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Manchester United have sent shockwaves across the Santiago Bernabeu after launching a raid to sign Real Madrid star Eder Militao, according to the latest report from Spain.
United table an offer
Fichajes reveal the Red Devils have tabled a “formal offer” worth €40 million to sign Militao.
The 28-year-old defender is viewed by United as a leader with a wealth of experience at the highest level – the exact profile they want to bolster their backline.
At his best, Militao is one of Europe’s best centre-backs, offering outstanding defensive instincts with strong technical and tactical attributes. However, he has endured an unrelenting list of injuries since joining Madrid from FC Porto in 2019, despite his obvious talents when fit.
The Brazil international has missed 138 games for club and country in the Spanish capital, with two successive ACL injuries – in either knee – the most serious he has suffered.
This physical frailty makes Militao an interesting choice for United, given Lisandro Martinez has faced similar issues while Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt are prone to picking up minor injuries.
However, Maguire’s contract expires at the end of the season. Talks have been held over an extension, but a new deal is yet to be offered, with INEOS reluctant to renew a soon-to-be 33-year-old defender on big wages.
Should the English centre-back depart, a player with Militao’s skillset offers a major boost to United’s defence, even with concerns over his ability to stay fit.
Madrid considering a sale
Fichajes contends United’s offer has “forced [Madrid’s] board to sit down and consider various options” over their defence.
Militao is a player “valued highly” at the Bernabeu, both for his influence on the pitch as well as the dressing room. But there is also acceptance that his sale would “free up salary space and create room for future transfers.”
A €40m (£35m) bid is seen as attractive, though it does not enter the territory of an ‘offer that cannot be refused’.
Equally, Militao is understood to remain fully focused on finishing the season as strongly as possible with Los Blancos, meaning the Brazilian has no interest in forcing a switch to United.
Final Thoughts
A £35m outlay for a world-class centre-back in his prime, currently plying his trade for the biggest club in the world, is a reasonable figure, even for a player approaching 30.
United’s defence will need an injection of experience if Maguire is to leave, with the continued development of Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro considered a priority at Old Trafford. Militao would offer the perfect complement to the two defensive starlets.
However, his injury record is beyond questionable; it is a certain red-flag, no matter his talents when fit.
The idea of leaving Madrid for Manchester is also a doubt, given the respective successes of the two clubs over the past few years, with INEOS keen to move away from the model of signing ageing players from Europe’s elite.
The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
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