According to Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United were offered the chance to sign Leandro Paredes this summer before they pulled off a deal for Casemiro.
The midfield was a huge area of importance for the Red Devils in the transfer window, and while they lost out on signing Frenkie de Jong and Adrien Rabiot, they managed to land Casemiro in a deal worth £70m.
However, it was recently revealed that they had the chance to sign another star midfielder who has become surplus to requirements at his current club before they went in for the Brazilian from Real Madrid.
Romano revealed this player to be Paredes from Paris Saint-Germain, who eventually made a move to Italian giants Juventus, but United turned down this opportunity as they wanted to wait a bit after missing out on Rabiot.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said: “Man United had a possibility. It was Leandro Paredes from Paris Saint-Germain, who was one of the players offered to Manchester United. They wanted to wait a bit on the market after missing Adrien Rabiot.
“They wanted to wait for Casemiro and at the end they signed Casemiro and they’re super happy, but Paredes was one of the secret options offered to Man United; they decided not to proceed.”
TIF Thoughts on Romano’s comments…
Paredes has been a good player for PSG, and while he could have continued this form at United, there is no doubt Casemiro was the better option, at least on paper, as he was an integral part of a Real Madrid side that won five Champions League trophies.
The Red Devils needed to bring in a defensive-minded midfielder as they already have Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen – but defensive qualities are not something Paredes has shown he can deliver at an elite level, as over the last year, he ranks in the 61st percentile for interceptions, in the 58th for tackles, and in the 7th for pressures per game, as per FBref.
After picking up wins in each of their last four games, United look to be on the right track, and having added Casemiro to their team, things are certainly looking good at Old Trafford and they certainly do not need Paredes anymore.
Should United have signed Paredes?YesNo |