A pair of updates surrounding Manchester United’s plans for the summer transfer window have been forthcoming online this weekend.
Reds on the up
United’s campaign, to date, has of course proven something of a mixed bag.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men currently sit in a solid 2nd place in the Premier League table, having only seen their title challenge slip away due to the stunning form of rivals Manchester City.
The Red Devils are also eyeing Europa League glory – having made impressively short work of Real Sociedad, before seeing off AC Milan – and remain in with a solid shot of clinching the FA Cup.
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 18: Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United celebrates a goal with teammates during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32, first leg match between Real Sociedad and Manchester United at Allianz Stadium on February 18, 2021 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Chris Ricco/Getty Images)
With such highs, however, have come some equally considerable lows.
The most obvious comes in the form of United’s Champions League group stage exit, on the back of 3 losses across their final 4 outings on Europe’s biggest stage.
The Manchester powerhouse have also been condemned to a number of concerning defeats on the domestic front, including at the hands of Premier League basement dwellers Sheffield United, and Tottenham, back in October (6-1).
Milenkovic amongst targets
As such, whilst progress, overall, has been made at Old Trafford in 2020/21, it is evident that Solskjaer’s men, as things stand, remain some way from the finished product.
If the Reds truly hope to kick on towards a concerted title push next time around, reinforcements will therefore be required this summer.
And, this weekend, an insight into some of the key targets being eyed has been forthcoming.
The first comes in the form of a potential addition in midfield, and surrounds Atletico Madrid’s Saul Niguez. The information, meanwhile, stems from the Spanish media, as relayed by Sport Witness.
MADRID, SPAIN – DECEMBER 11: Saul Niguez of Atletico de Madrid in action during the UEFA Champions League group D match between Atletico Madrid and Lokomotiv Moskva at Wanda Metropolitano on December 11, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Xaume Olleros/Getty Images)
As per El Larguero, citing sources close to the player himself, Saul has his heart set on a move away from the Wanda Metropolitano this summer.
This comes with the long-time Atleti star currently enduring one of the toughest stretches of his career to date, and having been deeply cut by his recent omission from the latest Spanish national squad.
In turn, La Razón name Manchester United as ‘the only club’ to have expressed a genuine interest in landing Saul, with the Red Devils keen on reinforcements in the middle of the park.
It is also suggested that the Premier League giants would be willing to part with a sum between €35m and €50m, to land the 26-year-old.
Saúl Ñíguez | Manchester United said to be willing to pay €35-50m for signing – Only club in picture, as midfielder suffers career hiccup. https://t.co/qn6eYFAWvw #mufc
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) March 19, 2021
Next on the wishlist of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, according to reports, is a new defender.
And, as per the reliable Jonathan Shrager, one such stopper seemingly being eyed is Fiorentina standout Nikola Milenkovic.
It is claimed that the Red Devils are in regular contact with Milenkovic’s representatives, amid ‘a relationship which could facilitate negotiations’.
In turn, if Ed Woodward and co. come to the definitive decision that a swoop for the Serbian international is the right one to shore up the club’s backline, negotiations with Fiorentina will be opened over the coming weeks.
I am told that, whilst they have not recently spoken about Milenković, Nikola’s representatives and #MUFC officials are in regular contact, a relationship which could facilitate negotiations. It is anticipated that talks would open in the coming weeks if United want to pursue him
— Jonathan Shrager (@JonathanShrager) March 20, 2021
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