Man United back in for Sancho, but where else will they strengthen?
Gary Neville believes Man United are out of the race for Kane and Haaland after Cavani’s new deal… so what does it mean for their summer business? They’re back in for £77m Sancho, while Varane could be Solskjaer’s long-term partner for Maguire
- Manchester United are reportedly back in for Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho
- Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will also hope to bolster a few other areas of his side
- Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville believes Sancho would be United’s only signing
- But the Red Devils have been linked with a number of top stars across Europe
- Sportsmail breaks down United’s possible transfer targets ahead of the summer
Manchester United will also be linked with the biggest names in the game – and a long-time target is now rumoured to be back on their list in Jadon Sancho.
The Red Devils were hunting the Borussia Dortmund midfielder for the entirety of last summer but hit a brick wall in negotiations with the German outfit, who refused to budge in their £100million valuation. Now, United hope to land him at around £77m with two years left on his contract, according to BILD.
Should they get their man and shed out that huge fee, it could leave them struggling to fund further moves despite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer being keen to strengthen his side across multiple positions.
Manchester United are said to be back in the running to land Jadon Sancho (left) this summer, but boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (right) will be chasing a number of targets
Edinson Cavani agreeing a new deal could impact their plans to sign a new forward
United are set to finish the season strongly and cement second place, but they’ll need to address a number of areas if they want to be among the teams battling City for the title next term. However, club legend Gary Neville believes they will only focus on getting Sancho over the line after Edinson Cavani signed a new deal.
Supporters would argue that the club should not rest on their laurels, however, with many highlighting the need for Harry Maguire to have a solid centre-back partner, more depth in central midfield and a striker who can guarantee 20-plus goals-a-season.
Sportsmail goes through the players who could still be top targets for Manchester United this season as they chase Sancho.
Former United star Gary Neville believes Sancho would be United’s only summer business
Erling Haaland
You’ll always be after the one who got away, and United are still hurting after the young Norwegian spurned their advances in favour of Borussia Dortmund in 2019.
Then just a teenager and one of the brightest talents in world football, the striker seemed tailormade for United as a forward who could lead the line over the coming years, but after a dispute with his agent Mino Raiola, he opted for the Bundesliga and he hasn’t looked back.
One-and-a-half seasons have seen him blitz his way to 53 goals, with United still in the frame to take him off Dortmund’s hands as he continues to drop hints he could depart this summer – with his representatives holding informal talks with a number of teams across Europe.
Erling Haaland got away from United before, but could finally be on his way to Old Trafford
Haaland has shown he is one of the top forwards out there if they seek a reliable goalscorer
But with United are said to be chasing his team-mate Sancho, it will make their job much harder to sign Haaland too as Dortmund are unlikely to want to cash in on their two best players.
Cavani putting pen to paper on a new £250,000 a week deal has complicated matters too – United chiefs may think twice about shelling out for a new forward now, but it can be argued that while the Uruguayan is a quality squad option, at 34 he is not going to offer a regular influx of goals in the top flight.
If United want that breed of striker to take them to the next level, it’s Haaland.
Harry Kane
Option No 2 as far as strikers go – and arguably a more feasible one.
With Tottenham unlikely to finish in the top four again and ending the season without a trophy – or a manager – it’s surely never been a better time for Old Trafford officials to pounce on a wounded animal and snap up a long-term target.
The England captain is the Premier League’s top scorer with 21 – and top assister with 13 – and is a no-brainer signing for United as someone who knows the league and has constantly proven he can score goals at the highest level.
Manchester United are set to be linked with Harry Kane once again in the next transfer window
He was the top scorer at the 2018 World Cup, has two top-flight golden boots and has reached three cup finals for Spurs, but he has admitted that he wants ‘team trophies’ rather than personal awards – United could offer that with silverware running through their DNA.
‘When I look back at the end of my career, these are all the things I’ll go over and take in a little bit more,’ he said after being named player of the year at the London Football Awards, ‘But the goal right now as a player is to win team trophies.
‘As much as this is great, I want to be winning the biggest team prizes. We’re not quite doing that. It’s bittersweet, but it is what it is.’
With Kane in the team – and possibly Sancho too – the team would have a much better chance of achieving winners’ medals, while his current employers slip deeper and deeper into mediocrity despite high hopes after moving into their £1bn stadium.
Kane has grown frustrated at Spurs after failing to get back in the top four and win a trophy
The Red Devils can offer Kane the one thing he craves most in his career – silverware
The 28-year-old has reportedly held talks with Spurs supremo Daniel Levy, asking him to listen to offers should they arrive this summer, with United said to be lining up a huge £90m bid.
Kane has been urged to depart by the likes of Alan Shearer and Teddy Sheringham – who once made the move from Spurs to United – and he has previously made himself clear that he would not stay with his boyhood club ‘for the sake of it’ if they were not improving as a team.
But with three years still remaining on his deal in north London, Levy will play hard-ball – and could hold out for a world record fee for one of the best strikers in Europe.
Jack Grealish
Another player seemingly forever linked to United – Grealish has enjoyed arguably his best ever season with Aston Villa after penning fresh terms in September.
The midfielder has six goals and 10 assists this season, playing a huge part in ensuring there will be no relegation worries for the Villans this term, and should he get a chance to impress at the Euros this summer, his value could increase further.
Liverpool and Man City are among the clubs said to be rivalling United for Grealish, who has struggled with injuries in this campaign, but his agent Jonathan Barnett moved to pour cold water on a possible move to Old Trafford.
Jack Grealish has long been a target for United and is enjoying a superb season for Aston Villa
His agent has played down links to United, but Solskjaer will still be keen to lure him to the club
‘The truth is we don’t know (what will happen),’ Barnett said this week. ‘There are many clubs (interested) and I wouldn’t put Manchester United at the top of that (list).
‘But he could stay. He could stay as well so it’s a conversation the club, Aston Villa, will have with Jack and ourselves then we’ll see where we go.’
With the 25-year-old now back in training, he will be bidding to show his qualities and possibly put himself in the shop window should be considering an exit.
He missed the chance to showcase himself against United in their 3-1 loss to the Red Devils but has four games left if he can get himself fully fit again, before the Euros comes around.
Raphael Varane
United have been on the lookout for a quality new centre-back option for quite some time, and while a host of players have made their way in to try and shore up the back-line, fans and pundits have still been left looking for a more experienced star.
Harry Maguire has come in to claim the club captaincy and looks like the closest thing United have had to the old days of a solid, old fashioned central defender, but some have claimed he needs a quality name alongside him.
That man could be Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane, seen as one of the best defenders in world football – with Los Blancos struggling financially after being hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Raphael Varane could be the world class centre-back option Man United have been looking for
Solskjaer wants to find an experienced head who can fill in alongside captain Harry Maguire
Last month reports claimed the Frenchman had told friends his ‘time is over’ in the Spanish capital, putting long-time admirers United on red alert. His contract with Madrid is up at the end of next season, which could put them in pole position.
Chelsea have also been linked with a £60m move for Varane, and hopes of landing the World Cup winner have been boosted with the Spanish giants set to sign Bayern Munich’s David Alaba on a free transfer.
United have conceded 36 goals in the top flight this season – the third fewest in the division, but someone like Varane could really take them to the next level as they bid to keep up with City – who made the signing of the season in Ruben Dias last year.
Yves Bissouma
Brighton’s tough-tackling defensive midfielder has reportedly asked to leave the AMEX this summer, giving hope to Liverpool, Arsenal and United of signing the 24-year-old – who has caught the eye since moving to the Premier League in 2018.
His latest season was a particular standout – putting in some steely performances in the heart of Graham Potter’s midfield, starting 32 out of their 35 games and helping to ensure they survived another relegation fight.
But now the Mali international appears ready to step up a level, with the Times reporting this week that he had made it clear to Seagulls chiefs he was seeking a big move, although United would have to do battle with Liverpool, City and Arsenal – who are all said to be chasing his signature.
United have two decent defensive midfield options in Fred and Nemanja Matic, but with so many brilliant players going forward, Solskjaer could do with more depth in that position to quash the counter-attacking threat. And with Matic turning 33 this summer he will be looking towards the future.
Yves Bissouma has had a superb season with Brighton and is reportedly seeking a big move
Raphinha
A possible alternative for United should they fail to snap up Sancho.
Links to the Leeds United star ramped up last month when Bruno Fernandes hailed the Brazilian and his ‘amazing’ season under Marcelo Bielsa.
He played alongside Raphinha when the pair were at Sporting Lisbon, and his comments sparked suggestions they could be set for a reunion at Old Trafford, with United said to be monitoring his situation.
Leeds star Raphinha is said to be interesting United after some sparkling displays on the wing
An impressive campaign has seen him score six goals and lay on seven assists, but injury ruled him out of Leeds’ 0-0 draw against United, and midfielder Fred admitted they were hoping he would not be on the pitch as he revealed Fernandes had been raving about the winger.
‘Bruno’s been talking about Raphinha ever since he arrived. They played together at Sporting,’ Fred told United’s official website.
‘He’s a great player having an amazing season and a lot of clubs have their eye on him. I met him recently, great guy, excellent player but… I hope he won’t be lining up against us! [laughs]
‘I wish him a quick recovery and a lot of success in his career. He’s a stand-out star player for Leeds so, of course, it’s better for us if he’s not on the pitch.’
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