Man Utd transfer targets: Who the Red Devils are looking to sign this summer
- INEOS are overseeing their first transfer window at Manchester United
- Erik ten Hag staying on as manager after signing contract extension
- Club have been busy this summer with multiple new arrivals
With Erik ten Hag confirmed to be in Manchester United's dugout for the 2024/25 season, focus shifted towards a very important transfer window for the club.
Supporters will be pleading for greater hierarchical stability with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS coming to the fore, and this transfer window has been the first overseen by the new regime.
It's clear United need reinforcements if they're to put behind them the disappointment of a worst-ever Premier League finish (eighth) and they have already been busy bolstering their squad this summer. There may be more to come before the deadline arrives.
Positions Man Utd need to strengthen this summer
The Red Devils reportedly have three positions of need this summer: centre-back, central midfield, and striker. They're aiming to rejuvenate their core.
United have a cornerstone centre-back to build around in Lisandro Martinez, but the Argentine requires a long-term partner following Raphael Varane's exit. 18-year-old Leny Yoro has already arrived but the Red Devils have moved for another central defender in Matthijs de Ligt after Yoro picked up a significant injury in pre-season.
Kobbie Mainoo was a shining light in an otherwise dysfunctional midfield hampered by ageing legs and a pitiful defensive structure. United want to get younger and more athletic players in the middle of the park.
The club signed their potential long-term number nine last summer in Rasmus Hojlund, but the Dane's debut campaign was a mixed bag. While he enjoyed a productive purple patch in the new year, Hojlund otherwise struggled for goals and often failed to make a notable impact in games.
United don't necessarily need a striker to usurp the Dane, but one that can provide stiffer competition. They've turned to Joshua Zirkzee.
Man Utd's confirmed transfer targets
Having seen opening discussions for Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite break down, Man Utd turned their attention to Bayern Munich's Matthijs de Ligt. The Dutch international developed under Ten Hag at Ajax and has joined the Red Devils alongside Bayern teammate Noussair Mazraoui.
Benfica's Joao Neves had been mentioned with Ten Hag looking for midfield reinforcements, but he has signed for Paris Saint-Germain. United have considered several options, including the out-of-contract Adrien Rabiot, but they have landed on Uruguay midfielder Manuel Ugarte. He will sign before the deadline.
Man Utd transfer rumours
- Man Utd are prepared to hand Raheem Sterling a contract worth £150,000 per week to leave Chelsea this summer, but only if he accepts a role as a squad player. Sterling currently earns more than twice that sum. (Date: 29 August; Source: GIVEMESPORT)
- Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle United are all weighing up late plays to sign Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin ahead of Friday's transfer deadline. (Date: 28 August; Source: Football Insider)
- Juventus are awaiting a response from Man Utd regarding their offer to take Jadon Sancho on loan, with the Italian side needing part of the winger's hefty wage packet covered by his parent club for a deal to go through. (Date: 28 August; Source: Nicolo Schira)
- Beyond Juventus and Chelsea, German sides Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are potential destinations for Jadon Sancho. (Date: 28 August; Source: talkSPORT)
- Manchester United walked away from negotiations with Fiorentina over midfielder Sofyan Amrabat because of his €15m (£12.7m) price tag. (Date: 26 August; Source: Corriere dello Sport - Italy)
- Juventus want Manchester United to cover part of Jadon Sancho's salary to take the England winger on loan for the 2024/25 season. (Date: 25 August; Source: Gazzetta dello Sport)
- Juventus are reported to have opened talks with Manchester United regarding a possible transfer for Jadon Sancho, but reaching an overall agreement is expected to be difficult. (Date: 24 August: Source: The Athletic)
- Leny Yoro has an unwritten agreement with Manchester United which will allow him to join Real Madrid in the future for a fee of over €50m (£42.5m). (Date: 22 August; Source: Defensa Central - Spain)
- Liverpool are looking to sign £42.5m-rated Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie ahead of Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Man Utd and Tottenham Hotspur. (Date: 22 August; Source: Diaro Expreso - Spain)
- Man Utd have been offered the chance to sign Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell after he was told he is free to leave Stamford Bridge. (Date: 22 August; Source: talkSPORT)
- Atalanta have turned down a bid from Man Utd for midfielder Ederson, but a fresh proposal is expected to arrive. (Date: 22 August; Source: Alfredo Pedulla)
Who Man Utd could sell this summer
Mason Greenwood has left the club to join Marseille, while Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial departed as free agents at the end of last term. Jadon Sancho has also returned to the club having starred on loan at Borussia Dortmund down the stretch, and the winger is expected to move on permanently before the deadline with Juventus interested.
Altay Bayindir, Victor Lindelof, Christian Eriksen, and Antony could also be on the chopping block, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka has joined West Ham with Mazraoui coming in. Scott McTominay is heading to Napoli, teaming up with Antonio Conte in Naples.
Donny van de Beek and Willy Kambwala have signed for Girona and Villarreal respectively, with Alvaro Fernandez joining Benfica.
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