When the Portuguese media reports the list of clubs who sent scouts to a specific game, Manchester United will be included more often than not.
The Red Devils watch many local matches there every week, and that’s why it’s hard to know who they’re actually interested in.
Now according to a piece from newspaper Jornal de Notícias, one of the players monitored by the Old Trafford side is Sporting’s João Palhinha.
The story says Manchester United watched the midfielder in the Lions’ clash against Porto last week. The Red Devils’ visit to the Estádio do Dragão had already been reported by the local media, and now it’s the first time their target is identified.
Ralf Rangnick’s side are now said to be one of the clubs who could take Palhinha to the Premier League this summer, following the many links he’s already had with English sides.
Jornal de Notícias says Palhinha is likely to leave Sporting at the end of the season. His agents already had approaches for him in the January transfer window and are already there’ll be a big ‘opening’ to let him go in the summer.
The midfielder is protected by a release clause worth €60m, and the minimum price requested by the Lions will be of €30m.
Given Palhinha’s success in the past couple of years, it’d be no surprise to see him in the Premier League soon, although Manchester United should be aware of the local competition for his signing.
