Man Utd transfer news: Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ivan Rakitic
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will look to bolster United back four this summer
Manchester United are set to rival Arsenal and Manchester City for the signing of Crystal Palace right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, according to reports.
TalkSPORT claims that the 21-year-old is one of three summer targets identified by the Red Devils, along with Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly and Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic.
The broadcaster says United will look to “buy those three players before the start of next season”, as part of a campaign to end the Premier League dominance of rivals Man City and Liverpool.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Arsenal were linked with a move for Wan-Bissaka earlier in the week, but with the Gunners strapped for cash, United are tipped to swoop with an offer that matches Palace’s £40m asking price. Man City were also linked with the Palace star last month.
TalkSPORT says that caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - described by ESPN as the “only serious candidate” for the full-time manager’s job - doesn’t believe Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young and Diogo Dalot are what he needs going forward, hence the move for Wan-Bissaka.
Back for Koulibaly
That also explains why the Norwegian is stalking Senegal international Koulibaly, continuing from where Jose Mourinho left off.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis said that United made a £95m bid for the 27-year-old last year - and while that bid was unsuccessful, there should be another one this summer as Solskjaer looks to bolster his back-four.
As for Barcelona playmaker Rakitic, talkSPORT reports that the Catalan club “are considering selling the 30-year-old midfielder to help balance their books”, and that United’s stiffest competition is likely to come from Inter Milan.
Farewell Valencia?
Meanwhile, Manchester Evening News (MEN) has further information on Antonio Valencia, reporting that United “must decide within the next month” whether to trigger the veteran’s contract extension.
There is the option of an additional year on his current deal, but with Valencia sidelined with injury since 2 January, Solskjaer must decide whether to trigger the clause or tell the 33-year-old that his services are no longer required.
Given the club’s interest in Wan-Bissaka and Koulibaly, the smart money suggests it will be the latter. If United do allow Valencia to leave on a free transfer, he will be the first player whose plus one option has not been activated since it was introduced in 2013.
Premier League fixtures
Saturday 2 March (3pm unless stated)
- Tottenham Hotspur vs. Arsenal (12.30pm, live on BT Sport)
- AFC Bournemouth vs. Manchester City
- Brighton and Hove Albion vs. Huddersfield Town
- Burnley vs. Crystal Palace
- Manchester United vs. Southampton
- Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Cardiff City
- West Ham United vs. Newcastle United (5.30pm, live on Sky Sports)
Sunday 3 March
- Watford vs. Leicester City (12pm, live on Sky Sports)
- Fulham vs. Chelsea (2.05pm, live on Sky Sports)
- Everton vs. Liverpool (4.15pm, live on Sky Sports)
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
Who are the markets backing in the US election?
Talking Point Speculators are piling in on the Trump trade. A Harris victory would come as a surprise
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: November 3, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
By Jamie Timson Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
feature After another year without a trophy, Spurs are now searching for a new manager
By The Week Staff Published