Sporting Life's look at the latest transfer speculation surrounding Manchester United
Sporting Life's look at the latest transfer speculation surrounding Manchester United

Manchester United transfer news: Potential summer arrivals under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer


Optimism has returned to Manchester United after an upturn in results since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's arrival at Old Trafford.

With United having appointed the Norwegian as manager on a permanent basis, we take a look at some possible signings that could arrive in the summer, using odds from Sky Bet's market for summer transfers...

Gareth Bale (2/1 with Sky Bet)

Gareth Bale during the El Clasico

The Welshman's future at Real Madrid was cast into doubt when Zinedine Zidane returned as manager earlier this month.

The two endured a tumultuous relationship in Zidane's previous spell at the Bernabeu and the Frenchman could get rid as part of a squad overhaul this summer.

Bale, who scored in Zidane's first game back before the international break, has regularly been linked with a move to Old Trafford - one of the few clubs who could afford his wage demands.

He has scored 14 goals and assisted five in 35 appearances for his club this term and could be tempted by a Premier League return with the chance to spearhead a title charge under Solskjaer.

It would arguably be a big risk by the Red Devils for a player turning 30 in the summer, who has proven quite injury prone over the years.

Jadon Sancho (3/1)

Jadon Sancho has been a star for Dortmund

The former Manchester City man has shot to stardom in the last 18 months, breaking into the Borussia Dortmund starting XI before making his England debut and attracting the headlines.

He left Manchester for Germany in 2017, but could he be set to return to the north with rivals United?

Sancho has the highest number of assists in Europe's top five leagues and added to his growing reputation this month with impressive displays for England against Czech Republic and Montenegro.

Recent media reports have suggested the youngster, who turned 19 on Monday, is a £100m summer transfer target for Manchester United, with French champions Paris Saint-Germain also rumoured to be interested in the England forward.

It would be interesting to see whether Sancho jumps at the opportunity or chooses to stay put and get the game time as one of Dortmund's main men. Raheem Sterling recently said how he has been giving Sancho advise about decisions in his early career and the City winger's words could be crucial in helping Sancho decide.

Raphael Varane (7/1)

Raphael Varane: Linked with Man United, but will Zinedine Zidane persuade him to stay put?

The World Cup winner has regularly been linked with a move to Old Trafford over the years.

The club are in the market for a world-class central defender and Varane fits the bill. The Frenchman, whose contract has a mega £428m release clause, could cost in excess of £100m and he recently denied rumours that he is unhappy in the Spanish capital.

“To say that I am not happy at Real Madrid is not true,” said Varane.

“I’m at Real Madrid. The biggest club in the world. I’m constantly in a state of challenging myself because the requirement here is that of the highest level. I’m focused on my career. We had a tough time in the middle of the season where we had to fight. I’ve given my all in this shirt and I can be proud of that.

“I cannot control everything that’s said [in the media]. Many things aren’t right but I can’t say I’m unhappy in Madrid. We had a tough season, it’s the daily routine for players at the top. I’m discreet and the problem when you’re a quiet person is you hear many things but talk little about yourself.”

Juventus are also said to be interested but one important factor in potentially keeping him at the La Liga giants is the return of Zidane, with whom he has a good relationship and it may force United to look elsewhere.

Kalidou Koulibaly

Kalidou Koulibaly: Finally set to join Man United?

The Senegal international has regularly been linked with an Old Trafford switch in recent seasons and Napoli could be prepared to do all they can to prevent him leaving this summer.

The Serie A giants are apparently keen to sell Brazilian midfielder Allan to PSG for around £64m in order to keep Koulibaly.

The 6ft 1in defender would provide the towering presence that United have missed in their back line in recent years, but the Red Devils may have competition with Bayern, Barcelona and Real Madrid also said to be interested, and he could cost close to £100m.

A cheaper option at around £65m could be Leicester's Harry Maguire, a player who was denied a move to Man United last summer, and the England man could get his transfer with a commanding centre-back a priority.

Bruno Fernandes

Bruno Fernandes: Midfielder attracting Premier League interest

The attacking midfielder is said to be on Solskjaer's summer wishlist after starring for Sporting this season.

Glittering displays have produced 24 goals and 14 assists in 43 appearances, linking him with a Premier League move with both Man United and Liverpool touted as possible destinations.

Reports in Portugal last month suggested that United have made contact with the player's representatives and that Sporting would be willing to do a deal should the right offer come in.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (2/1)

Crystal Palace defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka

The Crystal Palace full-back's impressive performances this season were bound to attract the big clubs - and both Manchester outfits have been linked since the turn of the year.

The 21-year-old has burst onto the scene in recent seasons, making 31 appearances in all competitions this term and even contributing three goals.

He recently pulled out of England's U21 squad due to injury but has been talked about as another potential young talent to break into Gareth Southgate's senior team in the near future.

Wan-Bissaka extended his contract last April to keep him at Selhurst Park until 2022 and it remains to be seen how much it would take to secure his services. He is odds-on to stay at Palace this summer, but should he leave then United are favourites to sign him.

Other links

Yannick Carrasco - It looked like the Belgian winger was heading to Arsenal in January, but a move did not materialise and United have been linked with the 25-year-old, who is seeking a way out of Chinese Super League outfit Dalian Yifang after just over a year. AC Milan are also said to be interested but his wages could prove to be a stumbling block for the Serie A giants, which could be where United come in.

Callum Hudson-Odoi (9/1) - The Chelsea winger has most notably attracted interest from Bayern Munich, but Liverpool and Man United are also said to be monitoring the 18-year-old, who impressed for England in the international break. He is yet to start for the Blues in the Premier League, yet the west Londoners could command around £42.5m for his services if they cannot tie him down to a new deal.

Odds correct as of 2000 GMT on 27/03/19

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