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Manchester United is reportedly considering a move for Roma’s Gianluca Mancini in the upcoming January transfer window, as per the Italian outlet Il Romanista.
The 27-year-old defender has emerged as a vital part of Roma’s lineup, featuring in every match under Jose Mourinho this season.
Mancini’s impressive performances have caught the attention of Man United, who are in the market for a dependable central defender to complement Raphael Varane.
Il Romanista notes that Mancini, who is valued at around £18 million, could be a feasible acquisition for United financially.
However, Roma’s owners, the Friedkin family, are said to be expecting an offer between £9 million and £13 million more than the current valuation to consider letting him go in the winter.
Having spent five seasons at Roma, Mancini has become an integral part of the team. His leadership qualities, particularly in the absence of regular captain Lorenzo Pellegrini due to injury, have not gone unnoticed. These attributes seem to align with the qualities sought by United’s manager Erik ten Hag.
Mancini’s style of play, which focuses more on positioning and ball skills rather than aggressive tackling, is akin to Varane’s.
His arrival at United could potentially be viewed as a long-term replacement for the French defender, who has recently seen a reduction in his playing time.
Ten Hag has been favoring Harry Maguire over Varane, indicating a possible shift in preference and hinting at Varane’s diminishing role in the team.
Speculation also surrounds Varane’s future, with potential moves, including a transfer to Saudi Arabia, being discussed.
Such a move could free up funds for United to reinvest, possibly in a player like Mancini. Despite Mourinho’s likely reluctance to lose a key player mid-season, Roma might be open to negotiations if their valuation is met.
