River Plate star Nicolas De La Cruz is on Manchester United’s transfer list after establishing himself in the Uruguay team with Edinson Cavani, according to reports.
The midfielder has shone for River and earned his first international cap last season, while he has played in all three of Uruguay’s Copa America games so far this summer, most recently in Thursday’s victory over Bolivia.
De La Cruz’s displays have alerted some teams in Europe, with TNT Sports saying the Red devils are one of five clubs ready to make an offer.
The midfielder, who is an important player at River, will command a fee of between £13.7m and £17.2m and would represent one of the club’s biggest sales.
Although River and manager Marcelo Gallardo are loathe to lose such a key player, they are now resigned to his exit with so many team interested in his signature.
In addition to United, Fiorentina are also looking at De La Cruz and already have some South American players including Uruguay star Martin Caceres.
But United player Cavani , and TNT Sports have suggested that the 34-year-old – who recently signed a contract extension at the club – may have recommended his teammate to the club.
United have a couple of South American players themselves, including Brazilians Fred and Alex Telles, while they signed Uruguay’s Facundo Pellistri from Penarol last summer through Diego Forlan’s recommendation.
De La Cruz has been linked with other Premier League teams in the past, which includes Everton and Manchester City.
Solskjaer is said to be in the market for a midfielder this summer, though a more defensive player is what they are looking for whereas De La Cruz is a creative, attacking midfielder more in the mould of Bruno Fernandes & van de Beek.