MANCHESTER UNITED have made a £12million bid for Alex Telles – but fuming Porto would prefer to lose him for free next summer, according to reports.
The Portuguese club are refusing to be bullied from their 20m euros (£18m) asking price despite the left-back’s contract being up in June.
Telles has long been linked with a move to ManchesterCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Manchester United reportedly believe Porto will be desperate enough to accept the offer due to the financial impact of Covid-19 putting the club on the back foot.
But it’s said they will not cave as the tug of war over Telles heads into the final few days of the transfer window.
After weeks of speculation, the Guardian understands a £12m bid has been put in for Telles.
The 27-year-old is seen as a reliable solution to United’s problems at left-back and will likely climb above Luke Shaw in the pecking order.
But Porto are expected to reject the bid and Correio de Manha report that the club have been left frustrated by the Red Devils’ lowball offer.
Although the player only has 10 months left on his contract, Porto are apparently willing to let him go for free rather than sell him on the cheap.
Manchester United think it’s unwise to shell out £18m on a player they can soon get for nothing, according to the BBC’s Simon Stone.
If Telles stays, United can sign him on a pre-contract from January but will have to compete with other big European clubs.
Their difficulties in securing Telles reflect the ongoing saga of Jadon Sancho.
Man Utd have been trying to bring the winger to Old Trafford all summer but have not been willing to match Dortmund’s £108m valuation.
They are reportedly planning to launch a £90m bid to prise him away from Germany.
If Sancho does come to Manchester, reports say that could free up Daniel James to join Leeds on loan.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
