Manchester United have sent scouts to keep tabs on defender Ruben Dias. The centre back was a one-time target of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Wolves ‘Target’ Watched By Manchester United
United Monitoring Portuguese Defender
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has sent scouts to watch Ruben Dias. The one-time Wolves target had a move to Molineux fall through after Benfica demanded a fee out of the Black Country side’s budget.
Reports from Portuguese outlet A Bola (via Sport Witness) have stated that United officials watched Dias during Benfica’s 4-0 victory over Braga this weekend.
It’s now understood that Dias, 22, has a release clause worth £80 million after Benfica agreed to terms on a new deal. The previous terms had a release clause of just £20 million, according to The Sun.
That would mean that United would come close to setting a new world record fee paid for a defender – a record they set with the signing of Harry Maguire this summer.
After losing out on Dias, Wolves settled for Jesus Vallejo on a season-long loan deal from Real Madrid.
Vallejo is yet to feature for Wolves this term; however, the Spaniard may be called upon against Chelsea with Willy Boly suspended.
United Continue To Monitor Benfica Stars
In addition to watching Dias, United were in Portugal to watch Florentino Luis.
After adding three names to his squad this summer, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still wants to improve the Red Devils.
Dias and holding midfielder Luis are seen as two youngsters who fit the philosophy applied by United’s Dane manager.
Both players produced encouraging performances. 22-year-old Dias kept a clean sheet on Sunday while Luis won a penalty during the 4-0 victory.
Manchester City were rumoured to be interested in Luis during the summer; however, a move never came about. Having represented Portugal at all youth levels, City viewed him as a possible long-term replacement for Fernandinho.
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