TRANSFER NEWS: Man United open talks to sign Mario Hermoso on a free transfer

There is a story from Spain that Manchester United has had “official contacts” with Mario Hermoso’s agents about signing the former Atletico Madrid back for free.

A Spanish reporter named Máximo de la Cruz Ramírez Ramírez says that Old Trafford officials have started talks with Heromoso, whose deal with Atletico ended in June.

The source says that the defender wants a deal that lasts three years and pays €6 million a year.

During his five years at the club, the 29-year-old back played 131 times and helped Diego Simeone’s team win La Liga in 2021. It was only the second time in the last twenty years that a team other than Barcelona or Madrid had won Spain’s first division.

The defence strength of Simeone’s teams is what makes them strong. Hermoso has been a regular player in the Argentine coach’s back line for five years, which shows how good he is as a defender.

The Spanish player is very good at football and can play either left back or centre back. One of the main reasons United is allegedly interested in the 29-year-old is that he can play in a lot of different positions.

Erik ten Hag can’t decide who to put in defence for this weekend’s Community Shield game at Wembley against Manchester City.

Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, and Luke Shaw may not be fully healthy, and Tyrell Malacia and Leny Yoro are definitely hurt for a long time. This means that the Dutch manager may have to use 36-year-old Jonny Evans at centre back and 17-year-old Harry Amass at left back.

So, it seems like a no-brainer to try to get a free move of a seasoned defender with Champions League and international experience who can play in either of these trouble spots.

Hermoso could be moved, but it would be too late for United’s game against their local rivals tomorrow. If they could make a deal quickly, though, Hermoso would be a great addition to Ten Hag’s team before next week’s season start at Old Trafford against Fulham.