Manchester United’s midfield rebuild is picking up real steam, and the next name on the board might come at a serious discount.
Hugo Larsson, the Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder who has drawn comparisons to Rodri for his mix of size and composure, reportedly had his asking price slashed by the Bundesliga club. According to German outlet Absolut Fussball, Frankfurt would now listen to offers around €40 million (£34 million) — down from the €60 million (£50 million) they wanted last summer.
That is a significant drop for a 22-year-old who has become one of the more intriguing defensive midfield prospects in Europe. Larsson stands 6’2″ but moves better than most players his size. Analyst Ben Mattinson has described his “insane running power and stamina,” and there’s film to back it up. He covers ground quickly, reads passing lanes well, and has a real physical presence without the ball.
But he is not just a destroyer. Larsson is comfortable receiving the ball under pressure and turning out of tight spaces. That combination — size, mobility, and composure in possession — is rare. It is also exactly what Manchester United need next to Kobbie Mainoo.
The club has already made moves this summer. They agreed a £50 million deal with Chelsea for Andrey Santos and triggered the £35 million release clause in Youri Tielemans’ contract with Aston Villa. Those are two very different midfielders — Santos is more of a box-to-box presence, Tielemans is a passer and playmaker. What they still lack is a true anchor, a player who can sit deep, break up attacks, and start moves from the base of midfield.
Larsson fits that profile. And according to reports from Germany, both Manchester United and Newcastle United have held talks with his representatives. The Swede is reportedly open to leaving Frankfurt for a bigger club. Arsenal, Liverpool, and Atletico Madrid have all been linked at various points, but United’s interest appears most serious right now.
If INEOS can land Larsson for around £34 million, the total spend on midfield reinforcements this summer would sit just under £120 million. That is roughly what Manchester City paid for Elliot Anderson last year. For a club trying to rebuild an entire engine room in one window, that feels like a reasonable price for a player with Larsson’s trajectory.
Frankfurt has a history of developing young talent and selling high. They know the market. But dropping the price by a third suggests they are ready to move on this summer rather than risk his value dipping further. Whether United can close the deal before someone else steps in remains the open question.
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