The Times disclosed that Manchester United's first target for reinforcement this summer is Barcelona's center midfielder Ronald Anaozu. It is reported that Manchester United offered as much as 50 million euros (about 417 million Hong Kong dollars) transfer fee, and additional wing Chaton Sinzu as a condition of exchange, confidently expect to be able to impress Barcelona to release the player.
Barcelona were meant to extend the contract of Ronnu Anaozu, but the 25-year-old Uruguayan international made a huge demand for an annual salary of up to 12 million euros (about HK$100 million). With the La Liga giants financially strapped and unable to meet this demand, Bayern Munich and Manchester United took the opportunity to step into the fray. Bayern Munich were rumored to have made an offer of €70 million (about HK$584 million) and promised a pre-tax contract with an annual salary of €13 million.
However, Manchester United spared no expense in the battle for the title, offering the lure of a pre-tax annual salary of up to 24 million euros (about 200 million Hong Kong dollars), coupled with a transfer fee of 50 million euros and Chaton Sinzu, making it difficult for Ronnu Anaozu to resist. Red Devils of this move also let Barcelona side-eye, the two sides seem to have entered the final stage of negotiations.
Ronald Anaozu is currently playing for Uruguay in the Copa America, and is expected to wait until the end of the tournament before officially processing his transfer.
