'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
After turning their fortunes around dramatically following an abysmal first half to the 2019/20 Premier League campaign and finishing in third place, Manchester United's summer transfer window has been a disappointing one so far.
Qualifying for this year's UEFA Champions League was of the highest priority to substantially strengthen their side in the summer. Despite having done so, the Red Devils have not seen any noteworthy additions barring that of Ajax's Donny van de Beek.
While the Dutchman has proven to be an exciting acquisition within the limited minutes on offer, the harsh truth is that it is not a signing that directly improves their first XI.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side requires players who can provide a cutting edge to the preferred starting XI. And the Red Devils need a fair few of these ahead of the transfer deadline.
Players such as Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw, and others need to be upgraded upon should Manchester United aspire to go anywhere near a title chase, let alone actually compete for the crown.
Despite their underwhelming transfer business so far, reports have suggested that Manchester United could still be prepared for a few noteworthy incomings before October 5th. Here, we take a look at five players Solskjaer's men could still potentially sign this summer.
#5 Luka Jovic | Real Madrid
One of the more recent players to have emerged as a Manchester United transfer target, Luka Jovic could reportedly be on the move this summer. The striker has looked a shadow of his former prolific self since his move to Real Madrid last summer for a reported fee of €60m.
During his time at Eintracht Frankfurt, Jovic was tipped for greatness after a string of fantastic performances for the Germans, helping them to a UEFA Europa League semi-final. However, he has failed to leave a good impression of himself at the Santiago Bernabeu. In just under 30 games for Los Blancos, Jovic managed only two goals and as many assists and has failed to score in a single start he received at the club.
Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio reported that Manchester United have initiated contact with Jovic's entourage over a potential loan deal with an option to purchase him later. With the Red Devils in need of attacking reinforcements and the 23-year-old in need of a fresh start, a move to Old Trafford could benefit all parties.
#4 Edinson Cavani | Free Agent
Perhaps the most experienced and high-profile name on this list, Edinson Cavani emerged as the other centre-forward being considered by Manchester United in the last week of the transfer window. The Uruguayan has been one of the most experienced and prolific strikers in Europe over the last decade.
Cavani was formerly of Paris Saint-Germain until his contract expired in the summer of 2020. He was not part of Les Parisiens' dream run to the UEFA Champions League final as he rejected their contract extension offer(s). The Uruguayan legend left Parc des Princes as the club's highest-ever scorer, racking up a staggering 200 goals in just 301 games for PSG. The former Napoli man has been linked with moves to Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, and SL Benfica in the last few months but hasn't been able to find a new club as of yet.
Should Manchester United find an agreement with Cavani, he could prove to be an excellent short-term option for Solskjaer. El Matador's abundance of experience will be invaluable to United's young attack, and he could make the difference for them on the pitch.
#3 Ousmane Dembele | Barcelona
Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele has been strongly linked with a shock move to Manchester United over the last two weeks. The French star is viewed as a natural alternative to the Red Devils' priority target Jadon Sancho. However, the futures of both players in question are likely to remain up in the air until October 5th.
Dembele was regarded as one of the most talented players in the world when he signed for the Blaugrana in 2017 for a club-record fee of £117m. The 23-year-old has, unfortunately, suffered an injury-plagued spell at the Nou Camp since then. Since the 2017/18 campaign, the winger has managed just 35 LaLiga Santander starts for the former champions. His recurring injuries have seen him miss an astonishing 80 games. When fully fit, though, the wide forward is a force to be reckoned with and is a devastatingly talented player on the flanks.
United are considering the former Borussia Dortmund star only on a loan deal should they fail to sign his former teammate Sancho. Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed that talks between the Red Devils and Dembele's entourage are active and he could potentially move to Old Trafford this summer.
#2 Alex Telles | FC Porto
Reports suggesting that Manchester United could make a move for Alex Telles have gathered a lot of momentum in recent weeks. A left-back by trade, Telles is into the last year of his contract with Portuguese champions FC Porto.
The Brazilian has grown into one of the premiere attack-minded full-backs in Europe during his time in Portugal and is undisputedly the best in his position in Liga NOS. His attacking output and prowess at set-piece deliveries have garnered a lot of praise in recent times. The 27-year-old is Porto's first-choice penalty taker and ended the 2019/20 league campaign with 11 goals and nine assists, the highest by any defender in the league.
While widespread reports have claimed that Telles would be available for a fee of €18-20m, it appears that United believe he can be purchased for much lesser given that he's out of contract come summer. It remains to be seen if they can come to an agreement with Porto, but Telles looks precisely like the profile of player that could help bolster Manchester United's defence. He could provide competition and, in some aspects, an upgrade over Luke Shaw who has been criticised for his lack of attacking output.
#1 Jadon Sancho | Borussia Dortmund
By this point, be it for a Manchester United supporter or a neutral, Jadon Sancho needs very little introduction. The Englishman is regarded as one of the finest players the Bundesliga has witnessed in recent years. He enjoyed a record-breaking campaign with Borussia Dortmund in 2019/20, during which he scored a staggering 17 goals and set up a further 16, in just 25 league starts.
Sancho has been earmarked as Manchester United and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's priority target for well over a year now as they attempted to sign him last summer as well. However, Dortmund refused to part ways with him, and it could be a similar story this year as well. Reports claimed that Dortmund set a deadline of August 10th for Manchester United to conduct any deal for Sancho, giving them time to look for a suitable replacement should the 20-year-old depart.
With four days left for the window to close, Manchester United's chances of signing the Dortmund superstar look extremely thin, and are expected to miss out on the winger by many for the second consecutive year. With the Red Devils also considering alternatives, it appears that the club are prepared for this event as well.
However, with several reputed outlets claiming that United's pursuit for Sancho is still alive, the Red Devils' faithful are in for a suspenseful few days.
