In the space of one Friday, Manchester United more than doubled their transfer outlay for the summer.
Leicester City and Manchester United have agreed a fee of £85 million for England international Harry Maguire and the deal is set to be officially announced over the weekend. Good business and yet further United transfers remain the subject of much talk.
Added to Daniel James (from Swansea) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Crystal Palace) as United transfers, earlier this summer, the club have now outlaid £145m to strengthen their defence and add a promising young attacker to the ranks.
Given the fact that Tahith Chong, Axel Tuanzebe, James Garner and, in particular, Mason Greenwood have all acquitted themselves well in pre-season, there should be reasons for optimism at Old Trafford.
Interestingly, for all of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s talk of moving under-performing and -committed players on, only Antonio Valencia and Ander Herrera have departed the senior squad, and most United fans would have preferred to keep Herrera.
There remains the very real concern, for Solskjaer and the United faithful, that the likes of David De Gea and Paul Pogba could still move on after the Premier League season begins. United begin their league campaign against Chelsea on August 11, three days after the English window closes, while La Liga’s does not close until September 2.
Now that United have addressed a couple of vital issues in defence, their midfield could do with some freshening up. Scott McTominay looks set to press Nemanja Matic for a place in centre midfield and the club’s remaining transfer targets could add some real drive and creativity.
Paul Dybala (swap deal for Romelu Lukaku)
This one was mooted last season, and earlier this summer, but always appeared to be wishful thinking. Inter Milan were the favourites to get Romelu Lukaku but their reluctance to pay £70m say United hold firm. Juventus could do with Lukaku, who one suspects would prosper in Serie A, as they have sold Moise Kean and Gonzalo Higuain is flagging.
Dybala is reluctant to leave Juve but it would appear that Maurizio Sarri is happy to shed him after a busy transfer window for the Italian champions. The Argentine would bring goals and assists to the party, at United, and could play across the forward line and as a No.10.
Bruno Fernandes
The 24-year-old Sporting Lisbon captain made a name for himself in Serie A before returning home and racking up insane stats when it comes to goals and assists. Has impressed for Portugal in recent Nations League outings and Euro 2020 qualifiers too.
Fernandes looks all but certain to leave Sporting Club de Lisbon this summer and his representatives are attempting to waft him under the noses of both United and Tottenham in a bid to fetch £60m + for his services.
Should United get in Dybala and Fernandes, their Best XI suddenly has more bite.
A decent looking starting XI, and that leaves the likes of McTominay, Daniel James, Jess Lingard, Alexis Sanchez, Diogo Dalot, Fred, Juan Mata, Andreas Peirera, Chong and Greenwood all in reserve.
United transfers have been decent this summer but it remains to be seen how the squad will look come September 3, when windows slam shut across Europe.
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