongside Manchester United’s name in the rumour mill too. He also plays in central midfield and will be picking up his fifth Portugal cap if starting, as expected, against Belgium.
His playing style has been likened to that of former Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack and United may use their relationship with current Valencia boss Gary Neville to strike a deal, providing the former defender is still in charge beyond this season.
Monaco forward Silva is the most experienced international of the trio, having featured six times for Portugal.
He can operate on either wing or as a number 10 and has five goals and one assist in 26 Ligue 1 outings this term.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
