Manchester United are most interested in signing Benfica midfielder Orkun Kokcu, who was on their radar during the 2023 summer transfer window.
The Turkey international was a top target for the Red Devils last summer, but the midfielder made the switch to Benfica for an initial fee of €25 million.
Fabrizio Romano revealed that United closely monitored his progress at Feyenoord, but they were unable to strike a transfer agreement ahead of Benfica.
The club went on to sign Mason Mount from Chelsea instead, but it appears they could get a second chance at landing Kokcu at the end of the season.
Kokcu recently criticised manager Roger Schmidt for failing to live up to the promise. He expressed his unhappiness over being played out of position.
The midfielder was dropped in the subsequent game against Casa Pia and it is now claimed that he could head for the exit door during the summer.
As per journalist Koray Baloglu, Benfica have no plans to loan him out and they will demand at least €40m to sanction his departure in the off-season.
United have been his long-term admirers and O Jogo (page 9) add that the club will be ‘most interested’ and could even make a ‘concrete proposal’.
United may not return for Kokcu this summer
Manager Erik ten Hag was keen on landing a central attacking midfielder last summer. Kokcu was a top target, but he was convinced over a move to Benfica.
United went on to splash the cash on Mount, who has had an injury-plagued campaign thus far.
Kokcu has re-emerged as a potential target, but we don’t see the hierarchy returning for him. Mount is a quality playmaker and should come good for United.
Meanwhile, we are not impressed by the attitude of Kokcu. The 23-year-old has averaged 65 minutes per game in his 34 appearances for Benfica this campaign.
He has been regularly swapped between the central and defensive midfield roles, but has had a good season with 13 goal contributions for the Portuguese side.
Kokcu may have the talent but the manager may not want a midfielder, who could become a disruptive figure. He should not have voiced his concerns publicly.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
