The potential transfer of Mason Mount to Manchester United remains in the balance as Chelsea continues to hold out against the Red Devils’ persistent advances. Yet, if United’s pursuit of the talented 24-year-old comes to naught, several viable alternatives are ripe for consideration. After all, the demand for a versatile, creative player with an attacking prowess remains a top priority for the Old Trafford outfit.
An array of prospects that Man Utd could contemplate includes:
James Maddison (Leicester City, £50m asking price)
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Maddison has often been cited in comparison to Mount for his equally dynamic skill set and position versatility. Despite a formidable asking price from the Foxes, the long-standing Leicester player could well be a worthy contender should Chelsea continue to fend off United’s approach for Mount.
Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace, £34m asking price)
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24-year-old Eze’s impressive performances at Crystal Palace have not gone unnoticed. Exhibiting a skill set akin to Mount, and with an added ability to operate from deeper positions, Eze might just offer the spark Old Trafford craves.
Mohammed Kudus (Ajax, £40m asking price)
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The Manchester United management could also consider luring Ten Hag’s former mentee, Kudus. Reports suggest he has been earmarked as a potential replacement for Mount, should the transfer saga not swing in United’s favour.
Pedro Goncalves (Sporting CP, £68m asking price)
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Goncalves, my personal pick, represents an intriguing prospect. Slotting seamlessly into the void that was left by Bruno Fernandes at Sporting CP, Goncalves offers a potent blend of creative flair and goal-scoring ability. His record of 20 goals and 15 assists from the previous season speaks volumes of his potential.
Xavi Simons (PSV, £34m asking price)
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Xavi Simons, the versatile young talent from PSV Eindhoven, is another player who could potentially fill the void left by Mason Mount. Like Kudus, Simons can seamlessly switch roles across the front line and take up the position of an attacking midfielder. This would make him a great addition if Manchester United aims to bolster their offensive line-up. Moreover, if Erik ten Hag chooses to further test his coaching acumen by shifting Simons to a deeper midfield role, it could prove an exciting challenge (as was the case with Christian Eriksen’s successful transition).
However, the Red Devils might face competition for Simons, as PSG is rumored to be considering the activation of an economically attractive buy-back clause.
Casemiro could certainly find synergy with any of these talents at Old Trafford. But the million-dollar question remains: Which direction will United take if their chase for Mount reaches a dead end? Your thoughts are welcome in the comments section below!
