United set to hire Juventus scouting chief

Manchester United are on the brink of making their second signing of the summer — though this one’s not of the usual sort. According to various reports, Juventus scouting manager Javier Ribalta is set to join José Mourinho’s backroom staff, having left the Italian champions earlier on Friday.

According to the Independent, Ribalta arrives to work alongside United’s incumbent chief scouts Jim Lawlor and Marcel Bout, rather than as a replacement. He had been at Juve for five years, and the Italian club wished him luck with his “new professional adventure” in a statement published on their website on Friday morning.

Of course, we don’t know exactly how much responsibility Ribalta can personally claim for Juve’s late success, but it goes without saying that they’ve been one of the most impressive recruiters in Europe. Without spending a great deal, they’ve established themselves as genuine Champions League contenders, and don’t look like letting up any time soon.

If Ribalta can bring any of their success to Old Trafford, he’ll be a great coup.