Why Manchester United should avoid signing Federico Bernardeschi

According to ESPN, Manchester United could be offered Federico Bernardeschi as a makeweight to sign Paul Pogba. The Manchester United man has been at the centre of attention from the time his agent stated that the player’s Old Trafford career is over. A January exit was being mooted but Raiola went ahead to say that a transfer might have to wait until the summer (source – Express).

Juve are frontrunners at this point to sign their former player but might have to find other ways to bring him back. They are mulling over a deal involving Paulo Dybala and Federico Bernardeschi going the other way.

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Federico Bernardeschi, 26, is a product of the Fiorentina youth system. Bernardeschi was promoted to the first-team in 2013 but was sent to Crotone on loan for that season. On his return, he was given a crack at the first and he went on to make 93 appearances for the side.

He had three promising seasons after returning to his parent club. Juventus came in with an offer for him in 2017 and he made the switch to Turin. In the three and a half seasons at Juventus, he has blown hot and cold largely.

In 121 games for the Bianconeri, Bernardeshi has managed to score 10 and assist 15 goals. A full international for Italy, he has 27 caps and 5 goals for them to date.

Manchester United should refuse Juve’s offer of Bernardeschi

While it would seem absurd to pass up on an experienced right-winger given the club’s long-term search for one, one needs to remember that the deal is very complicated. Paul Pogba will be leaving the club and that would produce a gigantic quality drop in the midfield. Add to that, Paulo Dybala would also be arriving.

United are not getting a like-to-like replacement and in Dybala, they would be getting a player who won’t get to play in his favoured second-striker position. This deal is far too complicated and it’s hard to see an angle where United would benefit from it.

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Apart from that, there’s a more important season. Bernardeschi has been in poor form ever since swapping Fiorentina for Juventus. He is yet to hit double digits in terms of goals and assists in any season for Juve so far. United must resist the urge to agree to this deal just because they are getting a player in a position they need.