Manchester United have reportedly touched base with Sevilla to enquire about the availability of right-back Juanlu Sanchez.
The 21-year-old is back at his club after a highly successful summer representing Spain at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he helped his nation win the gold medal in the men's football tournament.
Sanchez scored the winner in Spain's come-from-behind victory over Morocco in the semi-finals, before completing 47 minutes of an enthralling gold medal match against host nation France.
The defender's run to Olympic glory has complemented his rise to prominence at club level, as he has now made 43 appearances for Sevilla in all tournaments, scoring two goals and setting up three more.
Despite mainly featuring on the right-hand side for Sevilla in the 2023-24 season, the 21-year-old has demonstrated his versatility by playing in a central slot so far this term, both as a number eight and number 10.
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Man United chief 'contacts' Sevilla over Sanchez move
Sanchez scored in Sevilla's opening game of the La Liga season - a 2-2 draw with Las Palmas - and according to ABC Sevilla, via The Mirror, Man United were running the rule over his performances all summer.
The defender's exploits in Paris reportedly led to an unnamed Red Devils chief to get in touch with Sevilla sporting director Victor Orta, although Man United did not submit a bid at the time.
Nevertheless, Erik ten Hag's men are still said to possess a strong interest in the 2003-born Spaniard, and they could accelerate their interest in 2025 if he continues to perform in the same vein.
Sevilla are not in a strong negotiating position either, as Sanchez's contract only has another two years left to run, meaning that they may have to accept a cut-price fee next summer or risk losing him for nothing in 2025.
Brighton & Hove Albion and Osasuna are also said to possess an interest in Sanchez, whose Sevilla deal supposedly contains an affordable €25m (£21.1m) release clause, which activated in January.
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Real Madrid were also said to have been willing to pay around £26m to bring Sanchez to the Bernabeu over the winter, but the reigning European and Spanish champions ultimately did not make a move.
Why do Man United want Sanchez?
Ever since Sir Jim Ratcliffe completed his minority purchase and made sweeping changes to the sporting department, Man United's recruitment has been youth-driven, a theme that will continue in the coming months and years.
Sporting director Dan Ashworth is believed to be particularly keen on signing players of a similar age to Sanchez, whose ability to play at both right-back and central midfield makes him perfectly suited to the modern game.
While new signing Noussair Mazraoui has made a positive start to life in Manchester, he is often without a recognised backup, as Diogo Dalot is having to cover for the injured Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia at left-back.
With Casemiro and Christian Eriksen also looking likely to leave in 2025, the Red Devils could address two problems with one transfer by shelling out a reasonable fee for Sanchez.
Ben Knapton
