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Hello and welcome back to the Manchester United Transfer News round-up for 5th June 2019. We are back with the top transfer stories of the day involving Manchester United and here are our top five picks for today.
Also Read: Manchester United Transfer News: June 4, 2019
#5 United identify Lukaku replacement
We start today's segment with more news surrounding Romelu Lukaku's departure from Manchester United. We had earlier revealed that Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain were interested in the Belgian, who is no longer in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's plans for next season. United were in search for an able replacement for their No. 9, and if reports are to be believed, the Red Devils have found their man.
According to ESPN, Manchester United have identified Sebastien Haller, the Eintracht Frankfurt striker, as the man to replace Lukaku. However, the Red Devils will bid for the Frenchman only if Lukaku leaves United this summer. His former team-mate Luka Jovic might have taken all the accolades last season and earned himself a move to Real Madrid, but Haller has been good too.
The Frenchman enjoyed a decent season with Frankfurt, scoring 20 goals and registering 12 assists in 41 appearances in all competitions. United had even sent scouts to watch the 24-year-old in action in the Europa League, where his team reached the semi-finals. However, no formal bid has been placed for the player as of now.
Solskjaer is currently looking at a frantic summer ahead where he hopes to add at least one central defender, a right-back and a central midfielder to the squad. While a striker is not a priority, United were short of goals last season. All of their current forwards failed to impress and as such, a striker might very well be what United need next season.
With Alexis Sanchez also linked with an exit, United will have funds available to pursue their targets. However, it remains to be seen if Solskjaer will plunge into the transfer market or if he trusts Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and the exciting Mason Greenwood to lead the line next season, in Lukaku's absence.
#4 Juventus preparing player plus cash deal for Pogba
Talk about competition! Just days ago we reported in this segment that Real Madrid were willing to offer three players in a swap deal for Paul Pogba. The Guardian now reports that Juventus are also preparing a player plus cash deal for the Frenchman!
The Serie A champions were actually looking to add Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to their team this summer. They had even submitted a bid of €60 million for the Serbian, but their interest cooled down when Lazio set an asking price of €90 million on their player. As such, Juventus had turned their attention elsewhere and their sights had inevitably fallen on their former star. We had reported in this segment yesterday that Juventus were keen on bringing Pogba back to Turin, but his hefty price tag is a problem.
The Old Lady heavily invested in Cristiano Ronaldo last summer, which means another big money move this summer is highly unlikely. Reports are now surfacing that Juventus are willing to add either of Paulo Dybala, Alex Sandro or Douglas Costa in a player plus cash deal for Pogba. All they are waiting for, right now, is the green signal from United.
#3 United very close to securing Daniel James
The Evening Standard reports that United are very close to securing the services of Swansea winger Daniel James. The Premier League side had been locked in negotiations with the Swans for quite some time now after the player agreed terms with the club. However, recent updates have made United speed up their pursuit and try to secure the Welshman's signature as early as possible. This is because Ligue 1 side AS Monaco had developed an interest in the winger, who has just one year left in his contract with Swansea.
The main reasons for the delay in negotiations is because the two clubs have not been able to agree on a price for the youngster. While United value him at £10 million, Swansea are holding out for £20 million. However, Monaco's interest has apparently forced United to review their stance and as such, an agreement is expected to be just around the corner.
James has mostly appeared on the left wing last season, but he is equally capable of playing across the front three. Even though the pressing requirement is for a right winger, Solskjaer believes that James has all the ingredients to succeed at Old Trafford.
#2 Solskjaer will be given £200 million transfer kitty to spend this summer
After a disappointing season where United finished sixth in the Premier League table and were knocked out of the FA Cup, League Cup and Champions League in disappointing fashion, it is time for a big summer at Old Trafford. There has been reports of Lukaku leaving and Pogba also mulling over a move to Real Madrid. Ander Herrera and Antonio Valencia are long gone and Alexis Sanchez could well be on his way out too.
Solskjaer has long reiterated his desire to build his team around youngsters and shape them into superstars of tomorrow. But it is also clear that United are in urgent need of some damage control, and this is why this bit of news will come as a respite for United fans. The Daily Express reports that Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has handed his Norwegian manager a transfer kitty of £200 million!
Any money recuperated from the sale of existing players would also be added to the kitty, so that amount could grow to at least £300 million. That could be enough to land United one world class defender, one right-back, one midfielder and a right winger as well! Excited, United fans?
#1 United prepare £84 million bid for Kalidou Koulibaly
And now, for today's biggest news of the day!
According to Corriere dello Sport, Manchester United have prepared a £84 million bid for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, who has been United's number one target this summer. Previous reports had highlighted that the Red Devils had been discouraged by Napoli's huge asking price of their Senegalese defender, and that the Premier League giants had turned their attention to other alternatives. However, it now seems that United are ready to test Napoli's resolve with a huge opening bid.
Solskjaer had long identified Koulibaly as the man to solve his defensive troubles and remains interested in signing the defender, despite the current circumstances. However, it is highly unlikely that Napoli will budge from their £150 million valuation of their star defender. Napoli coach Carlo Ancelloti himself has no intentions of selling Koulibaly, and has previously stated that the defender would play for Napoli next season.
So the burning question right now is can United churn up the impossible this summer? Because adding Koulibaly to this team suddenly makes everything look better! We have to watch out for this one in the coming days!
