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It is no secret that Manchester United has a busy summer transfer window. They are going to have to almost completely overhaul their entire squad. Some of the stalwarts that have been part of the first team for a number of seasons like Antonio Valencia have already said their goodbyes.
The exit door is still open and more are likely to be headed out of the theatre of dreams especially after having such a dismal season. In all truth, the team has really been poor of late and their numbers don’t lie, in their last 14 games, they have only managed to pick up 2 wins.
That’s really shocking for a team that is usually expected to be contesting for the league come every season.
The central midfield is one area that will need enhancements if this team is to compete with some of the best teams in the league next season. The mercurial signings that the team may want to boost their midfield will be tough to get since they will want Champions League football and that’s something United can’t offer them.
But United have proved in the past that they can pull the best in the world even without Champions League football when they priced Pogba away from Juventus sometime back. Now, they have to repeat that feat if they are to capture some of the top central midfielders that they may want in their team.
#5 Thiago Alcantara
The first name on the list is one player that United passed on sometime back when he left Barcelona because the then manager Moyes thought he was too small for the Premier League. Right about now, they can do with the kind of magic that Alcantara is constantly producing for Bayern. In the current United squad, they don’t have a genuine world class midfielder that can strike fear into the opponent’s spines even before any ball is kicked.
Pricing the Spanish midfielder from Bayern is something that looks impossible to do but with the right fee they may just be tempted to sell. Manchester United though will have some competition from his former club Barcelona were they to have any bid accepted by Bayern.
With Herrera going to PSG, Alcantara will bring in just exactly what Herrera brought to United with far superior technical abilities.
#4 Marco Verratti
Manchester United have been linked over the years with a number of holding midfielders, but the only one can be considered in the world-class category. Come in Marco Verratti, a young talented and experienced midfielder. You can get just about any holding midfielder in the market today, but if you want to truly control games you want a world class one.
Marco Verratti already showed United what they can have when the two teams met in the Champions League this season. He absolutely destroyed United’s lightweight midfield in both legs, and even though PSG, in the end, lost out to United, he left the field with his head held high.
Pricing the talented Italian from PSG will require a substantial amount in the excess of 100 million. For Verratti as it was with Alcantara, Manchester United will face stiff competition, and this time not only from Barcelona but also from Real Madrid among other top teams in Europe.
#3 Dele Alli
The only English man in this list is none other than Tottenham’s Dele Alli. A rare breed in the English game and lucky for Spurs they have him their ranks. Now, United are restructuring their team this summer, the likes of Tottenham are braced for bids from United on some of their top talents, especially the talented English contingent they have in their roster.
Dele Alli will certainly bring in creativity, flair, and even goals to the United midfield. If the team does sell Paul Pogba, the ideal player to sign for United should definitely be Alli. He’ll not fully replace Pogba, but he can certainly offset the loss.
The problem, however, is that Tottenham has been known for years to drive a hard bargain. That’s one struggle Manchester United don’t want to be in entangled in the entire transfer window. But if United can bring him on, he will upgrade their squad immensely.
#2 Saul Niguez
There have been whispers that Manchester United is considering a bid for Spanish midfield maestro Saul Niguez. If they can indeed make the bid and manage to prise him away from Atletico Madrid, they will have in their ranks one of the best midfielders in the world today.
The Spanish midfielder is one of the most technically gifted midfielders in the world today and it’s no secret that some of the best team in the world would like him in their rosters. If Manchester United can get him, they will get someone who is like for like replacement to Ander Herrera but with a lot more to offer. He will certainly reduce the dependency on Paul Pogba.
The figure that has been floating around for the Spanish player is in the excess of 80 million. With that price tag, some teams may scare off but not a team that has the financial muscle like United.
#1 Koke
Another Atletico midfielder that Manchester United should have a close look at is Koke. One of the most understated players in the Atletico squad and his importance only comes to the fore when he’s not playing. His more vibrant teammate Niguez has been receiving all the accolades but the man behind Atletico’s good run has always been Koke.
He fits perfectly in Atletico’s midfield and has been played in a number of positions in midfield and has prospered in all. His all-action style of play coupled with good technical ability and awareness is what United desperately need to boost their midfield.
Koke is a man that will be willing to put in the work, which is something that United may really appreciate. Couple that with his versatility and United, if they get him, have a complete midfield general in the Paul Scholes mould. Getting Atletico to sell will be the main issue here with the team wanting to keep their best players so as to compete with the likes of Barca and Madrid.
