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Manchester United have completed the Deadline Day signing of Porto left-back Alex Telles for a fee of £ 15.4 million.
The 27-year-old has signed a contract until June 2024, with an option for one more year.
United’s hopes of signing the left-back seemed to fade after his offer was initially rejected by the Portuguese champions, who were expecting £ 22.5 million.
However, negotiations began again on Sunday morning, with Porto changing their minds on United’s most recent offer as they were convinced that Old Trafford was unlikely to offer a subsequent offer, with the transfer window to about to close for Premier League clubs.
“Joining a club with the prestige of Manchester United is a great honor,” said Telles. “You have to work hard to get to this point in your career and now that I come to this club, I can promise you that I will give everything in my heart to be a success here.”
“I won many trophies at FC Porto and I want to continue that at United. The manager has a clear plan and direction for this team and I can’t wait to put on the famous jersey.”
Telles joined Porto from Galatasaray in 2016 and won two Portuguese league titles and the Portuguese Cup in nearly 200 appearances with the club.
Alex Telles signed for Porto from Galatasaray in 2016
He becomes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s second signing out of the window, following Donny van de Beek’s move from Ajax.
Solskjaer said: “He is a player that we have been following for some time and his performances in recent years are exactly what we are looking for.
“He is a fighter and a winner and will add real determination and competence to the team.
“Alex has the qualities, as a player and as a person, that we want here at Manchester United.”
Telles will fly to Sao Paulo to join the Brazilian team ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Peru.
Analysis: Telles the ‘typical Brazilian’
Ron Walker from Sky Sports …
“It doesn’t take long to see Telles in action to see that his main quality strikes a bell similar to that of many Brazilian full-backs, with his productivity on the ball an important asset for Porto in recent years, recording 54 assists in his five years at the club.
“While United’s main defensive problems may lie at the heart of their defense, there is certainly a strong case for how the Brazilian can improve his baseline.
Alex Telles’ attacking attributes have proven his greatest strength for Porto
“While Luke Shaw and Brandon Williams, the club’s two regular left-backs in 2019/20, failed to record a single assist between them throughout the entire campaign, Telles was busy scoring eight goals for his Porto teammates in Primeira Liga, Which may come as a little surprise to a man who attempted almost 10 crosses every 90 minutes on average and completed about a quarter.
“A lot can also be said about his goal tally, as he found the back of the net 11 times last season, but with eight of them coming from the spot, fellow Portuguese importer Bruno Fernandes may have one or two. Things to say about it at Old Trafford.
“It is very Brazilian in its approach,” said Vitor Goncalves of Portuguese national broadcaster RTP. Sky sports. “His passing is very good, that’s something that makes him different, even from other Brazilian left-backs.
“In isolation, Telles’ passing stats are not a remarkable reading, the fact that he created 57 chances, the seventh highest count in the entire division, certainly does.
Telles holds the record for the highest number of assists performed by any player at Estadio do Dragao since it opened in 2003.
“But just as Brazilian full-backs are known for their offensive prowess, their defensive quality has also been put into action on occasion.
“He’s not that good defensively,” adds Goncalves. “But he’s still a defender on one winger! He’s a top Porto player and the vice-captain behind Danilo Pereira.
“If Manchester United are looking for a defender to shore up a baseline who has already thrown in 12 goals in his first three games, a third of his account for the entire 2019/20 season, Telles may not be the answer.
“But with much of his problem during that season an inability to bring down teams that played with a low block, he will add some quality from wide areas and a threat from behind that the club has certainly been missing.”
Smart move to Rome again
On the other hand, United are negotiating with Roma the final details of Chris Smalling’s return to the Italian capital, according to Sky Italy.
However, it will be a race against time to complete the deal before the 7pm (UK time) deadline in Italy.
Smalling is eager to return to Rome after a successful loan period last season and the Serie A club bosses are confident that they can complete the deal with the final details that have yet to be worked out.
Initially, it seemed that Roma would have to pay a move for the defender.
Man Utd’s defense in disarray
Adding defensive options is timely for Manchester United, who were humiliated by Tottenham on Super Sunday.
This 6-1 loss was only the second time United have let in so many in a Premier League game at Old Trafford. They hadn’t let four in the first half of a league game since 1957 before this one.
Sky Sports’ Gary Neville described the performance as “pathetic” but perhaps most alarmingly it was coming. United’s defense has been in disarray this season.
Crystal Palace’s 3-1 win at this venue in United’s first game of the season two weeks ago was a shock. Roy Hodgson’s team was the second-lowest scorer last season, while United had let in just seven in their last 14 2019/20 Premier League games.
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Palace broke through United’s defense and could have scored more.
A week later, Leandro Trossard hit the wood five times before United escaped Brighton with a 3-2 last-gasp win.
Victor Lindelof, inconsistent throughout his time at the club, lost his place in the Premier League at the heart of United’s defense to Spurs’ visit, but Eric Bailly’s return did slightly better alongside a Harry Maguire.
Sky Sports’ Peter Smith discusses how a series of mistakes from Man Utd’s £ 188 million bottom line puts them among the worst defenders in the Premier League this season – Read the full article here.
Dortmund: ‘door closed’ to Sancho agreement
The pursuit of Manchester United’s main target during this window, Jadon Sancho, appears to be close to failure after Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc said Saturday that “the door is closed” on the move.
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United failed to reach a deal for the 20-year-old before Dortmund’s August 10 deadline, and the £ 91.3 million offer they made this week was rejected by the German club.
However, one player who seems likely to join United is Edinson Cavani, who is close to signing a two-year contract.
The 33-year-old forward is a free agent after leaving Paris Saint-Germain at the end of last season, and he is ready to bring valuable experience to United’s youthful front line.
Transfer Deadline – October 5
The summer transfer window closes at 11pm on Monday, October 5 with an all-day party of activity involving the biggest names in soccer.
Some of the highlights to enjoy Sky Sports News and through our Sky sports platforms:
- Countdown with Harry and Jamie Redknapp
- Supporters at the heart of the show with Sky VIP fan wall
You can also follow the stories at Sky sports‘digital platforms, with our dedicated blog Transfer Center.
This is everything you need to know about Deadline Day and how to deliver on all the deals and drama with Sky sports.
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