Manchester United have made a strong start to the summer and it could get even better if they manage to bring in three more of their top transfer targets.
So far, the Red Devils have landed exciting young defender Diogo Dalot from Porto, while a deal to sign Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk has been agreed, according to their official site.
They seem unlikely to stop there, however, with more additions clearly needed elsewhere on the pitch.
Of course, Jose Mourinho has had plenty to spend since he rocked up at Old Trafford, bringing in big names such as Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez.
But many of the flops from David Moyes and Louis van Gaal’s reigns remain and just a few more signings could be enough to finally give Mourinho the kind of squad he needs.
Here’s a look at three of their current targets who could ensure this ends up being a close to perfect summer for United…
Willian – £60m
The Daily Mail claim United are preparing a £60million bid for Chelsea winger Willian, who’d be a perfect upgrade on the likes of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford in attack.
The Brazil international has shone in his time in the Premier League, having first been brought to Stamford Bridge by Mourinho back in the summer of 2013.
An ideal Mourinho player, Willian would give more natural width and work rate out wide than players like Martial, which could truly allow players like Lukaku and Sanchez to shine up front.
Ivan Rakitic – £70million
Linked several times with Manchester United in recent months, Don Balon recently suggested they could try again for Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic in a swap deal involving Paul Pogba.
Either that, or another Don Balon piece suggests the Croatia international would cost £70m to prise away from the Catalan giants after a successful few years in which he’s played a key role in Champions League and La Liga title wins.
Rakitic seems ideal to add to United’s midfield after the retirement of Michael Carrick and with Marouane Fellaini heading towards the end of his contract.
Jerome Boateng – £50m
A world class centre-back with the Champions League and World Cup among his various major honours apparently available on the cheap, Manchester United could be in the running to sign Jerome Boateng for £50million, according to the Manchester Evening News.
The Red Devils would undoubtedly be a much better team next season if they could bring in someone like Boateng and keep Eric Bailly fit, meaning no more Chris Smalling, Phil Jones or Marcos Rojo starting regularly.
United saw rivals Manchester City spend big on new defenders last season as Aymeric Laporte, Kyle Walker, Benjamin Mendy and Danilo all came in, so it’s clear some investment is needed in the red half of Manchester as well.
It may be a big if, but United’s recent record in the transfer market suggests if anyone can do it they can, but bringing in Boateng, Rakitic and Willian would give them a significantly better chance of battling City for the title next season, and for £180m that actually looks reasonable spending in this current market.