Manchester United could face frustration in their bid to sign PSG left-back Nuno Mendes this month, with the Ligue 1 side keen for the Portuguese star to stay.
The Red Devils have been heavily linked with a move for Mendes, with Ruben Amorim reportedly prioritizing a move to left-back following injuries to both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia this season.
Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui have filled in on the left since taking over in November, but according to the Telegraph, Amorim Mendes is now looking to make his first signing at Old Trafford to give himself more cover.
However, it is also claimed that United could hit a stumbling block in their bid to sign Mendes as PSG try to convince the player to stay.
It adds that they are unsure why the 22-year-old would leave the club for a team that does not play in the Champions League – and cannot offer the experience of competing in the Club World Cup next summer.
PSG want Mendes to sign a new contract with his current contract set to expire at the end of the 2025/26 season, although it is claimed he is reluctant to agree to new terms.
Amorim wants a left back who is familiar with his 3-4-3 system. Mendes knows how the 39-year-old likes to play, having played under him for over a year at Sporting Lisbon before joining the French side.
Mendes was a key figure under Amorim in the 2020/21 Primeira Liga season. He made 35 appearances before PSG initially picked him up on loan before paying his £31m buyout clause.
This season his playing time under boss Luis Enrique has been mixed, with eight starts in Ligue 1 so far, although he played the full 90 minutes in PSG's French Super Cup win over Monaco on Sunday.
The bottom line is that United are also likely to sell struggling midfielder Casemiro this month. The Brazilian joined Old Trafford from Real Madrid for £70m but has struggled to reproduce his performances from his time at the Bernabeu.
The 32-year-old has 18 months left on his contract but is set for a move to the Saudi Pro League, with ex-United man Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly playing a major role in trying to bring him to Al-Nassr.
Comments