Manchester United have been linked as a club interested in Portuguese midfielder Vitinha, whose 40m euro release clause is set to be met imminently by a Premier League club, according to Portuguese media.
The 22-year-old currently plies his trade for Porto, and already has experience in the English top flight having spent a season on loan with Wolverhampton Wanderers in the 2020/21 season.
The Portugal man appeared 19 times for the Molineux side, mostly as a substitute, grabbing just a solitary assist in his time in the Midlands. He has enjoyed a strong season upon his return to his homeland however, scoring twice and grabbing 4 assists in 20 Portuguese top-flight appearances.
2J9E0EB May 22, 2022. Lisbon, Portugal. Porto’s midfielder from Portugal Vitinha (20) celebrating after winning the final of the Portuguese Cup Porto vs Tondela Credit: Alexandre de Sousa/Alamy Live News
Now, according to Portuguese paper the Record, his 40m euro release clause is set to be activated by a Premier League club imminently, though they do not specify who it is that plans on doing so.
Where next?
There are likely three clubs that could be in contention to activate the said clause. Having already spent a season on loan at Wolves, and with their penchant for signing Portuguese players, they are certainly a possibility.
Meanwhile, Manchester United are in desperate need of midfield additions, and certainly have the financial power to make such a move. Vitinha is able to play either as a no.6, a no.8 or a no.10, which would add more versatility to the midfield ranks at Old Trafford, but he is likely not able to be the out-and-out defensive midfielder that they seem to require.
Another option could be Liverpool, with rumours linking them with Vitinha and the Reds in the hunt for midfield additions to regenerate the middle of the park.
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