Unexpected transfer boost
Red Devils could be a step closer to a new defensive signing this summer due to a Brexit rule which recently came into play
MANCHESTER UNITED have been given a boost by an unlikely source in their pursuit of Atletico Madrid right-back Kieran Trippier – Brexit.
With La Liga’s regulation surrounding British players recently expired, Atletico now have a serious decision to make regarding whether it is worth their while to keep hold of the England defender.
La Liga rules dictate that teams can only register three non-EU players in their squad.
British players were excluded from this rule for a buffer period, given the previous uncertainty which surrounded Brexit and its timescale.
As of the end of June, that period is now over, which means Spanish clubs must put serious thought into signing British players in the future, or indeed keeping them on in Trippier’s case.
At present, Diego Simeone’s side are all booked up with the likes of Renan Lodi, Felipe and Trippier himself.
The side will be thankful that new signing, Rodrigo De Paul, has an Italian passport so he can slot in without worry.
However, they have Nehuen Perez and Santiago
Arias waiting in the wings, both of which must leave the club, whether temporary or permanent, if Trippier stays at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Quite simply, this means that if the Englishman is to stay in the Spanish capital, it would cause their hierarchy something of a headache in finding a home for their surplus non-EU players.
Put in a different way, allowing Trippier to leave would, in some ways, do Atletico a favour.
This will undoubtedly be music to the ears of Manchester United who have been tailing the former Tottenham man this summer.
Rumours have ramped up even further as late, with an £18 million (RM104m) move touted to follow the possible arrival of Raphael Varane from Real Madrid.
Now into his thirties, a move back to his homeland will always be worth considering for Trippier who only came through the
academy down the road at Manchester City.
Meanwhile, Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been warned pressure on his job will increase if the club continue to sign players of the calibre of Raphael Varane.
United have already agreed to sign Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund for a fee of £73m (RM423m). Sancho had his medical last week and an official announcement is expected shortly.
Varane is the next top target, with the Real Madrid star
having entered the final year of his contract at the Bernabeu.
Arsenal legend Ray Parlour believes Solsjkaer will know the pressure is on
him to succeed in the upcoming season.
Parlour claims the big signings Solskjaer is being provided with will only increase that pressure and he can see United changing managers if no silverware is won next term.
“I think (Solskjaer’s) a realistic man,” Parlour said on talkSPORT.
“You’re getting backed because you’re buying players you want – you’ve got to deliver as a manager. Some people have probably question-marked Ole a little bit at times.
“That (Europa League) final was disappointing, they should be beating (Villarreal) really. I was disappointed that Arsenal didn’t beat them, probably at the time Manchester United were a better team.
“So that was a really disappointing end to the season. But they got into the Champions League, which is very important.
“Now, it’s about winning trophies and he has been backed, he can’t complain about not spending money because they have.
“But you’ve got to deliver as a manager and if you don’t, in the Premier League you’ve seen it so many times, you don’t get a chance.
“We’ve seen (Jose) Mourinho get sacked before a cup final at Spurs. So it’s all about results and it’s all about winning trophies.
“I think Ole knows that and if they don’t do that and they don’t deliver, they’ll be looking for another manager.”
Parlour does believe the arrival of Varane should give United a better chance of ending their wait for a Premier League title.
“Well certainly Varane is a top quality player, I was really impressed with him during the Euros, he’s an excellent defender, so that will be a great signing for Manchester United,” Parlour added.
“I think that (Harry) Maguire and (John) Stones were a very good partnership during the Euros and I can imagine Maguire and Varane will be a decent partnership.
“If you’ve got a good defence you’ve always got a chance, and with the attacking players they’ve got, and with Sancho coming in, it will give them a much better chance of getting closer and challenging for that title.” – Express Newspapers