Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has claimed that rumoured Manchester United transfer target Vitinha was not a ‘priority’ for Erik ten Hag.
According to reports in the Portuguese media, the Red Devils were keen on trying to sign the Porto midfielder this summer. However, it looks as though Paris Saint-Germain will win the race for the 22-year-old signature after they were said to have agreed upon a deal.
Now though, while speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano has claimed that United’s interest never developed that deeply because Ten Hag didn’t feel as though he wanted the player.
The journalist explained (2:04): “Let me say that Manchester United have never made a proposal to Porto for Vitinha. Never had a direct conversation like saying, ‘How much [do] you want for this player, how much he’s worth?’ Or these kinds of things even.
“Because they knew that Porto wanted the release clause for Vitinha and also at the same point it was not a name mentioned internally by Erik Ten Hag.
“So from what I’m told, Ten Hag was not asking for Vitinha as a priority target for Manchester United.”
Will Man United regret not trying to sign Vitinha?
No
Yes
TIF thoughts on Vitinha and Manchester United…
Vitinha played 30 times in the league for Porto last season, and clearly was a key factor in helping his club win the Liga Portugal with a number of fine performances that have helped truly establish his reputation a top prospect.
He of course is known by fans of the Premier League for his spell with Wolves, and this could perhaps explain why he may have been on United’s radar – even though, according to Romano, it does sound as if they never really held a strong interest in the player.
With the Red Devils also heavily linked with Frenkie de Jong at Barcelona, Ten Hag may well have his heart set on the Dutchman instead. If that is the case, it’s easy to see why the new manager didn’t see Vitinha as a priority amid rivalling interest from PSG.