Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho, is reportedly eyeing a new right-back to bolster his first-team squad, with a £16 million offer for Everton defender Seamus Coleman on the cards, according to The Mirror.
The Republic of Ireland international is well-respected and an important player at Goodison Park, with the full-back one of the Premier League’s best in his position on the front foot. Coleman has been linked with a move to Old Trafford in the past, with former Toffees boss, David Moyes, reportedly keen on the defender after he moved to take over at the Red Devils in 2013. The Merseyside outfit have worked hard to hold onto their prized assets and the Irish defender penned a new five-year deal at Everton back in June 2014.
Mourinho has given Antonio Valencia the nod to play at right-back this season, with the Ecuador international fitting into the side’s back four despite having operated on the right wing for the majority of his career.
Italy international Matteo Darmian does not seem to have made an impression on the Portuguese coach and is being tipped to return to Serie A, while Dutch youngster Timothy Fosu-Mensah has been selected for cup clashes. However, the report suggests that Mourinho believes that right-back is an area that United can strengthen and that the experience and forward thinking of Coleman would be an upgrade on his current options.
Everton boss, Ronald Koeman, will surely be very reluctant to allow the Irishman to leave Goodison Park, with a bid of £16 million seemingly less than the required amount to have the Toffees even considering a sale. With the Merseyside outfit switch to a 3-5-2 formation under the Dutch coach, the wing-backs are essential in the system and as such, Coleman is an important man for the Premier League club.
Everton have shown their stubbornness in the recent past by rebuffing Chelsea’s attempts to land John Stones last summer. United could have a job on their hands to land Coleman, even if their interest is confirmed.
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