Man Utd 'making checks' on Argentine Under-20s captain

Updated: 24 Oct 2024 09:19 CDT
4 min read

Erik ten Hag, Man Utd, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Manchester United are tracking a young talent out in South America, according to reports.

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The club's recruitment team have branched out to find unearthed gems across the globe, as part of Ineos' new ambition to be more shrewd in the market.

TBR Football has revealed that the Red Devils are hot in pursuit of Argentine Under-20 captain Julio Soler.

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Their report read: "Soler is currently starring for Lanus in his homeland and was recently part of the Argentina Olympic squad. A number of European clubs have been alerted to Soler’s progress and Liverpool were linked in the summer.

"TBR Football can confirm that United have been active in recent months, making checks on Soler – who is rated extremely highly in South America."

United are in need of a left-back going into 2025. Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have had huge injury concerns over the past 12 months and it's thought that a fresh face is needed to come in and rival the pair.

Man Utd's left-back search

FootballTransfers revealed yesterday that United were stepping up efforts to sign Girona left-back Miguel Gutierrez.

The defender has emerged as one of the standout left-backs in La Liga since leaving Madrid and we are told United’s chances of landing Gutierrez have significantly increased, with Ineos making him a key target as they look to bolster their left-back options.

At 23-year-old has established himself as a top talent after departing Real Madrid in search of regular playing time. Sources have told us that United have now made him their top transfer target. The club will decide whether to make a play for the Spanish defender in the January window or wait until the summer.

Erik ten Hag has stressed the importance of carefully managing their returns to avoid further setback and sources indicate that United’s recruitment team is closely monitoring potential replacements for Shaw and Malacia, with Gutierrez at the top of the list.

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The club's interest in the Spaniard is further fueled by Real Madrid’s focus on Davies, which would leave the door open for United to strike a deal for Gutierrez. The Spanish giants have a buyback clause for the defender, allowing them to re-sign him for €8–9 million in 2024 or 2025.

Additionally, Real Madrid possess the right of first refusal, meaning they can match any offer made by another club. To complicate matters further, the La Liga powerhouse retains a 50% sell-on clause, ensuring they would benefit financially from any potential sale.

Gutierrez currently has a release clause of €35m in his contract with Girona, which runs until 2027. The former Real Madrid academy product left the Bernabeu in 2022 in search of first-team opportunities, signing a five-year deal with Girona.

Read more about: Premier League, Lanus, Man Utd