Manchester United fans in the Transfer Tavern were disappointed to lose to West Brom yesterday, in a result which has opened the door for Manchester City to take advantage in the race for a top-four finish.
With Champions League football now looking out of reach, fans in the bar have started to discuss summer activity once again and it’s set to be an extremely busy period for Manchester United in particular- who could well be under the guidance of a new manager.
Speculation has increased since reports emerged that Jose Mourinho wants to make Mauro Icardi his first United signing and our punters are now debating which other players they could sign, as they hope to assemble a squad capable of fighting for honours.
Our landlord had a sit down with them to discuss their views and he’s given his own seal of approval to the shortlist they’ve sketched down onto a napkin.
Hit Mourinho below to see FIVE players who could follow him and Icardi to Manchester United!
[ffc-gallery]
[/ffc-gallery]
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Reports in the past week have stated Manchester United are keen to beat Arsenal to the signature of Borussia Dortmund star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and with the player’s signature likely to fetch over £70m, the Red Devils will be confident of winning the race.
Aubameyang’s record in recent seasons has seen him establish himself as one of the best striker’s across European football and whilst Dortmund would prefer not to sell the Gabonese international, they will cash-in if they receive a lucrative offer.
Odion Ighalo
Another forward Manchester United want to beat Arsenal in the race for is Watford’s Odion Ighalo, who has shown plenty of promise from his inaugural Premier League season with the Hornets. Bizarrely though, his signature may be harder to secure than Aubameyang’s.
If United offer the right price for Aubameyang, they should get their man without too many difficulties. However, Ighalo’s price-tag will be significantly lower and, therefore, will be easier for rival clubs to match- and Arsenal would be a likely choice for the striker, who wouldn’t have to relocate.
Toni Kroos
Real Madrid’s planned summer overhaul could lead to the exit of the World Cup winning midfielder and with the German international having already excelled with Germany and Bayern Munich, the Premier League is a likely destination.
Manchester United want the player’s signature and would be happy to match the £40m price-tag to do so, which in the modern game seems to be a bargain for such a player. However, Kroos’ signature will attract vast interest and United will have competition for his services.
Harry Kane
Manchester United’s desire to boast the very best of English talent has seen them linked to Harry Kane ever since his first emergence two years ago. Tottenham, flying high in the league, won’t sell easily but United could splash the cash.
It wouldn’t be surprising for Kane’s signature to require a record-breaking fee and despite Spurs’ excellent form this season, they still lack the financial strength of their Premier League rivals- and Manchester United, the richest of the lot, could take advantage.
Sergio Ramos
A long-term target for Manchester United, speculation rose last week that the Spaniard had handed in a transfer request in the Spanish capital following Real Madrid’s derby defeat to Atletico. With wholesale changes expected this summer, the defender may well be offloaded.
Ramos is still one of the best defenders in world football and he has plenty of years left ahead of him. Whilst his signature would prove to be expensive to secure, there’s no denying that the established Spanish international would go a long way to fixing United’s leaky defence.
