Boca Juniors are waiting for Manchester United to make a bid for Argentine defender Aaron Anselmino.
The Red Devils are desperate for defensive reinforcements as they struggled massively last season with the form and the fitness of their centre backs.
A bid for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite has already been rejected and the club have public interest in LOSC Lille’s Leny Yoro, even though it seems the player only currently has eyes for Real Madrid.
Matthijs de Ligt is also seen as a potential back up option to Branthwaite should the club fail to negotiate down a fee for the Englishman, but one player the club have had interest in for some time is Anselmino.
United have been described as “determined” to make a move for the 19 year old in the past but saw Chelsea take the lead for the defender by placing a bid recently.
Nonetheless, Argentine newspaper El Grafico reports that Boca Juniors are waiting for Manchester United to get involved in the race for the talented starlet.
It was reported that “Boca was moved last Friday by a very tempting offer: no less than 18 million dollars for Aaron Anselmino, the central defender who has great promise and that Chelsea would be willing to buy for the aforementioned figure.”
“Although it does not cover the termination clause of 25 million, the Ribera club considers it more than enough to make a big deal”, as the player has barely played more than 10 games due to injury problems since breaking into the first team this year.
“It is reported that Manchester United would also make an offer for a footballer whom they already followed through their scouting in South America. While they wait for the call from Old Trafford, the side led by Juan Román Riquelme is studying Chelsea’s specific proposal.”
It is also mentioned that the Argentine giants want to keep the youngster for one more season and also receive a potential transfer payment in one single instalment.
The 19 year old has been described as a “prodigy” who is “bipedal” meaning he can use both feet effectively, which in turn increases his passing range. Anselmino is also fast and makes clever choices to close down players rather than sliding into the tackle, showing maturity beyond his years.
Should United pursue a deal for the Argentine it would be fascinating to see how he could develop alongside fellow countryman Lisandro Martinez. It would mark an interesting departure from the club’s more recent way of doing business.
