Manchester United have endured a frustrating summer in the transfer market, but there’s still time for Jose Mourinho and co. to get it together and make the changes necessary to the squad late on.
While dream moves for big names like Gareth Bale and Robert Lewandowski are now surely out of the question, some more realistic links keep popping up, while a number of unwanted players could also leave to help push things along.
Here’s a look at four names who could be heading out and three perhaps most likely to come in before the transfer deadline next week…
IN – Ivan Rakitic
First up, Don Balon report that Mourinho is eager to sign Ivan Rakitic as a specific target to improve his midfield options for the season ahead.
The experienced Croatia international seems an ideal fit for the way the Portuguese likes his teams to play, and has won the lot with Barcelona in recent years, as well as playing a key role as his country reached their first ever World Cup final this summer.
It remains to be seen if Barca would let such a key player go after already losing Andres Iniesta and Paulinho as options in midfield, but it’s a signing that makes sense for United after Michael Carrick’s retirement.
OUT – Paul Pogba
As also noted by Don Balon, United’s interest in Rakitic comes from Paul Pogba also being lined up in midfield by Barcelona this summer.
It hasn’t worked out for the France international at Old Trafford and playing in a more attack-minded side where he can express himself seems a good move to revive his career.
It remains to be seen if such a high-profile exchange can be sorted out this late on in the transfer window, but we’ve seen stranger things happen!
IN – Willian
It was recently claimed by Mundo Deportivo that Manchester United are willing to pay Chelsea’s £62million asking price for Brazilian winger Willian.
The 29-year-old is another experienced and proven winner who could be a good fit for Mourinho’s system, as he’s shown by shining under his management when they were together at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea would surely prefer to avoid selling a key player like Willian to a rival this late on in the summer, but £62m for a player of his age could be seen as an offer that’s too good to turn down and one that could give the Blues plenty of opportunities to reinvest in another quality attacker.
OUT – Anthony Martial
Linked with an exit for much of this summer after falling down the pecking order last season, Anthony Martial is currently notably AWOL from the club’s pre-season camp.
The France international left the squad to be around for the birth of his son, but as noted by the Manchester Evening News, has angered Mourinho by failing to report back when expected, with the Red Devils boss now prepared to sell.
Various big clubs have been linked with Martial this summer and he shouldn’t be short of suitors, but much will surely depend on whether United can bring in a replacement like Willian in attack.
IN – Yerry Mina
The Sun claim Manchester United are in Spain working on a £35million transfer swoop for Barcelona defender Yerry Mina.
The Colombia international seems a decent alternative to more expensive defensive targets linked with MUFC this summer, and most fans would surely take him.
Mina may have struggled for regular playing time at the Nou Camp, but would surely be a decent enough upgrade on the likes of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones at the back for Mourinho’s side.
OUT – Marcos Rojo
And speaking of defenders who aren’t really good enough for United, Goal claim Marcos Rojo could be on his way out before the end of the summer after becoming a target for Everton.
That same piece also states the Toffees have been trying to sign Mina from Barcelona, but if United do step up their interest as the Sun suggests they have, then it could make sense for Everton to move for Rojo instead.
It would also surely free up the Argentine to move on as United would have sufficient defensive cover for the new season.
OUT – Matteo Darmian
Finally, another backup player who surely has no future in Manchester, Matteo Darmian has been linked with a variety of Serie A clubs this summer.
The latest from Sky Sports is that Napoli have confirmed an interest in signing the Italy international on loan with a view to a permanent deal.
If United can offload these four, whilst spending £97m on Mina and Willian, and landing Rakitic as part of the Pogba deal, there’s a decent case for saying they’d come out stronger for it.
While many would be disappointed not to see Pogba and Martial make it, one imagines Mourinho would have more luck getting Rakitic and Willian to play the way he wants, and build a more cohesive system with these more experienced pros on the books.
Mina might not be everyone’s pick in defence, but he’s a cheap option and at 23 has his best years ahead of him.
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