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Football

04th Apr 2019

Declan Rice one of five players Man United want to sign this summer

Robert Redmond

It looks like it will be a very busy summer at Old Trafford.

Manchester United are set to have their busiest transfer window for in several years, with Declan Rice one of five players the club are looking to sign.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side could also lose as many as six players as they attempt to overhaul their squad.

According to The Times, and several other media outlets, Alexis Sanchez will be allowed to leave United if the club can find someone to take the Chilean off their hands.

Sanchez was signed from Arsenal in January 2018 to great fanfare, as part of a swap deal that took Henrikh Mkhitaryan to the Emirates. However, the move has not worked out.

Sanchez, who is reportedly the highest-paid player in the Premier League, has scored just five goals in 41 games.

Juan Mata and Ander Herrera could follow him out the exit door. Both are out of contract at the end of the season, and neither are reportedly close to signing new deals. Antonio Valencia will leave United in the summer when his contract expires, 10 years after he joined the club from Wigan Athletic. Matteo Darmian and Marcos Rojo are also available for transfer.

United are still negotiating a new contract with David de Gea, who has 14 months left on his current deal and will not entertain any thought of losing him this summer.

According to reports, the club also want to make several signings as Solskjaer seeks to put his own shape on the squad. They are understood to be looking to recruit a right back, a central defender, two midfielders and a forward.

Solskjaer is said to be a fan of West Ham midfielder Rice (20). The former Republic of Ireland international has impressed in a defensive midfield role for the Hammers this season, earning plaudits and a call-up to the England squad last month.

United’s interest in Jadon Sancho has been reported for months and the club will reportedly look to sign the 19-year-old this summer. Aaron Wan-Bissaka (21), the Crystal Palace right-back, is also said to be on the club’s transfer shortlist. As is Callum Hudson-Odoi (18), the Chelsea winger who has attracted interested from Bayern Munich. Hudson-Odoi has 14 months left on his contract at Stamford Bridge.

Solskjaer is also reportedly interested in Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez, who is said to be keen on a move to England. While the club are keeping an eye on Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane and Benfica forward Joao Felix.

United are no longer said to be interested in signing Gareth Bale.