Man Utd now interested in signing 26yo Bournemouth star, £40m deal could be agreed - report

Manchester United have identified Bournemouth ace Marcus Tavernier as a potential target for the summer transfer window, according to The Daily Mail.

The Red Devils are likely to make multiple signings at the end of the season. The main priority could be the midfield department, with departures expected.

Casemiro is set to leave the club when his contract expires on June 30, while Manuel Ugarte has been tipped to pursue a new challenge amid his lack of game time.

Man Utd are also exploring the possibility of landing a new centre-back and a full-back.

Amidst this, The Daily Mail cite that United have added Tavernier to their shortlist of targets to bolster the attack alongside Morgan Gibbs-White and Yan Diomande.

The Englishman could be available for around £40m in the next transfer window.

United could go on a big spending spree with Champions League football, but failing to qualify for the competition could see them opt for less expensive solutions.

Tavernier link could be agent-driven

The Red Devils were eager to land Antoine Semenyo from the Cherries last winter, but the Ghana international chose to join arch-rivals Manchester City instead.

Semenyo had a terrific start to the campaign at the South Coast outfit and has since become an influential player for the Cityzens in their pursuit of silverware.

United are well placed in the Champions League race in third with 51 points from 29 league games, and may still feel disappointed at missing out on Semenyo’s services.

Semenyo’s ex-teammate Tavernier has now been linked with a surprise move. The 26-year-old has notched up six goals and four assists from 26 appearances this term.

Tavernier is an attacking midfielder by trade, but he has recently featured as a left winger for Andoni Iraola’s side. He has likewise operated in the number eight position.

In our view, the speculation could be agent-driven rather than United expressing an interest.

The Red Devils are unlikely to shortlist any targets until a permanent manager is in place. Interim boss Michael Carrick may have to wait until May to find out whether he gets the job.

If United qualify for the Champions League, Carrick should be a frontrunner for the role and will no doubt prefer marquee signings that can make a difference from the starting XI.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

Article written by Sri Aswin .