Manchester United are eyeing midfielders in the summer transfer window, with Frenkie de Jong and Christian Eriksen among those being considered, as forwards become increasingly tough to come by.
Now that the summer transfer market has officially opened, things are heating up for Manchester United, with Erik ten Hag seeking up reinforcements.
United are clearly interested in midfield, as Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata, and Jesse Lingard are all likely to leave at the end of the month. Frenkie de Jong of Barcelona remains a top priority for Ten Hag, with talks now underway, while the prospect of signing Christian Eriksen as a free agent has piqued United’s interest.
But there’s still a lot more work to be done at Old Trafford, with additions in various positions – as well as exits – required. The success of United’s forthcoming 2022/23 season may be determined by their off-season efforts, so let’s take a look at the most recent transfer rumors surrounding the club.
The key is in the hands of Martial.
Much of the attention is presently focused on who might join United this summer, but ESPN says that Anthony Martial’s future will be crucial. The 26-year-old has recently returned from a loan spell at Sevilla that did not go as planned, and United may find it difficult to attract suitors.
Martial, who is under contract until June 2024 and earns a reputed £240,000 per week, is unlikely to make Ten Hag’s starting lineup next season. United are looking to bolster their assault this summer, and both Ajax’s Antony and RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku are on their wish list.
With the departures of Pogba, Matic, Mata, and Lingard, the attention now shifts to midfield. That means taking Martial’s huge salaries off the books could be crucial to bringing in a player of Antony’s or Nkunku’s caliber.
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Osimhen’s thoughts on United’s ties
Victor Osimhen of Napoli is another player who has been linked with Manchester United in recent times. With Darwin Nunez off to Liverpool and Erling Haaland joining Manchester City, United are in need of a statement signing to play up front.
Osimhen picked up 18 goals and six assists in 32 appearances for Napoli last season and has frequently been linked with a big-money move away from the Italian club. The 23-year-deal old’s runs through June 2025, and he isn’t cheap. The man himself isn’t buying into the rumors.
“What does the future hold for me?” I know there are many rumours about Spain and England,” Osimhen told Il Corriere dello Sport . “But I don’t think it’s the right time to talk about it now that I’m with the national team. I don’t know what the future has in store for me, I know that anything can happen. Now, I want to go on holiday now and recharge and then we’ll think about the rest.”
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Vitinha heads up De Jong alternatives
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De Jong is the main transfer target for United this summer, with central midfield crucially important to Ten Hag’s plans. The problem is money. Barcelona are reportedly happy to sell, but are looking for £86million (€100m), but United value the Dutchman at around £52m (€60m) with add-ons. That is some discrepancy.
It is in this context that other names have emerged. According to The Athletic , United have made an official offer to sign Eriksen as a free agent at the end of the month. The Danish midfielder is being courted by Brentford, for whom he had a brilliant few months last season, and former club Tottenham.
United have also been offered Porto midfielder Vitinha, who is valued at £35m by the Portuguese club and is being represented by Jorge Mendes. The 22-year-old midfielder spent a season on loan at Wolves during the 2020/21 campaign and was a key player for Porto last season, making 47 appearances in all competitions.
