Manchester United's Portuguese head coach Ruben Amorim (L) shakes hands with Manchester United's Cameroonian goalkeeper #24 Andre Onana (R) at the end of the English Premier League football match between Ipswich Town and Manchester United at Portman Road in Ipswich, eastern England on November 24, 2024.placeholder image
Manchester United's Portuguese head coach Ruben Amorim (L) shakes hands with Manchester United's Cameroonian goalkeeper #24 Andre Onana (R) at the end of the English Premier League football match between Ipswich Town and Manchester United at Portman Road in Ipswich, eastern England on November 24, 2024. | AFP via Getty Images
Manchester United are on the hunt for attacking reinforcements this summer
Manchester United will not be playing European football next season, after a dismal 2024/25 campaign which has left the Red Devils with a limited transfer budget this summer.
Their bottom-half fate in the Premier League was effectively sealed with months of the season left to play, meaning Ruben Amorim turned his sights firmly towards the Europa League as their final chance of salvation. But that would only lead to more disappointment, as United lost 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur in the final and missed out on a place in the Champions League.
The Red Devils began the summer transfer window strongly despite this, bringing in Wolverhampton Wanderers talisman Matheus Cunha in a £62.5m deal. Rumours have also strongly linked Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo with the club, and it is believed he prefers a move to Old Trafford over the chance to be reunited with former manager Thomas Frank at Spurs.
But United missed out on Liam Delap, who joined Chelsea, and it is believed that Amorim’s side will need to offload players in order to fund further incomings.
The Red Devils will hope to offload several out-of-favour stars this summer, knowing that more new signings are needed so that the squad can adapt better to Amorim’s demanding system.
Napoli want Jadon Sancho and Rasmus Hojlund
Two players who Man United may hope to move on this summer are Jadon Sancho and Rasmus Hojlund, and it is reported that Italian champions Napoli are interested in both players in the hope of giving them a fresh start in Serie A.
All too aware of the great impact Serie A Player of the Season Scott McTominay had in Naples after his transfer from United last summer, Antonio Conte’s side have joined the race for Hojlund, per reports in Italy, alongside Inter Milan, while it has been reported by Sky Italy that Napoli is the preferred destination of Sancho over Juventus.
Both moves make sense. Hojlund has experience playing in Serie A with Atalanta and may feel that the familiarity may help him revitalise his young career, while Napoli are on the search for a left-winger following the departure of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in January and Sancho could fill that void. Both Hojlund and Sancho will likely see Napoli as an attractive project, with a strong contingent of ex-Premier League stars and Champions League football on the horizon.
Could a huge swap deal be on the cards?
A swap deal involving Victor Osimhen could be the perfect solution, and could benefit both Napoli and United as each club hope to offload wantaway stars this summer.
One of the major improvements United still hope to make this summer is in the centre-forward position. A top-quality striker could complete a formidable new-look front three alongside Cunha and Mbeumo, capable of propelling the Red Devils back up the Premier League table and towards a top-four challenge.
Napoli have one of those in their ranks, and he is set to leave the club. Osimhen was expected to leave permanently last summer but instead sealed a season-long loan with Galatasaray, who may still hope to sign him permanently. But links with the Red Devils have surfaced, and this could lead to a move which is in the best interests of both clubs.
A swap deal of Hojlund and Sancho in exchange for Osimhen would be unorthodox, but would present an opportunity for both clubs to make their desired squad improvements without breaking the bank.
Napoli’s valuation of Osimhen has put off interested parties in the past, but the transfer of two high-profile players in exchange could be the answer to this problem. Hojlund has struggled at Old Trafford, while Sancho is poised to leave, meaning a potential deal may work perfectly for all involved.
Continue Reading