Manchester United are today linked with Athletic Bilbao midfielder De Marcos. What can we tell you about him?
Manchester United’s search for a new midfielder next season has turned them towards their Europa League conquerors, Athletic Bilbao. It is not the usual names of Javi Martinez or Ander Herrera this time, but the less heralded Oscar de Marcos, with the Mirror claiming a deal could cost £26 million. Here are five facts about him…
1) De Marcos celebrated his 23rd birthday five days ago and has to date made 41 appearances for Bilbao already this season.
2) He has played in a variety of positions in midfield and defence. Predominantly he has played as an orthodox central midfielder, but also playing as an attacking midfielder and in the holding role as well as left-midfield. He has also played at right-back and at left-back, where he has scored two goals from this season, and could be cover for Patrice Evra if Fabio goes out on loan as expected.
3) Unlike his teammate Javi Martinez, De Marcos has never been capped for Spain. He has featured for the under-21 side, and there is a possibility he could be selected for Spain’s Olympic team later this year.
4) He has not always been at Bilbao, signing from Alaves in 2009, signing for under £300,000, and scored his first ever goal for the club against Barcelona on his domestic debut.
5) Manchester United will certainly know him well- he scored in both legs of their Europa League ties, at Old Trafford and at the San Mames.
Our view is that De Marcos would be a terrific addition to United’s squad, by virtue of both his talent and versatility. He would be a far better addition than Wesley Sneijder, 28 in June, who was again this week linked with a move to Old Trafford. The price tag does seem high, but the club would be getting a lot for it in return. The price tag is simply the going rate right now for Spain’s best talent, and it is surely only a matter of time before he is called up to the senior international squad.
images: © birasuegi, © Jack Tanner
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