Following the arrivals of Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Swansea and Crystal Palace respectively, there was an ominous silence on the transfer front at Old Trafford. Weeks of speculation linking Manchester United with moves for Jadon Sancho and Declan Rice, to name two, led to nothing more than frustration among supporters as they craved new arrivals to freshen a stagnating squad.
Serious moves for Sean Longstaff did little to quell discontent as another summer threatened to pass without the marquee arrivals fans demanded. However, in recent days, the rumour mill has kicked into overdrive with United believed to be on the cusp of three big money arrivals ahead of next week’s 5pm deadline.
Ed Woodward has come under staunch criticism in the past, yet he seems set to pull a rabbit out of a hat as United look to make serious shockwaves in the window, and not a moment too soon as far as some are concerned.
Dybala on the cusp of Old Trafford switch?
A major casualty of Cristiano Ronaldo’s headline grabbing switch to Juventus was Argentine Paulo Dybala. The 25-year-old netted 22 and assisted five in the 2017/18 season, yet Ronaldo’s arrival saw Max Allegri move from a 4-2-3-1 formation to a 4-3-3 to accommodate the Portuguese forward and Dybala’s form nosedived as a result.
Indeed, the Argentina international scored just five times in Serie A last season, one of which was from the penalty spot. While a new manager may present Dybala with an opportunity to rediscover his best form in Italy, Maurizio Sarri’s preference for a 4-3-3 means little is likely to change for the former Palermo star in Turin.
Tottenham were thought to be pondering a club-record £80m move for him, but they have since fallen behind United in the pecking order, which has delighted fans. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have now emerged as the 1/3 favourites to be Dybala’s next club on the Sportsbook and while the Norwegian may too favour a 4-3-3 system, the player himself last year took to Instagram to praise Old Trafford, so a move to the Theatre of Dreams may soon become reality.
The transfer, though, is dependent on Romelu Lukaku going to the other way. The Belgian is, of course, expected to leave United this summer on the back of a tough second season in Manchester, in which scored in just nine of his 32 league outings. Inter had been the touted destination for Lukaku, particularly as Antonio Conte had been eager to secure the striker’s services.
The Italian has held a long-standing interest in Lukaku and tried to re-sign him for Chelsea in 2017, only to miss out to United in the race to sign the Belgium international. For the second time in three years, Conte looks set to miss out on Lukaku. Inter have since drifted out to 2/1 to be his next club on the Sportsbook having previously been favourites to sign the 26-year-old.
Disappointingly for Conte and Inter fans, fierce rivals Juventus are set to pip their Serie A counterparts to Lukaku and the Old lady are now the 1/3 favourites to sign the powerhouse frontman. It’ll be a underwhelming end to life in England for Lukaku, who has netted 113 times since his Premier League debut in August 2011, a return only Sergio Aguero (162) and Harry Kane (125) can better, but a fresh start in a new league may be just the tonic the striker needs to get back to his barnstorming best.
United fans may be happy to see the back of Lukaku, particularly if it means Dybala moves the other way, a deal the Premier League side would undoubtedly come out better in. While the Dybala links have come about relatively recently, a long-standing target may also be, at long last, on the cusp of a move to England.
In-demand midfielder closing in on United move
Bruno Fernandes has been heavily linked with a Premier League switch for some time now and it appears as though a transfer is close to completion. The in-demand midfielder is believed to have said his goodbyes following Sporting’s 2-1 loss to Valencia as the teary eyed Portugal international was withdrawn from action with a transfer to United supposedly on the cusp of coming to fruition.
A host of England’s top sides have courted Fernandes and it’s United who have won the race to secure the services of a player who had a direct hand in more goals (33) than any other player in Liga NOS last season. United are now at 2/9 to be Fernandes’ next club on the Sportsbook with a deal looking set to be announced sooner rather than later.
Centre-back now a priority following Bailly injury
It’s not only in the final third where United are close to wrapping up deals either. Eric Bailly’s injury in their pre-season 2-1 win over Tottenham has accelerated the club’s push for a centre-back, with the injury prone Ivorian ruled out for the next five months after undergoing knee surgery, which is a blow to the club and the defender as he aims to rediscover his best form.
Harry Maguire remains United’s top centre-back target, even if Leicester are demanding £80m for the England international. The Foxes are in no position to sell, while Maguire may even be better suited remaining at the King Power Stadium in the long run, with Leicester looking well equipped to push for a top six finish.
Leicester are unwilling to budge on their £80m price tag for the 26-year-old, even if United are aiming to negotiate that fee down. It means United are still the 4/7 favourites to sign Maguire as they seek a new centre-back to improve their defensive fortunes. Maguire isn’t the only centre-back the club are reportedly seeking, with Samuel Umtiti once again linked with a Premier League switch.
The Frenchman was previously a target for Arsenal, though a move away from Barcelona seemed unlikely. Nevertheless, in their push for investment, United may yet test Barcelona’s resolve for Umtiti, whose pass success rate (94.5%) was better than any other player to make five or more La Liga appearances last season.
United are the 2/1 favourites to be Umtiti’s next club and he’d be a fine capture if they can convince Barcelona to sell. However, the Blaugrana, like Leicester, aren’t in a position to sell and given Bailly’s injury, Barcelona may up the price if United do make pursue their interest in the 25-year-old.
Source: Betfair Premier League
