Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is lining up a shock £10million move for Middlesbrough midfielder Marten De Roon
But United face competition from Italy for the Dutchman with Lazio and his former club Atalanta monitoring his situation
MANCHESTER UNITED are planning a shock move for Middlesbrough midfielder Marten De Roon.
The Dutch international joined Boro for £12million last summer and could be heading for the exit after just one season on Teesside.
Alongside defender Ben Gibson, the 26-year-old was one of the few positives from Boro’s doomed top flight campaign last term.
Jose Mourinho is looking to bolster his midfield options and could see De Roon as a useful addition with the added burden of Champions League football next season.
Former Boro boss Aitor Karanka, a close pal of Mourinho, could have recommended the box-to-box midfielder as one to go for this summer.
According to if United do make a move they face competition from his former club Atalanta and Lazio, who are looking to tempt him back to Italy.
De Roon could be available for a cut-price £10million, substantially cheaper than any of United’s other potential midfield targets.
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Mourinho singled out De Roon following United's 3-1 win at Boro in March.
The United boss said: "Boro have a good team, a solid midfield, this kid De Roon is phenomenal, his work-rate is phenomenal, they’re solid and they play direct."
De Roon is another player new Boro boss Garry Monk will want to keep hold of next season to help with an immediate return to the Premier League.
Monk is also fighting to keep defender Gibson at the Riverside with Chelsea among six clubs monitoring his situation.