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An amazing Xl of players already linked with Man Utd moves this summer

Manchester United have only just finished what is being viewed as a breakthrough season for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s young side – but dozens of high-profile players have already been linked with the club.

United enjoyed a brilliant second half of the season, picking up more points in the Premier League than any other club following the arrival of Bruno Fernandes, but they will undoubtedly want to strengthen as they look to build another team capable of challenging for the title.

Whether they are really looking for a player in every single position as the rumour mill suggests is very much open to debate, but just to sum up the madness of the transfer window, here is a full XI of top-class players from around Europe they’ve been linked with by the media.

GK: Jan Oblak

United have had issues in the goalkeeping department over the last two seasons with David de Gea making a series of high-profile errors.

But the Red Devils do have Dean Henderson returning to the club, who has had two impressive loan spells at Sheffield United.

If United really are looking to trigger the €100million exit clause in Jan Oblak’s Atletico Madrid contract, as The Sun claim, it would surely mean De Gea moving on.

RB: Achraf Hakimi

United are well stocked at right-back with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Diogo Dalot and Timothy Fosu-Mensah, but that hasn’t stopped the rumour mill.

This one definitely won’t be happening, however, as, after spending two seasons on loan with Borussia Dortmund, Hakimi has left Real Madrid and joined Inter Milan in a £36million permanent deal.

According to Spanish outlet AS, the 21-year-old also had the chance to join United but knocked back the Premier League side’s advances. Hmmm.

CB: Kalidou Koulibaly

Koulibaly has been a regular in United transfer columns over the last few years and 2020 has been no exception.

United have been more resolute at the back in 2019-20, but The Independent say Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been ‘ruminating’ over whether to still add a new centre-back to his squad.

Koulibaly has long been at the top of United’s list there, the report adds, but for good measure they also mention interest in Inter’s Milan Skriniar, Swansea City’s Joe Rodon and…

CB: Dayot Upamecano

Upamecano has developed into one of the most sought after centre-backs in Europe since joining RB Leipzig from Red Bull Salzburg in 2017.

In April 2020, Sky Sports reported that United and Manchester City were both weighing up a move for the defender ahead of the summer transfer window, news backed up in The Independent report.

A move would appear unlikely given the 21-year-old recently signed a new contract with the Bundesliga side, but he wouldn’t be the first player to commit then quit.

READ: 10 players to commit their future to a club then leave: Figo, Suarez, Campbell

LB: Alex Telles

Telles has enjoyed another brilliant season for Porto, contributing 13 goals and nine assists in all competitions from left-back.

Portuguese outlet Correiro da Manha claim that United are ‘going to advance’ to sign the 27-year-old this summer, and that he’ll be available for just €30million.

The Red Devils currently have a much-improved Luke Shaw at left-back, while Brandon Williams has recently signed a new long-term contract at Old Trafford.

CM: Eduardo Camavinga

Camavinga is regarded as one of the most promising young talents in European football after an incredible breakthrough season at Rennes.

The midfielder made 25 appearances in Ligue 1 in 2019-20, helping Rennes to third place when the season was curtailed at the end of May.

Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo report that United have made multiple ‘proposals’ for the 17-year-old but say he has already given his approval to Real Madrid.

READ: ‘He brings the ball to life’ – Seven quotes on Man Utd target Eduardo Camavinga

CM: Donny van de Beek

Van de Beek rose to prominence in 2018-19 after playing a key role in Ajax’s run to the Champions League semi-finals.

According to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, United are looking to hijack Real Madrid’s move for the 23-year-old, with the club valuing him at £36million.

We’re not going to talk down this one – United legend Edwin van der Saar, who is now CEO of the Dutch giants, has actually confirmed the Red Devils’ interest in the midfielder.

“It’s clear that clubs like Real Madrid and United are showing interest in Donny van de Beek,” Van der Sar told Dutch outlet NOS in June.

READ: Eight quotes on Donny van de Beek: Loved by both Bergkamp and Cruyff

CM: Jack Grealish

Grealish was one of the Premier League’s standout performers in 2019-20 despite Aston Villa’s struggles, scoring eight goals and providing six assists.

His form has seen him linked heavily with a move to Old Trafford and the Manchester Evening News claim that United ‘stepped up’ their interest in February.

We’re never quite sure what that means, but former Villa boss Tim Sherwood is convinced Grealish is United-bound. “I think Jack Grealish is a deal which is already done,” he told Premier League Productions in July 2020. “He’s a player that they need. I honestly believe there’s only one club for Jack Grealish.

“I don’t think he can stay at Aston Villa, he needs to progress his career. I think he signs for Manchester United.”

But it has also been reported that United are ready to walk away from a potential deal after becoming frustrated by Villa’s £80million valuation. Stepping down.

RW: Jadon Sancho

Sancho looks set to leave Borussia Dortmund this summer after registering 17 goals and 16 assists in 32 Bundesliga appearances in 2019-20, equating to a goal or assist every 69.4 minutes.

 

The Guardian claim that United are close to agreeing a fee for the 20-year-old and that the England international has already agreed personal terms on a five-year contract at Old Trafford.

READ: Comparing Jadon Sancho’s 2019-20 stats to Man Utd’s existing forwards

ST: Moussa Dembele

United chose not to replace Romelu Lukaku last summer and The Sun report that they are now lining up a £60million move for Dembele.

The 24-year-old joined Lyon from Celtic in 2018 and has become one of the most exciting forwards in European football, scoring 31 goals in 60 league appearances for the Ligue 1 side.

But Anthony Martial’s form and Mason Greenwood’s emergence in 2019-20 mean a striker surely isn’t seen as a priority for United, particularly if Sancho does come in.

LW: Kingsley Coman

Despite only being 24, Coman has won nine straight league titles across spells at Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Bayern Munich.

However, he has fallen down the pecking order at Bayern following the big-money arrival of Leroy Sane from Manchester City.

The Athletic reports that United have ‘held talks’ over a potential move for the winger, who is believed to be keen on an Old Trafford move.


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