TheReligion
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Sticking with “realistic” options (while we would all love for Sancho to join United, he isn't exactly realistic and the signing would be contingent on some things beyond our control)...
- Olmo (Dinamo Zagreb): kinda wasted in the Croatian league, honestly – particularly after a stellar U-21 EURO turnout. Don't think he's in any way less talented than Maddison, but won't cost as much while being quite versatile as a side midfielder, attacking midfielder or forward. Spend the leftover £30-40 million on a leftback, which continues to be a problematic area...or possibly Camavinga from Rennes as an investment for the future or Lisandro from Ajax (versatile defender/midfielder).
- Szoboszlai (RB Salzburg): lovely midfield talent (comparable to Pjanić at Lyon/Roma, only more physical) who could control the proceeding once he's more mature and going under the radar of late because of Håland's ridiculous goal-scoring exploits. In Muppetlandia both will join United...
- Guimarães (Athletico Paranaense): every once in a while Brazil produces gritty all-action midfielders like Allan or Casemiro, and Guimarães might be next in the production line. Needs to be more disciplined but that will come with experience.
By no means the most experienced or ready-to-deliver Front-6, but there's a lot of talent in there (which aligns with our supposed modus operandi) and harnessing even 80-90% of it will give you a really good unit. Plus, you can switch things around because of the versatility of all three (e.g. if Sancho joins, you can move Olmo to midfield).
You have to hope we are seriously looking at these kind of players in amongst the likes of Sancho and Maddison.
It's very frustrating and difficult to understand when talented players fly under the radar for seemingly no reason. The Norwegian contingent including Berge and Harland must surely be worth a try too.