Hello and welcome to the Manchester United Transfer News round-up for 21st June 2019. We bring you the top transfer stories of the day involving Manchester United and here are our top five picks for today.
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#5 United very close to £55m deal for Wan-Bissaka
Manchester United's performance in this transfer window has been woeful to say the least. To make matters worse, there have been a handful of players who have been continuously linked with United, without the club making any breakthrough in negotiations. One of them has been Crystal Palace right back Aaron Wan-Bissaka and now, it seems that United might actually get their hands on their second signing of the summer in the next couple of day.
According to the GQ, United are on the brink of securing the services of the Englishman. Wan-Bissaka has been the first choice for the right back position for Solskjaer among a host of shortlisted players and his qualities are unquestionable. Negotiations between the two clubs have been ongoing for quite some time now, but it looks like there has finally been a breakthrough.
A bid is currently being considered by Palace, which is rumoured to be around £47m, plus add ons which would ultimately make it £55m. The player himself is reportedly quite interested to make the move to Old Trafford and now it is only a matter of time before a deal is confirmed.
#4 Ed Woodward ready to bid for Mourinho recommended targets
Jose Mourinho might be long gone from Old Trafford, but his blue print seems to be around even now and is actually being used as a reference by none other than Ed Woodward. According to Metro, the United executive vice chairman is targeting three more players this summer and all of them have been shortlisted by Jose Mourinho.
The first player is West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, who has been monitored continuously by United, but is reluctant to leave the Hammers this summer. The second player in the list is also from West Ham - defender Issa Diop, who might actually be easier to price away and could be a great addition to the team.
The third player in the list is Leicester City defender Harry Maguire. United have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of the Englishman, as Leicester City expect a bid of around £90m to even think of selling him.
None of the three are easy to achieve, but if United do manage to get them all, it could turn their summer around.
#3 Solskjaer has his eyes set on £50m Bournemouth midfielder
Manchester United are currently short on midfielders, with Ander Herrera already gone and Pogba also with a foot out of the club. The present crop are simply not good enough and as such, it is only natural that the Red Devils will be linked to midfielders continuously. But here's a fresh rumour which will certainly delight United fans.
According to the Metro, Solskjaer has set his sights on David Brooks of Bournemouth and is eager to bring the Welshman to United. Brooks only joined Bournemouth last season, but has been pretty impressive, scoring 7 goals and picking up 5 assists. He can carry out a lot of responsibilities and is a tireless worker on the pitch, just the kind of player Solskjaer likes.
However, Bournemouth reportedly value him at £50m, so pricing him away won't be easy. But Brooks is a United fan, so his sentiments could be of immense value if United do decide to go for the player.
#2 Solskjaer has just £100m to spend this summer
That is according to ESPN, who also add that any further money will have to be derived from player sales. Manchester United have been looking at an exciting summer ahead, with Solskjaer poised with a lot of rebuilding to do.
The Norwegian has already signed Daniel James from Swansea for an estimated £15m and is expected to sign Crystal Palace right back Aaron Wan-Bissaka for around £55m. That would leave Solskjaer with just a measly £30m, with the summer's biggest priority, a center back, still pending.
This is where player sales could be a useful option. It would clear the deadwood and also generate the finances to aid in the transfer business. Romelu Lukaku is sure to leave and the club is expecting a fee of at least £80m, which Inter, the player's current suitor, is reluctant to pay.
United have also put a £150m price tag on Pogba, while few of the fringe players could also be allowed to leave. It is expected that player sales could generate at least another £100-£150m, which could be immediately handed over to Solskjaer to invest in the transfer market.
#1 Romelu Lukaku makes transfer request
We end today's segment with news of Romelu Lukaku's imminent departure from Old Trafford. The Belgian is expected to leave United this summer, after falling down the pecking order since Solskjaer's arrival. He has failed to secure a first-team place under the Norwegian's fast-paced tactics and Solskjaer does not have Lukaku in his plans for next season.
Since then, speculations have been ripe regarding the Belgian's next destination and although Inter Milan have been very keen, they have been reluctant to meet United's evaluation of Lukaku. The Red Devils reportedly want at least £80m for the player who they signed from Everton 2 years ago in a deal worth £75m. Inter have been pressing for a player plus cash deal, but United have not been holding out for a cash-only deal.
Now, things have become interesting, as per the Mirror, who report that the Belgian has demanded that his future be solved before the club's pre-season tour next month. However, Lukaku will not force a move away from the club, out of respect for Manchester United and the fans.
Lukaku is said to be keen to work under Conte, who wanted to bring him to Chelsea in 2017, but had to opt for Morata instead. The Italian's appointment at Inter Milan has played a huge part in the Belgian's decision to move to the Serie A side. In a recent interview, Lukaku himself said so:
It is good that Conte went to Inter, for me he is the best coach in the world
As for my future, I have already made a decision that I still cannot communicate publicly out of respect for Manchester United, with whom I have a contract.
Lukaku has 96 appearances for Manchester United since joining them in 2017 and has scored 42 goals during that time.