United move for Porto defender Telles after missing Reguilon
Manchester United are in talks to sign the Porto left-back Alex Telles. The 27-year-old Brazilian has been targeted by United after they missed out on Sergio Reguilon, who has joined Tottenham Hotspur from Real Madrid.
United refused to agree to a buyback clause in Reguilon’s contract, allowing Real to re-sign the 23-yearold for a fixed valuation, leaving the way open for Tottenham to sign the Spain international for a fee that could rise to €35 million (£32.1 million). United have long been linked with a move for Telles and it is understood that negotiations are now finally under way with his representative, the super-agent Pini Zahavi, over a long-term deal.
It is clear United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is seeking greater depth at left-back. Telles has long been linked with a move to the Premier League and it is believed personal terms will not be a problem although a fee is yet to be agreed with his club. It is understood Porto may accept a fee of around €20 million (£18.23 million) for Telles.
Meanwhile, Solskjaer has admitted he is unsure how Harry Maguire will be affected mentally by his Greek arrest ordeal.
The Manchester United captain was given a suspended 21-month prison sentence after being found guilty of aggravated assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery just days after allegedly assaulting a policeman during a brawl on the Greek island of Mykonos last month. Maguire, 27, maintains his innocence and has launched an appeal, but the case could take more than a year to come to court.
Solskjaer has stood firmly by his captain, who claimed he feared for his life during his arrest by plainclothed police officers, but the United manager admitted the issue is bound to play on the England defender’s mind and that he would have to monitor the situation
“The process will keep going,” Solskjaer said. “Knowing Harry, he’s a very strong character so, hopefully, he can put that apart but, naturally, it will be in back of mind what’s happened.
“You have just got to see how it develops with Harry. Personally I think he will be able to focus on his football, but then you can’t predict how people will react but so far he’s trained well, he’s been focused so hopefully that process will just go on and of course we know it’s something that will go on in the legal department over there.”