If Manchester United Fail To Sign Jadon Sancho, This $18M-Worth Winger Could Be Their Backup

Manchester United reportedly have identified Argentina winger Thiago Almada as an alternative transfer target if Jadon Sancho’s deal falls out ahead of the summer transfer market.

Apart from Almada, Man Utd are also understood to be monitoring the likes of David Brooks and Rabbi Matondo, as reported by Manchester Evening News. At the previous transfer window, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Co. targeted positions like right-back, center-back, and attacking midfield and which is why the Red Devils are looking to strengthen their right-wing options this summer.

The teenager, who made his first-team debut during the 2018-19 season, can play either on the ring-wing or through the middle as he has been playing for his Argentinian club. Almada, whose transfer fee is expected to be around $18 million, has attracted interest from various European clubs after producing impressive performances for his current club, Velez Sarsfield, in the Argentinian league, Primera División. In the ongoing 2019-20 season, the winger has netted five goals in 25 matches, across all competitions.

The report further stated that Manchester City came close to signing Almada last summer but the deal did not go through as the player ended up signing a new contract with Sarsfield.

While Man Utd are considering Almada as a back-up option for the upcoming transfer window, it has also been reported that given an option, the Argentine would pick Man City over the 20-time English champions.

Almada wants to move to Pep Guardiola’s Man City because of his idol Carlos Tevez, a former Man City star. Almada aims to follow Tevez’s footsteps, who reportedly inspired his playing style growing up. However, Tevez also played for Man Utd before moving to neighbors and derby rivals, Man City. Tevez made 63 appearances for Red Devils between 2007 and 2009 where he won six titles, including the Champions Leagues, the prestigious trophy which Man City is yet to add on their trophy cabinet.