Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has assembled a list of four high-profile targets he wants to bring to Old Trafford in the upcoming transfer window.
Following another trophyless season as United’s manager, the Norwegian is desperate to put his own stamp on the squad that suffered a penalty shoot-out defeat to Villarreal in the Europa League final on Wednesday.
Solskjaer is keen to reinforce each department in the summer transfer window to boost the Red Devils’ hopes of closing the gap on Manchester City next season.
Pau Torres
Despite Victor Lindelof’s upturn in form in the second half of the 2020/21 campaign, Harry Maguire playing alongside a new defensive partner next season is a near certainty.
United’s top defensive target for the summer is Villarreal’s Pau Torres, who has been exceptional under Unai Emery’s stewardship.
Solskjaer got to watch the Spaniard first-hand as his side failed to complete a comeback at the Gdansk Stadium.
Although the 24-year-old won’t come cheap, Yellow Submarine supremo Fernando Roig has recently opened the door for the defender’s departure.
When asked whether he would sanction Torres’ move to United, Roig replied (via Daily Star): “If they arrive with the money and the player wants to move, but there must be an agreement between all three parties.”
Declan Rice
Another player on Solskjaer’s wishlist is West Ham United star Declan Rice.
With Nemanja Matic heading towards the Old Trafford exit, the 48-year-old wants another top-class defensive midfielder to partner Paul Pogba in the double-pivot in front of the backline.
One of the most highly sought-after midfielders in the Premier League could leave the London Stadium in the summer amid growing interest from United and Chelsea.
The Hammers are desperate to keep hold of their standout performer, but David Moyes needs to raise funds to finance the signings of Jesse Lingard and Tammy Abraham.
After failing to qualify for the Champions League, the Londoners will operate on a tight budget in the summer, which might facilitate Rice’s move to Old Trafford.
Solskjaer could use Lingard as a bargaining chip to land the 22-year-old, who he sees as an upgrade on the Brazilian midfielder Fred.
Jadon Sancho
An exhausting transfer saga involving Jadon Sancho’s move from Borussia Dortmund to United made the headlines last summer, but the deal never went through.
Despite failing to meet the Germans’ hefty asking price last summer, the Red Devils have not dropped their interest in the highly-rated winger and could make a fresh attempt in the coming weeks.
According to recent reports, the 21-year-old is determined to force his move to the Theatre of Dreams before the Euros get underway, with Dortmund already lowering their demands.
As Sancho is available in a cut-price deal, there is a genuine hope among the Old Trafford camp that they can arrange his arrival this time around.
Harry Kane
Despite recently extending Edinson Cavani’s contract, Solskjaer remains keen on adding a new striker to his well-stacked attacking department.
That is where the name of Tottenham Hotspur talisman Harry Kane comes into play.
The signing of one of the most lethal forwards in European football would be the icing on the cake.
Kane has already handed in a transfer request as he wants to cut short his trophyless career in London.
However, United will have to overcome two major obstacles to lure the 27-year-old to Old Trafford.
The first one is convincing Daniel Levy to sell his best player to direct rivals.
The Spurs bigwig has already made it clear he has no intention of strengthening his side’s domestic opponents.
Manchester City’s interest in making Kane their marquee summer signing is another stumbling block the Red Devils will have to contend with.
Pep Guardiola is hell-bent on signing Kane to elevate an already glittering squad and is ready to shatter the British transfer record to make it happen.
However, if United somehow manage to outmanoeuvre the Cityzens and snap up Kane, Solskjaer would have a team able to cope with virtually any team in Europe.
Here is how United could line up if the Norwegian sign all of his targets in the summer.
Read: Liverpool are not interested in Man Utd target Jadon Sancho.
