Warren Zaire-Emery has emerged as a target for Manchester United this week, with Fabrizio Romano breaking down whether a move to Old Trafford is possible for the Paris Saint-Germain starlet.
The Third Man (United Midfielder)
The Red Devils have already signed two midfielders this month, agreeing a £50 million deal with Chelsea for Brazilian dynamo Andrey Santos before triggering a £35 million release clause in Aston Villa maestro Youri Tielemans’ contract.
But the club, at the request of Michael Carrick, is “intent on signing a third” option to bolster their engine room ahead of a return to the Champions League next season, with Kobbie Mainoo the only option with a long-term future in M16.
Casemiro has already departed after INEOS ruled against extending his contract. The 34-year-old Brazilian is expected to join MLS side Inter Miami on a free transfer. Furthermore, Manuel Ugarte – who the club also planned to shift – has suffered a serious knee injury, derailing his departure.
With the increased workload of midweek fixtures in Europe’s elite competition, and the hope for deeper runs in the cup competitions, depth will be as important for Carrick as the starting XI he was able to rely so heavily on last season.
Having failed in pursuits of Elliot Anderson, Mateus Fernandes and Aurelien Tchouameni, United are understood to have zeroed in on Alex Scott as a new priority. AFC Bournemouth have no intention of selling the 22-year-old, however.
Earlier today, a report from France relayed by The Peoples Person claimed the Red Devils were interested in signing Zaire-Emery. It was even said a bid worth £51 million was being prepared for the France international.
A Dream Target
Fabrizio Romano has offered his insight on Manchester United’s pursuit, revealing Zaire-Emery is more of a “dream target, rather than a real target” at Old Trafford, given PSG are not interested in a sale.
Fresh from defending their Champions League title, becoming only the second club in the modern era of the competition to do so, following Real Madrid in 2017, PSG are riding high. Despite their dazzling frontline, including Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembele, the real strength of Luis Enrique’s side is their midfield.
Comprised of the triumvirate of Vitinha, Joao Neves and Fabian Ruiz, there is no side in Europe capable of competing with this combination, who are as quick with their feet as they are with their minds.
Zaire-Emery is an important rotational piece, making 54 appearances in all competitions, notching three goals and five assists in the process. He has even filled in at right-back when Achraf Hakimi was unavailable, underscoring his importance to Enrique.
There is a growing sense, however, that the 20-year-old is not making the progress his early promise suggested, which led Arsene Wenger to describe him as “unstoppable”. In the absence of first-team starts, Zaire-Emery has begun to be stopped; or, at least, slowed.
But why would an all-conquering team look to change something that is not broken? Romano confirms as such, noting the Parc des Princes hierarchy, as well as Enrique and his coaching staff, are “very happy” with all of their midfielders.
“My understanding is Paris Saint-Germain are not planning to change anything in midfield. PSG want to stay with the players they have…right now. A new deal is done for Fabian Ruiz. They are working on several things at the club – but, at the moment, they are very happy with the midfield they have.”
As a result, the Italian transfer expert describes United’s pursuit of Zaire-Emery as “difficult [and] complicated”, leading him to the aforementioned description of a move being more of an aspiration than a reality.
Final Thoughts
While a deal for Zaire-Emery feels unlikely, INEOS have already shown a willingness to go all-out for a “super talent” in Ligue 1, having made Leny Yoro the second-most expensive teenage defender in history when signing him from Lille. If lightning strikes twice with the PSG starlet, Manchester United’s midfield would have gone from a weakness at the start of the summer window to one of its strengths.
Featured image Alex Grimm via Getty Images
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