Alex Telles: Manchester United complete €15m signing of Porto left-back
United could pay further €2m in add-ons for 27-year-old
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Your support makes all the difference.Manchester United have completed the signing of Alex Telles from Porto in an initial €15m (£13.6m) deal, with the full-back signing a contract until 2024 with the option of an additional year.
United could pay a further €2m (£1.8m) in add-ons for the 27-year-old, who will provide much-needed competition for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first-choice left-back Luke Shaw.
“To join a club with the prestige of Manchester United is a huge honour," Telles said.
"You have to work hard to get to this moment in your career and now I am coming to this club, I can promise that I will give everything in my heart to be a success here.
"I won many trophies at FC Porto and I want to continue that at United. The manager has a clear plan and direction for this team and I can’t wait to pull on the famous shirt.”
Solskjaer said: "“First and foremost I welcome Alex to United. He is a player we have been tracking for some time and his performances over the past few years are exactly what we are looking for.
"He is a fighter and a winner and will add real determination and competition to the squad. Alex has the qualities, both as a player and as a person, that we want here at Manchester United.”
Telles has been on United’s radar since his spell at Galatasaray in 2014 and has been scouted extensively over the years since. United believe his profile made him the best option to provide competition
The Brazil international is expected to join free agent Edinson Cavani at Old Trafford as United swoop late to conduct business before Monday's transfer deadline.
Telles had entered the final year of his contract at Porto and United were struggling to agree a fee for a player who would be available on a free transfer next summer.
United were reluctant to meet Porto's initial asking price of €20m (£18.1m) but an agreement was found between the two clubs during negotiations on Sunday.
Telles flew into Manchester on Monday to complete his medical and will now travel to join up with the Brazil national team.
Despite Telles' arrival at Old Trafford, United are likely to keep fellow left-back Brandon Williams as part of Solskjaer's squad.
Williams has attracted loan interest from Southampton but, following Diogo Dalot's loan exit to Milan, Solskjaer does not want the naturally right-footed 20-year-old to depart.
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