2 weeks Ago By Jonny Maze
Manchester United are expected to have a blockbuster summer, with an overhaul needed to revamp a squad poorly built for Erik ten Hag.Due to this, Ruben Amorim is expected to be backed to the fullest extent this summer, with Ineos already making moves with a handful of deals progressing.It is thought that Manchester United will complete a deal to sign Matheus Cunha long before the season ends, with the next week looking decisive.
READ: Who is Man Utd target Matheus Cunha? Age, position, stats, release clause and Rio Ferdinand recommendationBut this will only be the beginning, with United expected to ship out at least 10 players this summer and so there would have to be substantial incomings to rebuild the squad.There are thought to be four priority positions for United this summer, and one of these is to bolster the midfield with Casemiro likely on the list to sell and Christian Eriksen departing for free.Atalanta midfielder Ederson has been linked as a top option for United in midfield, but now another Serie A midfielder has emerged to be a top target.
READ MORE: Who are INEOS? Exploring Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s billion-pound businessPhoto by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty ImagesManchester United join race to sign Stanislav Lobotka from NapoliWhile a priority, midfield appears to be lower on the list than a few positions for United, which could mean that any addition will be less of a blockbuster addition, with Ederson potentially costing north of £50m.Now, according to Tutto Mercato, Napoli’s Stanislav Lobotka has emerged as an option in midfield, with his future in Naples now considered to be up in the air.Napoli are expected to reshuffle their midfield group, and selling Lobotka could spark that process to life with his wage of £58,859-a-week, according to Capology, thought to be useful for the Serie A side.
The Slovakian is valued at £34m by Napoli and interested clubs will have to offer close to that in order to open negotiations. United and PSG are named as suitors while Barcelona are also in the running.Lobotka is a brilliant footballer; however, in terms of his age and profile, he doesn’t exactly fit what Ineos’ recruitment policy has been thus far.
Due to this, it does seem like a deal which might not be option A or B this summer, but is on the list to bolster Amorim’s side nonetheless.READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Man Utd’s new head coach – Ruben AmorimStanislav Lobotka endorsed by Cesc Fabregas and XaviLobotka rose to stardom in Napoli’s 2023 Scudetto title-winning side and has quietly remained one of Serie A’s most impactful players, with Como boss Cesc Fabregas raving over the midfielder.“Napoli have many players who have won the league, like Lobotka.
Please, give me Lobotka. What a player, Mamma Mia,” Fabregas raved to Corriere dello Sport.“He is marvellous,” continued the former midfielder.
“Players like this make you win games for their ability to understand football and recover many balls. I go crazy for players like this.”Fabregas’ former Spain teammate, and Barcelona legend Xavi, who was also a United manager candidate in 2024, also had plenty of praise for Lobotka, admitting he wanted him to join the La Liga giants.
“I like Lobotka; he is good in the build-up and doesn’t lose possession,” he said to Mundo Deportivo. “I’d like to see him in a club like Barca.”.
