Manchester United Transfer News: Miralem Pjanic, Michail Antonio, Top Rumours

Manchester United are reportedly ready to rival Chelsea in pursuit of Roma’s excellent playmaker Miralem Pjanic.

That’s according to Fichajes.net (h/t Jamie Sanderson of Metro.co.uk), who have reported that the Red Devils  are “working to persuade him to join.” It’s suggested that Antonio Conte, who has been linked with taking over at Stamford Bridge this summer, is a big admirer of the Bosnia-Herzegovina international. So are Real Madrid.

The 25-year-old has established himself as one of the standout players in Serie A in the iconic Giallorossi jersey. Here is a look at what he could bring to the Premier League:

Watch Pjanic for more than a couple of minutes, and his qualities are obvious. At the nucleus of a side, he is such a steadying influence, possessing class in almost every facet of his game. Technically, the Roma star is particularly impressive, with his touch, awareness and eye for a pass all being standout skills.

Additionally, Pjanic can be lethal from set pieces, whether shooting at goal or delivering devilish balls into the box.

It’s not a surprise that, as WhoScored.com noted, he is one of the most creative players in the league:

United, Chelsea and Real Madrid could all do with such a cultured presence in their midfield. But focusing particularly on the Red Devils, it’s actually an area of the squad in which they are quite well stocked, with Juan Mata and Ander Herrera also being creative midfield players.

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The Bosnian would arguably be an upgrade on both of them, as he brings a more consistent threat to the opposition in the final third.

If Roma are willing to sell and the Red Devils could get this one over the line, it’d be a coup, although for a player potentially making a crucial career decision, Chelsea and Real would surely be appealing options too.

Michail Antonio Eyed as Antonio Valencia Replacement

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According to Wayne Veysey of Football Insider, Manchester United see West Ham United’s Michail Antonio as the man to fill the shoes of Antonio Valencia.

The versatile Valencia, who has played primarily at right-back under Louis van Gaal, has missed much of this season, and Veysey has stated that the Red Devils are willing to listen to offers for him.

Now it seems Antonio, who has also been played in different positions on the right flank, has been eyed as the man to replace him. “A United source has told Football Insider that the club are in the market for a player with power and pace who can play on the right flank,” Veysey wrote.

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While he’s been deployed as a right wing-back in recent wins for West Ham over Tottenham Hotspur and Everton, Antonio has still been a huge attacking threat due to his impressive aerial ability.

Indeed, he has five goals in his last eight matches, and the Daily Mail’s Matty Lawless thinks he should be considered for the national side:

Although the 25-year-old is still in the early stages of his Premier League career, he seems like a natural replacement for a player like Valencia. As noted, he’s adaptable in terms of where he can fit into a side, a powerful and dynamic threat, not to mention a player who works extremely hard for the cause.

United, as is the case with any team, could certainly do with more of these traits.

West Ham would surely resist any sale unless it was for big money, though. After all, the club took a gamble in giving the former Nottingham Forest man a chance, splashing £7 million to make him a Hammer.

That, coupled with the fact that the Londoners are a club on the rise, may make Antonio think twice should the Red Devils come in.