Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, with a switch to Old Trafford potentially occurring in 2025.
The Red Devils added Manuel Ugarte to their midfield department over the summer, but Scott McTominay moved on, while Casemiro and Christian Eriksen could both depart next year.
Man United will allegedly attempt to sell Casemiro in January, with the Brazil international no longer an automatic pick, while Eriksen has revealed that he is not in talks over a new deal, with his current terms due to expire at the end of the season.
As a result, at least one midfielder is set to move to Old Trafford in 2025, and according to Fichajes, De Paul is on the club's radar.
The report claims that the 20-time English champions view De Paul as the 'ideal option to bolster their squad', and the Argentina international is said to be open to a fresh challenge at this stage of his career.
© Imago
Man United 'eyeing 2025 move' for De Paul
De Paul started his professional career with Racing Club before moving to Valencia in 2014, representing Los Che on 44 occasions ahead of a switch to Udinese.
The South American starred during his time at Udinese, managing 34 goals and 37 assists in 184 appearances for the Italian outfit before moving to Atletico in the summer of 2021.
De Paul has featured on 144 occasions for Diego Simeone's side, scoring 11 goals and registering 17 assists in the process, and he has again been an important player this term.
The midfielder has one assist in 10 appearances for Atletico, featuring in all but one of their fixtures in the opening months of the 2024-25 campaign.
© Imago
Will Atletico let De Paul leave?
De Paul has entered the final two years of his contract at Wanda Metropolitano, and he will be 31 towards the end of next season, so Atletico would not be entirely against a sale.
The capital giants would want big-money for him, though, and it is the type of signing that Man United are expected to move away from under their new management.
Much will depend on price, if Man United see value in bringing in De Paul, then it is a signing that should be considered, but they should be wary of overpaying for a player in his 30s considering what has happened with Casemiro, who is the club's highest earner.
De Paul is a high-quality midfielder, though, and his skillset appears perfect for the Premier League, boasting an impressive range of passing and a high-tempo style.
Matt Law
