Manchester United should consider using the clause in Adnan Januzaj’s contract to bring him back to Old Trafford in what would be an admittedly risky transfer.
While the Belgium international has not exactly set the world alight at Real Sociedad, he had his moments at the World Cup this summer as his side reached the semi-finals of the competition, including scoring a solo stunner against England to remind us all of his immense talent.
Januzaj may have failed to build on a promising start to his United career a few years ago, but he was arguably harshly overlooked by Louis van Gaal as he caught his eye in the team just before being surprisingly farmed out on loan to Borussia Dortmund in what must have been a real blow to his morale.
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According to HLN, the 23-year-old is now attracting interest from Leicester City in the final week of the summer transfer window, in what could make a smart signing for the Foxes to replace Riyad Mahrez after his move to Manchester City.
One can well imagine Januzaj doing well at a club like Leicester, who have got the best out of a number of relatively low-profile players with a point to prove.
Still, well-connected Belgian journalist Kristof Terreur has tweeted that United have a special clause that allows them first refusal on their former player, and we think they should be right in there to activate it now.
Leicester are seriously interested in signing Adnan Januzaj. Man United have a first option to sign him back. #lcfc #mufc (via @niels_27) pic.twitter.com/R4AsVhBbOZ
— Kristof Terreur ? (@HLNinEngeland) August 2, 2018
Otherwise, they could live to regret it as this former wonderkid finally fulfils his potential in the Premier League.
United also look in desperate need of more inspiration in the attacking midfield department after the slow start made by Alexis Sanchez last season, while Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford also look to have gone backwards.
Mundo Deportivo have claimed United would be ready to pay as much as £62million to sign Willian from Chelsea, but why not go for a cheaper and younger option instead?
GOAL! Januzaj gives @BelRedDevils the lead with a fantastic curling finish! pic.twitter.com/r2yIOomuwt
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 28, 2018
Januzaj would already know the club, the city, and the fans, and would surely relish this chance to come in and show he can still become an Old Trafford great.
Deals for bigger names like Willian are surely a tad ambitious at this point in the transfer window anyway, so it looks like it’s time for United to gamble on their former cast-off before someone else does.