Man Utd 'prepare £21m bid' after striking agreement for major transfer discount

Manchester United are reportedly preparing a bid for Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra, as Ruben Amorim aims to bolster his squad. The Red Devils have been active in the summer window, but have mostly focused their efforts on attacking reinforcements, with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo penning deals at Old Trafford.

Cunha joined from Wolves earlier in the summer window, with United paying £62.5million for the attacker's services. Mbeumo also arrived at the Red Devils earlier this week, with United having agreed a deal worth £71m for the Frenchman's signature.

United don't appear to be content with their current squad options though, as Amorim is believed to be eyeing up fresh faces in midfield. Reports in Spain have detailed Guerra as a potential target, with the 22-year-old having entered the final two years of his Valencia contract.

Marca have reported that United are keeping tabs on Guerra and are working behind the scenes on a potential deal. It's suggested that Guerra had been offered a contract by the La Liga outfit, but it was swiftly rejected, indicating his head could be elsewhere.

United, should they pursue a deal, will be hoping it's with them and according to the same outlet, the Premier League side are readying a £21m bid. However, given Villarreal hold 30 per cent of Guerra's economic rights, Valencia want to hold out for over £23m instead - which is still a significant discount on his £87m release clause.

The Red Devils are said to have already struck an agreement on Guerra's personal terms.

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If United stick by their guns and refuse to match Valencia's valuation, they could instead be forced to look elsewhere for midfield reinforcements. One name that has emerged as a potential target is ex-Fulham ace Joao Palhinha, who joined Bayern Munich in a big-money deal last summer.

However, having started just six Bundesliga matches for the Bavarian outfit throughout their title-winning campaign, talk about Palhinha leaving Bayern has started to pick up. United have been mentioned as a potential suitor, but the 20-time champions are said to prefer a short-term loan deal.

That's unlikely to cut it for Bayern, who paid over £40m for the Portuguese ace last year, given they'd have to replace Palhinha in the squad. As such, it's likely only a cash offer would turn Bayern's head, with Palhinha himself likely to need some convincing.

Speaking during the Club World Cup, the 30-year-old said: "Obviously, it hasn't been an easy year for me, but I'm also very motivated to - as soon as the season starts - prove my worth once again, at a very special club like Bayern, a huge club. I have a contract with Bayern for another three years, so I'll report back on the 29 [July], which is when we start pre-season. Enjoying these vacation days with family and friends is the most important thing right now."