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Transfer news: Manchester United’s top targets?
Manchester United have had a busy summer so far, adding Fred and Diogo Dalot to their squad in a bid to overhaul rivals and Premier League champions Manchester City.
We take a look at who else might be joining Jose Mourinho’s side this summer, assessing the transfer odds available with online bookmaker Sky Bet.
Alex Sandro (Juventus) – Evens
After recently acquiring Diogo Dalot to play right-back, Mourinho could turn his attention to the other side of his defence.
Due to his lack of faith in both Luke Shaw and Daley Blind, the United boss has been forced to field 32-year-old Ashley Young in the left-back position. The England utility man has, in truth, done what Mourinho asked of him brilliantly but the Red Devils will be keen to secure a top-class long-term player for the position with Young as back-up.
They have been following the progress of Juventus' left-sider Alex Sandro for a while but Sky Sports Italia have reported that Mourinho and his representatives are yet to make their interest in the Brazilian known.
If Sandro, 27, is to join the red side of Manchester this summer it is likely that United will have to match the £60m that was touted when Chelsea lined up the defender last season.
Marko Arnautovic (West Ham) – Evens
Austrian winger-turned-striker Marko Arnautovic enjoyed a fantastic end to last season for West Ham once David Moyes deployed him further up the field.
According to reports, Mourinho has been in contact with Arnautovic’s agent and brother over a possible move for the West Ham man.
Stuart Pearce, who was Moyes' assistant at the Hammers, recently told talkSPORT: "He has got the ability to be in the top four in this country, without a doubt.
"It’s just whether West Ham want to sell him."
This transfer will likely depend on who United recruit in the coming weeks and the appointment of Manuel Pellegrini as West Ham manager may be enough incentive for Arnautovic to stick around for another season.
Friday papers: West Ham want £60m for Arnautovic
Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) – 11/4
Immediately after his magnificent Champions League goal last month Bale used his post-match interview to issue a come and get me plea to seemingly anyone who would have him.
Only a handful of teams in Europe would be able to afford Bale’s buyout clause, never mind the astronomical wages needed to secure his signature - he is reportedly on £350,000-a-week at Real Madrid.
United are arguably one of those teams who could finance the move but they may need to smash their transfer record to sign the Welsh star.
Bale is 8/11 to stay at Madrid, however, and after Zinedine Zidane’s shock departure as manager, that is looking more likely.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – 6/1
Although still 2/5 to remain at Real Madrid for another season, Ronaldo did hint at a desire to play his football elsewhere after collecting his third successive Champions League, although this could simply have been a ploy to encourage Madrid president Florentino Perez to offer him a more lucrative contract.
Ronaldo has won the Ballon d’Or in four of the last five years but the recent Forbes list showed he is still paid less than long-time rival Lionel Messi.
If Manchester United are serious about re-signing their former golden boy it is likely they will have to break the bank.
Danny Rose (Tottenham) – 7/4
Danny Rose would possibly represent a cheaper alternative to Alex Sandro should United not be willing to pay the Serie A champions' asking price.
Rose has been in and out of Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham team ever since his unfortunate comments about Spurs’ transfer policy. The Doncaster-born full-back also voiced his concerns that he may only have “one big contract” left in him and maybe it could be United who provide him with it.
Mourinho criticised Manchester City’s big money signings of Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy last season, stating that City 'buy full-backs for the price of striker'. But after witnessing Walker’s impressive first season under Guardiola, the United boss could now be prepared to spend similar amounts on his defenders.
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Odds correct as of 1000 BST 08/06/18