Manchester United are reportedly planning a £30m approach for Valencia’s Joao Cancelo. The Portuguese footballer has been earmarked as a probable option to compete for the right-back spot with Antonio Valencia.
According to The Mirror, Jose Mourinho is keen on recruit a long-term replacement for Valencia and Cancelo has emerged as a possible target alongside Southampton’s Cedric Soares.
Inter Milan currently have the option of securing a permanent deal for Cancelo after loaning him during the 2017/18 season, but their reluctance to do so could revive United’s pursuit of the right-back.
The full-back positions are said to be a point of focus for Mourinho for the summer and there have already been talks of Alex Sandro emerging as a possible candidate to strengthen the left-back spot.
As such, any arrival could be compensated with likely exits from Old Trafford and the positions of Daley Blind, Matteo Darmian and Luke Shaw remain in serious doubt.
United currently have Timothy Fosu-Mensah who could potentially succeed Valencia on the right side of the defence but Mourinho does not seem to have much confidence in the Dutchman.
Fosu-Mensah was instrumental during the first half of his season-long loan with Crystal Palace last term but towards the end, he was largely benched with Aaron Wan-Bissaka preferred ahead of him.
Cancelo earmarked as a probable option to compete for the right-back spot with Antonio Valencia. That should be the other way round, Valencia should be the second choice. United need youthful, energetic backs and if Cancelo is bought should be first choice. No good spending all that money to sit him on the bench.