Manchester United transfer round-up: How likely are players to sign? Including Harry Maguire, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and more
Manchester United's summer transfer window is in full swing, with a number of players linked with a switch to Old Trafford.
United have already added two new faces this summer, with the arrival of Daniel James from Swansea and Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace.
The duo combined have seen their spending stand at £70m, and with other areas of the squad still requiring further strengthening, that figure is only set to increase before August's deadline.
It's not just incomings, but players are expected to depart too with Paul Pogba the headline name. The midfielder is wanting out and a blockbuster summer transfer could be on the cards.
The same applies to striker Romelu Lukaku, with Serie A clubs heavily linked with his signature.
Here, we look at each high-profile player linked with a move to the club and deliver our verdict on how likely it is to happen on a scale of 1-10, one being incredibly unlikely and ten meaning all-but-confirmed in our eyes.
Sean Longstaff
United have already secured two young British stars in James and Wan-Bissaka and they have been linked with a £50million swoop for Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff.
It is not the first time Longstaff has been linked with an Old Trafford move after catching Solskjaer's eye last season after breaking into the Newcastle first team.
The 21-year-old made 13 appearances, nine in the Premier League, before a knee ligament injury in March brought a premature end to his campaign.
He signed a new contract at St James' Park in December that runs until 2022 and Newcastle insist Longstaff is not for sale, with Sky Sports claiming he will cost Manchester United more than the £50m they spent on Wan-Bissaka.
Verdict: 7/10 - United have shifted their focus in the transfer market to signing young, British players and Longstaff fits the bill. The midfielder has stepped up last season and would have played more last season had he not picked up an injury. Out of all the names linked with United this summer, this seems like one of the more likely to happen.
Sky Bet odds: 1/4 favourites
Harry Maguire
Long-time target Maguire will not come cheap, with Leicester rejecting a £70m plus Marcos Rojo offer last week and they are said to want the majority of their £85million valuation up front.
The big price tag is said to have put off Premier League champions Manchester City, who forked out a club-record £62.6million for Rodri from Atletico Madrid just a few days ago.
It has been said that Maguire favours a move to Pep Guardiola's City, but Solskjaer's willingness to build his defence around Maguire could convince the England man of a move to the red side of Manchester.
Verdict: 7/10 - United are said to be in the market for a centre-back and the England international would be a welcome addition at Old Trafford. They are reportedly rivalling City for his signature, but a big pay out on Rodri could see them look elsewhere. Given the calibre of player brought in already, Maguire may be sold on the project that Solskjaer is looking to build.
Sky Bet odds: 8/11 favourites
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
Another player heavily linked with United in recent seasons, reports in Italy claim that Lazio's sporting director Igli Tare has flown to England to hold talks with Manchester United over a potential move for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
Last summer, the Serbia international would have cost around €120m but reports claim that after a less impressive season he could come cheaper at around €80m.
It has been said that the midfielder could sign before the Red Devils allow Paul Pogba to head to Real Madrid. The 24-year-old Spanish-born player made 41 appearances for Lazio last season, scoring seven and assisting three.
His younger brother Vanja was signed by United in 2014 before staying in the Serbian Super League for a further season. After failing to get a work permit, United released the goalkeeper 18 months later without him playing for the club, so he would be able to offer little advice to his older sibling.
Verdict: 5/10 - this move was talked about a lot last summer but it's quietened down substantially since then. PSG remain the favourites for his signature, although Paul Pogba's departure could see this become a deal set to happen again. Definitely a name to keep an eye out for at this point.
Sky Bet odds: 3/1
Dani Olmo
A name lesser known to some, but it looks like United are set to miss out on the signing of Spanish midfielder Dani Olmo.
The 21-year-old plies his trade for Dinamo Zagreb and scored 12 and assisted nine in 44 appearances for the Croatian outfit last term.
United were said to be eager to bring him to Old Trafford, although Spurs are expected to sign him for around £22million, according to reports.
Verdict: 2/10 - As said above, it looks as though Tottenham is the destination for the Spain under-21s international. You imagine that United will have their priorities elsewhere currently.
Matthijs de Ligt
Matthijs de Ligt is probably the most in-demand youngster in Europe this summer and his future is nearing a resolution.
De Ligt's agent, Mino Raiola, has said that the defender has agreed personal terms with Juventus, but the deal is not done with any agreement yet to be finalised with current club Ajax.
European football expert Julian Laurens told ESPN FC: "I think there’s a chance where Ajax will lose a little bit of patience and say ‘hang on a minute, PSG agreed, Manchester United agreed. In that case we stop talking to you and De Ligt can choose between the clubs that we actually have an agreement in place’ [with].
"It’s not really in Ajax’s interest to waste a bit more time about De Ligt. They want the money in, they want for him to go, he was great for them but now he’s decided that he wants to go.
"They want that deal to happen, they won’t want to have to go back and forth in negotiations with Juventus or whoever else.
"So they might well say ‘do you know what, we already have an agreement in place with some clubs, we’re going to only focus on those clubs and De Ligt would have to choose between those clubs because you’re wasting our time’."
De Ligt recently said he is 'excited' about what the future holds and that he is 'trying to stay calm', although United would have to move quickly if he is to join.
Verdict: 1/10 - there was hope that this one would happen earlier on in the summer, but Juventus looks like the likely destination now personal terms have been agreed between the club and player.
OUT: Romelu Lukaku
A move to Inter Milan looked to be most likely for the Belgian, but the Italians face competition from rivals Juventus who have seemingly joined the race.
Sky Sports Italia claim Juve are ready to meet United's demands to push through a move for around £75million, with Lukaku apparently willing to take a wage cut in order to get a fresh start away from Old Trafford.
Inter initially offered to take him on loan before making the move permanent in 2021 for £62million, but it was rejected by United.
The fact Lukaku headed to Australia with United for pre-season made it tough for a deal to happen imminently for either side.
But Inter chief Antonio Conte has supposedly told Inter Milan he wants the club to land Romelu Lukaku, Edin Dzeko and Nicolo Barella within ten days.
Mauro Icardi and Radja Nainggolan have been left out of Inter's pre-season training camp and told they have no future at the San Siro by the club's chief executive Beppe Marotta. Manchester United were among the clubs offered the duo but have reportedly turned down the chance to sign the pair.
Verdict: 9/10 - Lukaku could do with a move away from Old Trafford and Serie A seems the likely destination. Juventus and Inter Milan are keen and both have the finances to afford a move. United will benefit from bringing in a different striker too so this is a deal that makes sense for all parties.
To sign for before 3rd September 2019 (odds via Sky Bet):
- Inter Milan - 2/7
- Juventus - 4/1
- AC Milan - 20/1
- PSG - 20/1
- Atletico Madrid - 33/1
- Barcelona - 33/1
- Bayern Munich - 33/1
- Everton - 33/1
- Real Madrid - 33/1
OUT: Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba's agent has confirmed that the midfielder is 'in the process' of securing a move away from Manchester United.
Mino Raiola states that the United hierarchy have been made aware of the situation and he is working on finding a new club for the France international.
"Everyone within the club from the manager to the owner knows Paul’s wishes," Raiola told The Times.
"Everyone knows the willingness of Paul to move on. We are in the process of that. Everyone knows what the feelings of Paul are."
Despite a demand for a move away, Pogba has been included in United's pre-season tour squad for their trip to Australia.
He re-joined Manchester United for an £89.3m fee in August 2016 and has gone onto make over 120 appearances for the club.
Verdict: 8/10 - this looks like a big move set to happen this summer given Mino Raiola's recent comments. Real Madrid are the favourites to bring him in, but given the fee that United demand, only a small number of elite clubs will be able to afford the midfielder.
To sign for before 3rd September 2019 (odds via Sky Bet):
- Real Madrid - 1/2
- Juventus - 9/2
- PSG - 16/1
- Inter Milan - 33/1
Odds correct at 1100 BST (08/07/19)
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