Manchester United failed with a last-minute hijack attempt for Amadou Onana | OneFootball

After improving the defence and the forward line, Manchester United’s next port of call in the summer window is midfield reinforcements.

They are looking at Manuel Ugarte of Paris Saint-Germain and have even agreed on personal terms. But unless player sales are made, bringing in the Uruguayan will not be easy.

Even if they were to sign the former Sporting Lisbon star, the midfield still looks short on depth and bringing in more than one midfielder might be the way forward.

Journalist Sacha Tavolieri has claimed that the Red Devils tried to hijack Aston Villa’s move for Everton midfield destroyer Amadou Onana.

Onana hijack attempt

The Belgian was a long-term target for the 20-time English league champions, with his potential and Premier League experience impressing INEOS.

They even promised a larger wage packet to the Belgium international but the 22-year-old had already given his word to Unai Emery and has chosen to keep his promise.

He is cutting short his holiday to complete the deal as soon as possible to avoid any further hiccups. He is due to sign a five-year deal with the Villans.

“Manchester United did a LAST MINUTE hijack for Amadou Onana ! MUFC was matching Aston Villa Football Club’s offer with higher financial terms, but Onana had given his word to Unaï Emery and prioritised the sporting project.

“Amadou Onana turning back from Holidays will fly to Birmingham in order to make his medical tests and complete his move with AVFC on Sunday.

Ugarte the main target

“Final detailed agreement on the verge of being found between EvertonFC & AVFC: £45M as a transfer fee and £5M as a bonus + 10% on the added value/profit. As Revealed here on Saturday 13th July, it’s well and truly a 5 years contract,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

With Onana’s sale close to completion, United’s chances of securing Jarrad Branthwaite could also be slipping away with the Toffees no longer requiring to sell to balance the books.

In Onana’s case, INEOS showed they mean business by trying to hijack the deal but they must have known there was little chances of success and hence moved on to Ugarte.

The new co-owners have so far displayed a ruthless streak in the market, getting Joshua Zirkzee on the cheap, while beating Real Madrid to Leny Yoro‘s signature.

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