Manchester United leading Liverpool in £50 million transfer race

Manchester United dealt with the January transfer window with a clearly set approach, with their transfer business revolving around outgoings on loan. The club let go of several struggling players last month, while adding nobody to their squad despite them being in the middle of a tough race to finish in the top four of the Premier League

For months, there were rumours of Manchester United being interested in signing a midfielder. Amadou Haidara, Boubacar Kamara and Denis Zakaria were all linked with a switch to Old Trafford.

While Haidara and Kamara have stayed where they were, Zakaria secured a move to Juventus from Borussia Monchengladbach in January.

Manchester United, on the other hand, appear to have set their eyes on the next summer transfer window when it comes to strengthening their midfield. West Ham United’s Declan Rice has been linked with the club for a long time, but with the England international being rated at a transfer fee around £100 million, it appears that the Red Devils have an alternative as well.

Manchester United are leading Liverpool and Arsenal in transfer race

As reported by la Repubblica (via The Sun), Manchester United appear to view Napoli’s Fabian Ruiz as their plan B, if they cannot land Rice. Liverpool and Arsenal are also believed to be in the race to sign him but the Red Devils remain in pole position.

Ruiz is known for his ability to spray around the ball and is one of the best creators in Serie A right now. But he also has the ability to march forward with the ball at his feet and is a great dribbler, meaning he can operate as a box-to-box midfielder as well. In that respect, he could be an all-around addition in the middle of the park for Manchester United.

Paul Pogba looks likely to leave the club at the end of the season while uncertainty looms over the futures of Donny van de Beek and Nemanja Matic as well. Thus, Ruiz could be a fantastic signing for Manchester United, but rumours have suggested that it might take a transfer fee around £50 million to sign him.