Manchester United are reportedly eyeing a swoop for out-of-contract Wolves right-back Nelson Semedo.Manchester United are reportedly eyeing a swoop for out-of-contract Wolves right-back Nelson Semedo.
Manchester United are reportedly eyeing a swoop for out-of-contract Wolves right-back Nelson Semedo. | Getty Images
Man United have been urged not to sell one of their midfielders this summer amid suggestions of a £42m asking price.
Man United are going to have a busy transfer window this summer, as they will need to sell in order to buy if they want to rebuild their squad under Ruben Amorim.
After failing to secure Champions League football next season, they will also struggle to convince players to come to Old Trafford, and so may need more finances in order to help draw some top players to the North West.
Will Manchester United sell Kobbie Mainoo?
Kobbie Mainoo was linked with a move away in the January transfer window, and could be a player that United sell this summer as they look to build their transfer funds for Amorim to spend. The 20-year-old struggled with injury this season, making just 25 Premier League appearances. It now looks like he could be on his way out this summer, to help generate some ‘pure profit’ for United.
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Man United have set a £42m asking price for the midfielder, despite reports in January suggesting that they would want at least £70m for Mainoo. In the wake of a potential sale, former Man United scout Mick Brown has urged the club against selling the 20-year-old, especially for a £42m asking price, due to the immense potential that Mainoo has.
Brown told Football Insider: “If it were up to me, they would be holding on to Mainoo at all costs. I think he’s a top-class midfielder who could start for Man United and for England for the foreseeable future, and he’s come out of the academy. I don’t think Amorim sees him fitting in with his system and how he wants to play. After missing out on the Champions League, they might have to sell. The talk at the club is more about what sort of fee they could get for him and where he’s going to go. The money needs to be enough that they can find a replacement because you can’t keep letting people go if you haven’t got people coming in.“
Who could replace Kobbie Mainoo if Man United sell him?
If United were to sell the 20-year-old, they could try and go after Atalanta midfielder Ederson as a potential replacement. They have been linked to the Brazilian, however, it is understood that he would like to play Champions League football next season. In terms of other targets, Sporting CP’s defensive midfielder Morten Hjulmand could be a more realistic option. He played under Amorim at the Portuguese club, and has continued to be a key player for Sporting this season.
Hjulmand made 28 league appearances this season, scoring two goals and providing two assists. Reports by Caught Offside have said that Tottenham and Arsenal are keen on signing the Danish international as well as United. It says that Sporting values the 25-year-old at around £46m, despite the fact that he has a release clause of £67m. A £46m price tag would make him a perfect replacement for Mainoo in terms of money. He would demand lower wages than the England international is looking to earn on a new contract too.
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