Manchester United 'ready to offer a deal' for free agent and more transfer rumours

Manchester United are reportedly 'ready to offer' a deal for free agent Santiago Arias as Erik ten Hag looks to bring a seventh player to Old Trafford.

United's interest in Arias has been circulating for a while, but fresh reports from TeamTalk claim that Ten Hag is ready to take things one step further with the offer of a short-term deal. The Colombian international did not a sign new contract with Atletico Madrid over the summer and now finds himself without a club.

Ten Hag's tactical system means that his full-backs are vital to how he wants his team to play, with Diogo Dalot currently occupying the starting right-back role for United, over the out of favour Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Now it seems that Ten Hag is ready to bolster the position with the arrival of the 30-year-old who made 12 appearances for Atletico in La Liga last season.

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Elsewhere, Sport claim (via Caught Offside), that Barcelona passed up on the opportunity to sign Antony ahead of United this summer as they opted for Raphinha instead.

Negotiations for the Ajax winger went down to the wire, as Ten Hag finally got his wish after chasing the 22-year-old for the entire transfer window. The Brazilian even went on strike at the Dutch club, and after his debut goal against Arsenal, his celebrations showed just how badly he wanted the move to Old Trafford to be finalised.

Controversially, the Spanish outlet now claim that Xavi felt the former Leeds forward was more of a complete player and would fit their tactical set-up better than Antony. It is also reported that Raphinha's work rate was another decisive factor in the club's apparent decision to pass up on the chance to sign