Manchester United will be looking to blow the other Premier League clubs away in this summer transfer window and gain the services of some of the world’s best players. A number nine will be on the top of their wish list, having decided not to keep Zlatan Ibrahimovic beyond his one-year contract.
The Red Devils have good money to spend and also have numerous transfer targets in other positions other than a centre-forward for the transfer window. Despite winning two trophies last season, in their first season under Jose Mourinho, their league campaign was hugely disappointing.
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This summer, with a few arrivals, the club will want to challenge for the Premier League once again next season.
Here we rank Manchester United’s transfer targets:
#5 Ivan Perisic – Inter Milan
Ivan Perisic seems to be a player who would suit Jose Mourinho’s style of play very well due to his hard working and natural abilities. The 28-year-old Croatian operates on the left-wing for Inter Milan currently and would fit in perfectly in Manchester with Mourinho finding it hard to play somebody there from his current squad.
Perisic scored 11 goals and mustered eight assists for his team-mates last season, which was a respectable amount for an Inter side that struggled for a major part of the season. He is clearly an extremely talented player and it seems Mourinho has noticed that, deciding to sign a player based on his work rate rather than just ability.
Also read: 5 players Manchester United need to sign this summer
However, because Perisic is not particularly a fan-favourite and despite possessing a lot of flair, he is ranked fifth on the list when it comes to Manchester United’s transfer targets this summer.
#4 Fabinho – AS Monaco
Fabinho looked like he was on his way to the blue half of Manchester at the beginning of the summer, but it now looks like both sides in Manchester are going to battle it out for the Brazilian.
He is 23 years old and has years ahead of him to mature, but already plays with an enormous amount of maturity. If United were to capture the Brazilian, it would be a better signing than if they were to sign Tiemoue Bakayoko. This is because despite Bakayoko gaining a lot of plaudits for some performances in the Champions League, he was often bypassed by better central midfielders, for example against Juventus.
Fabinho has shown versatility at right-back as well as centre-midfield and has shown he is more capable than Bakayoko in midfield, especially with his passing ability.
Last season, the Brazilian contributed to 16 goals in all competitions with 10 goals and six assists, an impressive tally considering the positions that he played in. Fabinho comes fourth on the list ranking United’s transfer targets due to the two world class players who are above him.
#3 Alvaro Morata – Real Madrid
The Red Devils recently released last season’s top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic due to injury and are now on the lookout for a new striker for the upcoming season. Marcus Rashford has filled in excellently, but looking for more immediate results, Mourinho would prefer a higher profile player to lead the front line.
Mourinho’s choice, it seems, is Alvaro Morata. The Spaniard has struggled for game time since moving back to Madrid and therefore wants a move away from the Bernabeu. Manchester United have a strong interest and have bid at least £60 million for the striker, but Madrid want a higher fee for the talented striker.
Due to the striker contributing to 20 goals in 26 games in La Liga, with a lot of appearances from the bench, Morata may well be worth more. Given the fact United seemingly have sizeable transfer kitty, more money shouldn’t be a problem.
Morata ranks in third on United’s transfer targets but everyone will have to wait and see whether he will be worth the hefty price tag.
#2 James Rodriguez – Real Madrid
The talented Colombian has had a tough time since his arrival at the Bernabeu and is way down the pecking order at Real Madrid, seemingly behind even Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez.
Rodriguez would be a fantastic addition to United’s first team and would bring the creativity they lacked in abundance last season. The Red Devils struggled to score goals and lacked a central attacking midfielder to create chances, a void Rodriguez can fill.
In less minutes than all of United’s creative midfielders, Rodriguez created 44 chances, the same as Juan Mata, and more than Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Marouane Fellaini and Wayne Rooney.
Rodriguez would thrive in the Manchester United squad if he is given a regular run of games and it all just depends on whether the 25-year-old is willing to make the switch to Manchester or move elsewhere.
The 2014 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot winner ranks in second because he fits the bill as precisely the player that United need along with a striker, due to the incompetence of their current attacking midfielders.
#1 Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale is a player who Manchester United have been interested in for several years, and it is no surprise with the amount of talent the 27-year-old possesses. Almost every transfer window, Bale is linked with Manchester United, but a deal never seems to materialise.
However, the Welshman this year has struggled with injuries and despite being fit, was on the bench in the Champions League final. He seems content in Spain, but a move back to England could be tempting for somebody who may struggle with the culture and language in Spain. In addition to this, Bale’s huge price tag will not put United off. Madrid are strongly interested in David De Gea, which could mean a player plus cash deal could be put on the table by the Red Devils.
Bale ranks number one on this list due to his sheer talent and the fact that he would transform United into title contenders with his ability alone. If there was a choice between Perisic and Bale, it’s obvious who United fans would prefer, it’s mainly down to whether the Welshman would like to make the move back to England.
