Manchester United are reportedly interested in RB Leipzig playmaker Emil Forsberg as Jose Mourinho continues to scout for additions to his squad.
According to Italian publication Calciomercato, RB Leipzig winger Emil Forsberg has emerged as a shock summer target for Manchester United. The Red Devils were thought to be close to Ivan Perisic. But, with the pursuit of the Inter Milan winger running into troubled waters, Mourinho seems to be eyeing Forsberg as an alternative.
Emil Forsberg raised a lot of eyebrows when he decided to leave Swedish champions Malmo to join a second-tier German team in RB Leipzig in January, 2015. But, his performances along with the club’s rapid and unprecedented rise to the top echelons of Bundesliga has vindicated his choice.
As Leipzig came close to scripting history in Germany by nearly pulling off a Leicester-esque title win in Bundesliga, Forsberg was perhaps one of the protagonists of it – if not the sole one. The Swedish winger ended the season with 8 goals and a mammoth 22 assists in the league alone – in just 30 appearances.
Emil Forsberg registered 19 assists in the Bundesliga last season, more than any other player in Europe’s top 5 leagues managed. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/wxZZ68gdfF
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) July 26, 2017
And the newly christened assist king has rightly earned admirers in many of the top European outfits. Liverpool were one of the leaders in his chase while Arsenal and Bayern Munich were also keen on the player. But, as the latest reports have emerged, it is Manchester United who have emerged as a shock summer destination for the Swede.
Jose Mourinho made it clear in the press conference as part of the US tour that while he was happy to land two magnificent players, he was still looking for two more additions – a midfielder and a wide attacker. United have been in pursuit of both such players.
Ivan Perisic, for the longest period of time, looked to be heading towards Old Trafford. But, Inter Milan’s stubborn stance on the asking price and United’s unwillingness to meet the price tag has seen the deal die down to an extent. And, with Mourinho having made his need public, the club is now looking towards Forsberg as an alternative.
The idea is that, with Inter Milan persistent on asking €50 million for Perisic, the Red Devils feel the same amount of money could get them Forsberg – a younger, more in-form target who can provide more years of high-tier football to the club, which will justify the significant investment.
Forsberg would not be trading down either, with Manchester United also qualifying for the Champions League. And while Leipzig went on a fairytale run in Bundesliga, the Red Devils stand a better chance of domestic glory than the Bundesliga outfit.
It could also be a move to get Inter Milan to lower their asking price or to get their deal for Perisic done in a smoother manner. Either way, this looks like a deal that could be done if the player and the club are keen on it.
