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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
After getting deals over the line for both Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Manchester United are seemingly still on the hunt for more British players. Reports in recent weeks have suggested the club are targeting moves for the likes of Harry Maguire and Sean Longstaff amongst others, and have seemingly zeroed in on the kind of profile of player they want.
Whilst the idea behind signing players from domestic leagues is admirable and certainly has its merits – not least the added advantage of them being already acclimatised to their environment and knowing the league inside out – United’s pursuit of British stars is leading them down a dangerous path.
The club have already had to splash out £50m for Crystal Palace’s Wan-Bissaka – a 21-year-old who made his Premier League debut only last year and is already the club’s fifth biggest signing.
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Value for money?
The premium on signing players from domestic rivals and leagues – particularly with the home-grown quota playing a part – is getting nigh on impractical. The pursuit of Maguire has seen United be quoted upwards of £70m, whilst it also has been reported Newcastle are demanding close to £50m for the barely experienced Longstaff.
Are the trio necessarily the best options out there? Are their prices a fair reflection of their abilities? Or are United being punished and exploited by their own apparent desire to buy British? The Red Devils’ recent dealings with super-agents like Mino Raiola are perhaps indicative of why they are so reluctant to look abroad for their next signings.
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But having finished sixth last season, the club are arguably not in a position to not be buying the best that they possibly can. If reports are to be believed that Lazio’s powerhouse Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is available for a move away, then why turn their attentions to an inexperienced midfielder like Longstaff whose supposed break-through season saw him make just nine appearances in the Premier League?
United’s transfer strategy this summer has seen them bear the brunt of the rising cost of signing British-based players, and it appears with both Maguire and Longstaff, they could be burned even more.