Man United have decided to bring in “at least” one midfielder this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano, and the signing will not be contingent on what happens with Marcel Sabitzer, who is now on loan.
The priority for the Red Devils this summer is reportedly to sign a top-tier striker. Erik ten Hag recently expressed reservations about the ‘limitations’ of his strikeforce, according to The Manchester Evening News.
With a career-high 29 goals this season, Marcus Rashford has been outstanding. Bruno Fernandes is the only other United player to reach double digits, though.
Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial, and Antony were all mentioned as potential issues for Ten Hag. The trio have scored just 22 goals between them this season despite spending a combined £216.4 million.
However, rumours have persisted in the air. Once their business with strikers is over, Man Utd will want to bring in a new central midfielder.
Given that Fred, Christian Eriksen, and Casemiro are all over 30, such a move does seem reasonable. Additionally, TEAMtalk has unique knowledge that this summer, Man Utd will consider offers for Fred.
The permanent acquisition of Marcel Sabitzer from Bayern Munich is one possibility. The Austrian has done well during his six-month loan assignment and won’t be part of Thomas Tuchel’s future plans in Bavaria.
German news reports have described the relatively low price Sabitzer can be purchased for.
Just £16m, according to BILD, could be enough to make a deal happen. Sport1 claims that a “suitable offer” worth between £13.2 and £17.6 million (€15 and €20 million) will be sufficient.
Regardless of the Sabitzer verdict, United are still looking for a new midfielder, claims transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
Romano announced on Twitter that “Manchester United have decided to sign at least one new midfielder in the summer, regardless of what’s [going to] happen with Marcel Sabitzer.”
A center-forward acquisition is still the “priority,” the journalist continued, but the addition of a midfielder other than Sabitzer has been upgraded to “critical” status.
Romano did not specify who the Red Devils will go for, but many other publications are confident they know.
What midfielder could Manchester United acquire?
According to The MEN, Jude Bellingham and Frenkie de Jong are still very important to United. De Jong still doesn’t want to leave Barcelona, while Bellingham appears headed for Real Madrid.
Moves for players like Declan Rice, Alexis Mac Allister, Manu Kone, Adrien Rabiot, Mateo Kovacic, and Ruben Neves have all been suggested by one media or another.
According to the Daily Mail, the West Ham captain Rice would demand the same kind of sum Bellingham and De Jong would, but the Hammers’ interest in Scott McTominay might result in a big discount.
Liverpool are now the favourites to sign Mac Allister from Brighton, and if Ilkay Gundogan leaves for free agency, Man City will be fierce Kovacic rivals.
Rabiot is possibly the most fascinating of the group because United targeted him aggressively last summer. Adrien was close to signing with Old Trafford; only his mother’s exorbitant wage demands stood in his way. In addition to being her son’s agent, Veronique Rabiot.
However, according to the most recent Italian reports, United and the Rabiot family have established a “new direct contact.”
This summer, Adrien will also become a free agent, allowing United to invest more money on his personal circumstances as no transfer fee is necessary.