Manchester United ‘want to sign a minimum of five players’ in the summer transfer window to strengthen their squad with centre midfield the crucial position
Manchester United reportedly want to splash the cash on at least five summer signings to strengthen their squad for next season.
United are set for a pivotal summer ahead after confirming Champions League football for next season, and Michael Carrick will be hoping to seal a third place finish to give him every chance of landing the job permanently after winning 10 of his 15 matches as interim boss to this point.
However, for United to think about kicking on from their resurgence over the second half of the season, incomings will be needed in the centre of midfield with the absence of Casemiro in the goalless draw against Sunderland showing the glaring void the 34-year-old will leave when his contract expires in the coming weeks.
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Therefore, it’s reported by The Sun that United intend to sign three central midfielders, as well as a left back and a back-up striker. Players between the ages of 22 and 26 are primarily being targeted.
A new goalkeeper has also been considered to provide support for Senne Lammens with Altay Bayindir evidently not good enough to deputise for the promising Belgian. Although the form of Radek Vitek during his loan spell at Bristol City will leave his future under strong consideration.
Among the midfield targets, Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba have all been tracked, while United have also held informal discussions with the representatives of Wolves ace Joao Gomes.
West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes is appreciated and has been monitored by Jason Wilcox, who was director of football at Southampton, where the 21-year-old played before joining the relegation-threatened Irons last summer.
Aurelien Tchouameni is also likely to be available from Real Madrid following his involvement in a training ground altercation with Federico Valverde.
United are hoping to sign at least two midfielders, but are prepared to finance a deal for a third target if Manuel Ugarte is sold. However, the club would need a fee of at least £25.8m for the Uruguayan to avoid a loss under PSR rules.
At left-back, Arsenal teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly has been recommended as a potential option to compete with Luke Shaw.
Lewis-Skelly looked likely to be one of the most obvious departures from the Emirates this season to finance further spending for Mikel Arteta’s side, but the 19-year-old has started the previous three games in midfield.
It remains to be seen who United are set to pursue as a back-up option to Benjamin Sesko with Joshua Zirkzee again failing to impress in the drab draw against Sunderland.
The 24-year-old has suitors across Europe and looks more likely than not to head out of the exit door this summer if United’s reported asking price of £35million can be met.