Manchester United are in the market for a goalkeeper this summerplaceholder image
Manchester United are in the market for a goalkeeper this summer | Manchester United via Getty Images
Man United need to sell to land their top transfer targets this summer.
Ruben Amorim’s transfer window started quickly with the signing of Matheus Cunha, but in terms of real impact players, it has quietened down since then, with the Red Devils yet to sign a defensive midfielder, goalkeeper or striker.
However, United have an issue with a lack of transfer budget after ferocious spending in the past couple of years under Erik Ten Hag. It leaves Amorim with the task of either improving his squad on a budget or looking to sell some players to boost his funds.
In terms of the striker position, the Red Devils want to bring in a number nine who can score 20 plus goals in the Premier League, something that they haven’t had for the past couple of seasons, but they are only going to be able to land their top target, if they sell this one player.
Man Utd need to sell Rasmus Hojlund to sign Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins
Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins has been a rumoured top target for Man United and Arsenal this summer, after the Gunners saw a £40m bid rejected for him in January. Watkins is expected to cost at least £60m, with Villa reluctant to sell their talisman, who scored 17 goals, and provided 14 assists last year.
According to a report by Caught Offside, any deal for the England international can be considered unlikely unless Man United sell Rasmus Hojlund to boost their finances. The Danish international struggled last year, scoring just four goals in the Premier League.
He has been subject to interest from Napoli and Inter Milan, and if United can sell the 22-year-old, it could help them to afford a deal for Watkins. A source quoted in the report that Amorim is personally very keen on Watkins as a target. It read: “Amorim wants to reshape the squad by focusing on players with Premier League experience.
“Watkins is at the heart of this vision, along with names like Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. Amorim’s target is clear: Ready-made stars who will contribute immediately.”
Manchester United should offer Aston Villa a Rasmus Hojlund swap
If Villa were to sell Watkins this summer, they would need to replace him with at least one other striker, and so United could consider offering Hojlund in part-exchange for the 29-year-old, as some form of compensation.
The Danish striker is still considered as someone with top potential, but he is yet to get close to those heights. Unai Emery has a track record of developing young players, and so, along with perhaps an experienced striker next to Hojlund, the 22-year-old could flourish at Villa Park.
However, there has been no reported interest from Villa in Hojlund, and they don’t want to sell Watkins, so the cash added onto Hojlund in a swap would still have to be significant to tempt a deal. It remains unlikely, but it United could always suggest a swap and see how Villa react to the proposal.
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