Unai Emery hints at the future of Manchester United target

Villarreal manager Unai Emery has opened up about the future of the Manchester United target, amidst reports that he might seek a move in January.

The mere disbalance within the squad and poor recruitment for years has now become an anecdote, leading Manchester United fans to believe that the void at right-wing could last for a long, long time.

The Red Devils came close to filling the gap last summer, only to turn their back on the deal for Jadon Sancho. Borussia Dortmund’s asking price of €120 million for the 20-year-old superstar seemed unjust in the eye of the United board. And hence, the move fell apart.

Although United went on to sign two right-wingers in Facundo Pellistri and Amad Diallo Traore on the deadline day of the window, both, at the age of 19, do not have the experience at the moment to start regularly for the Red Devils. They are deemed to be the ones for the future.

Recently emerged reports hinted at the club’s ambition to snap up another right-winger in the upcoming winter transfer window, with the name of Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze thought be on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s transfer wishlist.

However, Unai Emery, Villarreal’s manager, believes the player will keep providing sublime performances for his side amidst the rumours and talks of his apparent move out of the club.

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In a press conference, the former Arsenal manager said:

"“We are very happy with Samuel Chukwueze, he’s growing up with us at this club.“His performance is getting better little by little but above all, we want to achieve with him our performance with his skills and capacity. He’s young and has a very good future but first, he’s with us trying to get better with his performances for us and the national team.“In the future, he can go to another league to grow up more, but I think he’s very happy with us and every match he plays, he tries to give the best performance.”"

Besides Manchester United, Real Madrid and Everton have reportedly kept a close eye on Chukwueze as well. And it is encouraging that Emery refused to rule out a future transfer exit for the winger.

The Nigerian international is bound to the Yellow Submarine until June 2023. Playing in 90 matches for the La Liga side, the 21-year-old winger has scored 13 goals and recorded 12 assists so far.

That being said, Chukwueze could be a decent yet economical alternative for Jadon Sancho, if Manchester United do manage to agree a deal that is substantially below his €80 million release clause.