Manchester United could be close to their first major summer signing after Portuguese midfielder Raul Meireles was left out of FC Porto’s Europa League squad for their play-off against Genk on Thursday. The midfielder has been rumoured to be on United boss Sir Alex Ferguson’s watch list for the past weeks and may now be targeted for a switch to Old Trafford before the close of the transfer window after the Red Devils missed out on Germany star Mesut Ozil.
Meireles has not been reported to be injured or in any condition that would rule him out of the game and if he were to play in the Europa League, the Portugal World Cup star will be ineligible to play for any other club in the same competition as well as the Champions League – which United will contest.
Ferguson needs experienced backup in his midfield and is a firm admirer of the established Portuguese international, who could also be a long term replacement not only for United veterans Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs – who are both nearing the end of their careers – but also for perpetual injury victim Owen Hargreaves. The latter has hardly seen action for the Red Devils since joining the club in 2007 from Bayern Munich.
Ferguson also fuelled speculation that Meireles could be his next transfer target – and first major signing of the summer – after refusing to draw a line under further new additions to his squad before the end of the transfer window despite having signed young stars Chris Smalling, Javier Hernandez and Bebe.
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