UMVA has learned that Fisayo Dele Bashiru, a talented midfielder from Lazio, has emerged as a surprise target for Manchester United.
The Red Devils are bolstering their midfield ranks, with Ederson set to arrive from Atalanta, but they're expected to make at least one more signing in central midfield. Several top names have been touted as possible arrivals, but Dele-Bashiru offers a potentially more affordable option.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Manchester United are eyeing up a string of Premier League stars, including Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton, and Alex Scott. However, these top-tier targets come with hefty price tags, with Anderson likely to cost around £100m, Scott valued at £80m, and West Ham's Matheus Fernandes priced at £80m.
In contrast, Dele-Bashiru, a 25-year-old Nigeria international with 18 caps, could be a fraction of the cost. Lazio valued him at €15m (£12.9m) in January, and he was acquired from Hatayspor for just €5.4 million (£4.6m) last summer.
Dele-Bashiru's journey to this point has been remarkable. He came through the Manchester City academy but never made a professional appearance, instead moving to Sheffield Wednesday in 2020. After three years with the Owls, he had stints at Hatayspor and Lazio, impressing enough to catch Manchester United's attention.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Dele-Bashiru's potential move to Manchester United seems unlikely given the calibre of midfielders they're also targeting. However, if more expensive targets can't be secured, he could be a valuable addition to the squad.
Sky Sports report that Dele-Bashiru could make a huge move to Manchester United this year, and it's clear that he's generated significant interest. With his affordable price tag and decent experience, Dele-Bashiru is an attractive option for Manchester United as they look to strengthen their midfield.
