Man Utd “very close” to agreement to sign £25m star

It’s truly unthinkable where Manchester United would be without Bruno Fernandes, with the Portuguese international undoubtedly the shining light in the 2024/25 campaign.

The 30-year-old managed to register a total of 37 combined goals and assists throughout the most recent season – by far and away the highest tally of any player in the squad.

The £47m paid for his signature back in 2020 now appears to be a bargain, racking up just shy of 300 appearances for the club and hopefully many more in the club’s quest to return to their former glory.

However, if he is to lead the side to any success during Ruben Amorim’s reign, the hierarchy need to back the 40-year-old in his quest within the transfer market.

Whilst Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have already arrived at Old Trafford, further additions are also expected to help the side rise up the Premier League table.

Man United close in midfield agreement

Douglas Luiz has been a player on United’s shortlist for a sustained period, but it appears they could be handed a boost in their pursuit of the Juventus star.

The midfielder’s agent has already travelled to England for talks with various sides, with the Red Devils interested along with Nottingham Forest, Leeds United and Everton.

However, he’s not the only midfielder in their sights, with Valencia star Javi Guerra another target during the current window, according to El Chiringuito.

They claim that Amorim’s side are “very close to reaching an agreement” this summer, with a £25m fee mooted for the youngster’s signature.

The report also states that his current side have tried to tie the Spaniard down to a new contract, but he wants a move to a bigger club during the off-season.

Why United’s latest target would take Bruno to the next level

Bruno’s impressive tally of combined goals and assists last season certainly saved United from a disastrous Premier League finish, but upon reflection, his efforts were even more remarkable than they originally appeared.

The Portuguese international often featured in a slightly deeper role, forcing him to operate in a somewhat unnatural position which should’ve restricted his efforts within attacking areas.

There’s no denying that the experienced talent is better in a more attacking role, subsequently able to have more of an impact within the final third – which will improve their goalscoring record.

However, any move for Guerra could enable him to do just that, with the Spaniard able to fill the void in the middle of the park and push Fernandes further forward.

Offering depth is one thing, but he has all the tools to make an impact within Amorim’s side, but also has the potential to improve further in the years ahead, given his tender age.

When delving into his stats from LaLiga last season, the Valencia talent showcased his skillset, potentially being a bargain given his £25m asking price.

Guerra, who’s been labelled “special” by analyst Ben Mattinson, managed to register 4.8 progressive passes and 4.2 passes into the final third per 90 – having the ability to provide Bruno with the added chances he needs in the final third.

He also attempted 2.7 take-ons per 90, along with 1.5 carries into the final third – showcasing his ability to get the ball into the opposition’s defensive third.

Out of possession, the youngster had also won 1.7 tackles per 90, winning 46% of the tackles he entered, having the ball-winning capability that could make him the perfect deep-lying option.

If the Spaniard can transfer his skillset over to England with him, it would be one of the bargains of the summer window, massively bolstering the options at Amorim’s disposal.

Such an arrival would hand Bruno the licence to build on his success in 2024/25, with his talents subsequently pushing the side up the table next campaign.

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