“He is the best replacement for Jadon Sancho. Now Sancho is doing well at Chelsea, we need to do better and sign him now that he is not expensive”-Man Utd set to launch £48 million bid for one of the world’s best attackers after Roy Keane praised and rated him so high.
Manchester United are reportedly planning to launch a significant bid of £48.5 million to sign a new attacking talent, after the player received glowing praise from club legend Roy Keane.
Throughout the summer transfer window, United primarily focused on enhancing their defensive and midfield options. They spent over £100 million on players like Manuel Ugarte and young prospect Leny Yoro to bolster the squad. Additional deals, including bringing Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui into the team, raised their total summer spending to more than £150 million. The club also acquired forward Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna for an initial fee of £38.5 million.
Despite their heavy investment in various positions, the winger role wasn’t considered a high priority for manager Erik ten Hag. The squad already had several versatile players who could operate on the flanks, such as Marcus Rashford, Amad Diallo, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, and Jadon Sancho. However, with Sancho leaving for Chelsea on loan at the close of the transfer window—with an obligation to make the move permanent—Manchester United now finds itself facing a potential shortage of options in wide attacking positions.
Antony, although highly rated, has struggled to earn a regular spot in the starting lineup this season. His only start came during United’s 7-0 triumph over Barnsley in the Carabao Cup. At the same time, Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho are fighting for game time, while Marcus Rashford has recently begun to regain his form. Yet, with these limited options, United may still find themselves short of depth on the wings by the time the next transfer window opens.
According to reports from the Spanish media outlet Fichajes, Manchester United is now seriously considering activating the release clause of Nico Williams, a 22-year-old winger from Athletic Bilbao. Williams caught the attention of many during Euro 2024, where he excelled on the left wing and played an instrumental role in helping Spain secure the championship. His standout performances at the tournament have made him one of the hottest young talents in European football.
Williams is known for his electrifying speed, a quality that would add a new dimension to United’s current attacking setup. His ability to stretch defenses with his pace and take on full-backs in one-on-one situations makes him a unique asset, different from the club’s existing options. While Barcelona also have their eyes on Williams, their ongoing financial struggles may prevent them from making a serious offer, leaving Manchester United as strong contenders to secure his signature.
The release clause in Williams’ contract is said to be set at £48.5 million, and Manchester United is reportedly preparing to trigger this clause in the upcoming summer transfer window.
During Euro 2024, Roy Keane, who was part of ITV’s commentary team, heaped praise on Nico Williams, describing him as a player of “pure quality.” Keane went on to highlight Williams’ remarkable speed, remarking, “You can’t coach pace. When he takes on a full-back one-on-one, it’s always trouble.” Keane’s comments further fuel speculation that Williams could be an ideal fit for Manchester United’s ambitions moving forward.
This potential move would continue United’s trend of investing in promising young talent to reshape the squad under Erik ten Hag, as the club looks to build a team capable of challenging for major trophies in the coming seasons.
