Manchester United defender Patrice Evra was spotted in Turin over the weekend, with the French international in Italy to negotiate terms and take medical tests with Serie A champions Juventus.
The Italian side have been keen to snap up the 33-year-old for quite some time, with Evra available on a free when his contract expires next month. According to the Daily Mail, Evra is closing in on a two-year deal with the Old Lady, despite incoming boss Louis van Gaal’s wish to keep the former Monaco full-back at Old Trafford.
If United complete the mooted £30m deal for Southampton left-back Luke Shaw, Evra’s involvement in matches will be significantly reduced from next season, something the strong-willed Frenchman is unwilling to entertain.
Juventus secured their record-breaking third successive Scudetto on the weekend, breaking the 100-point barrier for the first time in European football. Led by Antonio Conte, the Italians are set to challenge for the Champions League next season, and are looking to bolster their already strong squad with a number of top names.
Evra’s United teammate Nani is also said to be on Juve’s transfer list, as well as Barcelona winger Alexis Sanchez and Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic.
United meanwhile are to embark on a similarly interesting summer of transfer dealigns, but with a different agenda. With the club finishing a club-worst seventh in the Premier League, United will be without Champions League football for the first time since 1995/96.
But with Dutchman Van Gaal set to take the reigns in the summer, a huge revamp of the squad will surely give the United faithful something to cheer about, with Evra set to be the first name out the door.
What do you think? Should Evra make the move to Juventus, or do Manchester United still need him? Get involved in the comments below…
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