10 Copa America stars linked with move to Old Trafford

The 2024 Copa America kicks off in the United States on July 20 and with a wealth of talent, the South American championship will be closely watched by scouts from across Europe before the transfer market comes into action.

Manchester United are preparing for their first summer transfer window since co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe took sporting control of the club, and the Red Devils have been linked with moves for several stars to be seen in the United States.

Here are 10 reported United goals to keep an eye on during the Copa America.

Jonathan David

Long-term target United have a great chance of landing Canadian striker Jonathan David this summer as his contract with Lille enters the final 12 months. French club president Olivier Letang recently admitted that an exit is likely for both David and fellow Old Trafford target Leny Yoro.

The Brooklyn-born centre-forward has enjoyed another fine season in Ligue 1, having scored 26 goals in all competitions for the second time in a row. He could also become his country’s all-time top scorer at the Copa America, with the 24-year-old needing just three goals to reach a new Canadian high.

David is fast, agile and reliable and could be an ideal addition to Rasmus Hojlund in Erik ten Hag’s attack.

Ronald Araujo

The departure of Raphael Varane at the end of the 2023/24 season will likely see United enter the market for central defensive reinforcements this summer. The likes of Jarrad Branthwaite, Marc Guehi and Lille youngster Yoro have all been linked with Old Trafford moves.

Another high-calibre centre-back reportedly on United’s wishlist is Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo. The 25-year-old joined the Catalan giants as a teenager and worked his way up from their second tier to cement himself as one of the most formidable players in Europe.

The powerful 6ft 1in defender will star in the Copa for Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay and is also attracting interest from Bayern Munich.

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Bruno Guimaraes

The need to meet the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules could force Newcastle United to sell one of their stars this summer, with Man Utd among a host of rival sides ready to sign midfielder Bruno Guimaraes to fall, according to reports in the British press. .

Arsenal, Manchester City and Real Madrid have also all been linked with the 26-year-old Brazilian, who is valued at around £100million.

That price tag may seem high, but Guimaraes has cemented his status as one of the most dynamic central midfielders in the Premier League since joining from Lyon for £40 million in January 2022.

Gleison Bremer

Another Brazilian who is drawing admiring glances from the Old Trafford hierarchy, as TEAMtalk insiders have confirmed, is Juventus defender Gleison Bremer.

The 27-year-old central defender came to the Bianconeri from local rival Torino two years ago and only signed a new contract with the 36-time Italian champions last December.

That hasn’t deterred United’s interest in Bremer, however, with Juventus looking to secure a fee of around £60m for their star defender, who played all but two of the club’s Serie A games last season, again impressive for his speed. power and presence in the air.

Lautaro Martinez

An international colleague of current United stars Alejandro Garnacho and 20-time England champion Lisandro Martinez is reportedly keen to bring World Cup-winning striker Lautaro Martinez to Old Trafford.

The gifted 26-year-old striker, who Arsenal would also target, scored the highest number of goals in a single season of his career in 2023/24. He scored 24 times and fired Inter Milan to the Serie A title.

Martinez has been with Inter for six years and has scored 129 goals in 282 games for the Nerazzurri. Reports suggest he is ready to sign a new contract with the club, with his current deal set to expire in 2026. But no new terms have been signed yet, leaving the door open for transfers from his Premier League candidates.

Alfonso Davies

Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies is another player currently in an uncertain contract situation. The flying Canadian full-back’s contract with the Bundesliga giants expires at the end of next season, and it has long been believed he will soon sign for Real Madrid.

But according to reports, Davies has been named by Ratcliffe and INEOS colleague Sir Dave Brailsford on a shortlist of potential targets who could soon be out of contract.

Still just 23, Davies is one of the most decorated North American players of all time, with five Bundesliga titles and a Champions League trophy already to his name. His takeover would represent a coup for United and an upgrade for the injury-prone Luke Shaw.

Nicholas Tagliafico

A more cost-effective way to offer Shaw insurance after the England full-back suffered another injury-interrupted season in 2023-24 could be a move for Argentine Nicolas Tagliafico.

United were linked with the 31-year-old Lyon player last summer and a renewal of their interest in the experienced 57-cap Albiceleste star would also make sense this year; especially now that it has been confirmed that Ten Hag, who coached Tagliafico at Ajax, will remain in charge at Old Trafford.

It is believed that United attempted to sign Tagliafico on loan in 2023, with Lyon valuing the left-back at around £5 million.

Santiago Gimenez

Argentina-born Mexican striker Santiago Gimenez has the potential to become one of the breakout stars of the 2024 Copa America.

The 23-year-old scored 26 goals in 41 games at Feyenoord last season under new Liverpool boss Arne Slot, having scored 23 goals in all competitions to help the Rotterdam club to an Eredivisie title during his first spell in the Netherlands.

Gimenez is yet to translate his stellar club form onto the international stage, having scored just four goals from 27 caps for Mexico.

Real Madrid, Arsenal and Liverpool have all been linked with big-money moves for Gimenez this summer, while reports from February suggested United are also keen.

Weston McKennie

Weston McKennie will be a key player for the host nation at the 2024 Copa America and the USMNT midfielder could be on the move shortly after the tournament.

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The 25-year-old endured a disappointing spell at Leeds United two years ago, but after impressing in Serie A with Juventus last season – with a career-high seven assists – a return to the Premier League could be on the cards.

McKennie will reportedly be used as makeweight in a deal that will see Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luis join Juventus, with the former Schalke player heading the other way.

But the deal is not yet completed and in May McKennie, a reported target at Old Trafford, mysteriously changed his Facebook profile picture to an image of him wearing a United shirt, only to delete the photo 20 minutes later.

Evanilson

Porto striker Evanilson has been called up to Dorival Junior’s Brazilian squad for the Copa America after the best club season of his career to date.

The 24-year-old former Fluminense player scored 24 goals in 42 appearances for the Portuguese side, beating his previous best result of 21 from two years ago.

Evanilson, who was handed a first Brazilian senior cap during a pre-Copa friendly against the United States, has a €100 million release clause in his Porto contract. According to reports in Portugal, he is a target for United this summer.

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