Davide Frattesi, a standout for Sassuolo, is allegedly a target for Manchester United as manager Erik ten Hag looks to bolster his midfield this summer.

What’s new with Frattesi going to Manchester United?

The Red Devils have reportedly been mentioned as a prospective suitor for the 23-year-old ahead of the forthcoming transfer window, while it also appears that high-flying Brighton and Hove Albion are interested in the playmaker.

The article implies that the Seagulls are’ready to compete’ for the signature of the upcoming star, even if United has a’strong interest’ in the former Roma youth product who still has three years left on his current contract.

According to earlier rumours, the four-cap Italy international could demand a fee of about €40 million (£35 million) if either Premier League team wants to gain an advantage in the competition for Frattesi’s services.

What kind of play does Davide Frattesi make?

Intriguingly, the Rome-born maestro is said to have several statistical and stylistic traits in common with Adrien Rabiot, another of Ten Hag’s targets, according to FBref, demonstrating that Frattesi could be a dream replacement for the towering Frenchman.

The ability of the two Italian-based midfielders to have an influence in the final third is evidence of their similarity. The Sassuolo player has scored seven goals in 36 games, while the latter has eight in 29 Serie A games this season.

The fact that Frattesi ranks in the top 3% of players in his position in Europe’s top five leagues for touches in the attacking penalty area, while the Juventus player is only slightly behind him as he ranks in the top 13% in that regard, also reveals such willingness to make a difference in an offensive sense.

Rabiot-Frattesi-Ten-Hag-Man-United-Premier-League-transfer
The duo’s prowess with the ball and carrying the ball, as demonstrated by Frattesi’s 137 progressive passes and 73 progressive carries in the league this season and Rabiot’s 118 and 56 for the same two metrics, respectively, could also serve as a creative spark for Ten Hag’s midfield ranks.

These similarities should suggest that the “super talented” Italian, as described by journalist Fabrizio Romano, would be a more than shrewd replacement for the former Paris Saint-Germain player, especially in light of recent reports that Ten Hag may be looking to add a more youthful midfielder this summer.

Although Rabiot’s contract is about to expire and the 28-year-old would be eligible for a free transfer, a move to Manchester for the £152k-per-week asset collapsed last year owing to his alleged pay demands, raising doubts about a potential fresh approach.

The fact that Frattesi and Ten Hag share such striking parallels would suggest that the younger man could also fit in well at the Theatre of Dreams next season. Ten Hag’s interest in the Juve star shows that he is the type of player that the former Ajax manager is looking for.