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5 starlets who may have already agreed to join Manchester United next season

By Rucker Haringey

LISBON, PORTUGAL - FEBRUARY 05: Belenenses's defender aguilar tackles Benfica's midfielder Renato Sanches during the match between Os Belenenses and SL Benfica at Estadio do Restelo on February 05, 2016 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)
LISBON, PORTUGAL - FEBRUARY 05: Belenenses's defender aguilar tackles Benfica's midfielder Renato Sanches during the match between Os Belenenses and SL Benfica at Estadio do Restelo on February 05, 2016 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images) /
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LISBON, PORTUGAL – FEBRUARY 05: Belenenses’s defender aguilar tackles Benfica’s midfielder Renato Sanches during the match between Os Belenenses and SL Benfica at Estadio do Restelo on February 05, 2016 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)
LISBON, PORTUGAL – FEBRUARY 05: Belenenses’s defender aguilar tackles Benfica’s midfielder Renato Sanches during the match between Os Belenenses and SL Benfica at Estadio do Restelo on February 05, 2016 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images) /

1. Renato Sanches

At this point, Manchester United fans might be tired of reading rumors about their club’s alleged interest in Benfica midfielder Renato Sanches. Many thought they’d get a deal done for the talented midfielder in January, but Woodward and company couldn’t push a deal over the line. Perhaps they’ve had more success with a gentleman’s agreement after the window closed.

The 18-year-old midfielder has been a star for the Portuguese giants and has been the subject of significant interest from United over the past several windows. The prodigious talent would certainly be the most expensive player on this list though. The fact that he’s represented by Jorge Mendes tells you all you need to know about the sort of negotiation it will take to secure his services.

One has to wonder whether or not the declining odds of fellow Mendes client Jose Mourinho taking over at Old Trafford diminishes their chances of acquiring Sanches. I don’t think it takes them out of the game for the midfield star, but it probably drives their price up a few million at the very least.

Related Story: Snubbing Mourinho for Ryan Giggs is small time thinking

Even so, Sanches is the type of young, electric talent that Manchester United fans dream about at night. He’s exactly the sort of midfielder who can help bring the attacking philosophy fans crave back to Old Trafford. It’s just a question of whether or not Woodward and company are willing to pay the cost to bring him to Manchester.

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