Players Manchester United should sign in this transfer window

After a third place finish in the Premier league and securing Champions league football for next season, Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer voiced his expectations from the transfer market:- “The club know what I feel we need and we are going to try and pursue it. Let’s see where we end up. I think we’ve shown that this team is going places.”

United chief Executive Ed Woodward, the man responsible for transfer dealings knows that apart from the first choice XI, the current squad lacks quality and depth. He has to splash the cash to bring in at least 3 to 5 world class players to make this team capable of challenging for Premier league titles and European trophies.

Let us have a look at some of the players United should target in this transfer market and some wild card entries as well.

Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund)

Sancho fits United transfer strategy perfectly. He’s a young English player with loads of talent and potential to become even better. Sancho’s versatility means that he can play anywhere across the forward line which ties in with Solskjaer’s game plan to have the forwards swap positions during games. Sancho’s record is very impressive 29 goals and 30 assists in 66 Bundesliga games (last 2 seasons). Everything is in favor of the move except current club Dortmund’s exorbitant asking price of 120 million Euros.

Transfer Valuation: 120 million Euros

Jack Grealish (Aston Villa)

Grealish has almost single handedly kept Villa in the Premier league this season. He is another young English player player who perfectly fits United’s transfer strategy. Grealish is second only to Kevin De Bruyne in the number of chances created in the Premier league this season. The likes of Martial and Rashford would thrive with Grealish’s creativity. United need to add creativity and flair to their forward line and Grealish certainly fits the bill. Question is whether United will splash 80 million pounds on him with the priority target being Sancho and the current financial situation with Coronavirus.

Transfer Valuation: 80 million Pounds

Kai Havertz (Bayer Leverkusen)

Another deal that fits United’s transfer strategy, Havertz is currently one of the hottest young prospects in the Bundesliga alongside Sancho and Werner (Chelsea). He has 12 goals and 6 assists in 30 games this Bundesliga season. Chelsea are reportedly negotiating a deal for the youngster, however anything can happen in the transfer market. Woodward has a good backup option if the Sancho and/or Grealish deals do not go through.

Transfer Valuation: 60 to 75 million Pounds

Donny Van de Beek (Ajax)

Van de Beek is a product of the famed Ajax academy. Ajax’s run in last seasons’ Champions league allowed Van de Beek to show his talents on the international stage and Real Madrid almost signed him.The energetic midfielder will add goals, assists and control to United’s midfield. Any deal to bring him to United should be helped by the fact that United legend Edwin Van Der Sar is currently the CEO at Ajax. Surely a no brainier for Woodward.

Transfer Valuation: 50 million Pounds

Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona)

Dembele grabbed the headlines when he moved from Dortmund to Barcelona for a staggering 105 million Euros. His lightning pace, dribbling skills, ability to provide assists and score goals had made the Catalans shell out big money for him. However persistent injuries and not being able to settle at Barcelona has left Dembele and the Barcelona Management highly frustrated. Barcelona may be willing to cut their losses sell him for a decent amount and Woodward must look to swoop in.

Transfer Valuation: 60 to 75 million Pounds

Now that we have had a look at the main contenders, lets have a look at some alternate players that Woodward could bring to United

James Rodriguez (Real Madrid)

Rodriguez joined Madrid with much fanfare on the back of a successful World cup campaign in 2014. Forward to the present day, a loan spell at Bayern Munich and plenty of transfer speculation later he is still in Madrid rotting away in the stands far away from Manager Zidane’s plans. At 28 years of age he still has a lot to offer and no doubt of his talent and ability either. With just a year to go on his Madrid contract and his wage demands well within range of United, Woodward must move decisively.

Transfer Valuation: 40 to 50 million Euros

Philippe Coutinho (Barcelona)

Another expensive flop in Barcelona’s recent transfer dealings, Coutinho has been shipped out on loan to Bayern Munich. With Munich deeming Coutinho not worth the 120 million Euro price tag and Barcelona looking to cut their losses (again), other clubs may look to buy Coutinho for a cut price deal. Given his excellent Premier league record at Liverpool, Coutinho may be worth a shot. With Arsenal linked with a deal, Woodward can perhaps tempt Barcelona with a bid and test the market.

Transfer Valuation: 60 to 75 million Pounds

Callum Hudson-Odoi

Hudson-Odoi was in the news with Bayern Munich chasing the talented winger in last summers transfer window. He finally stayed back at Chelsea after signing a lucrative deal but has hardly had the game time to show his potential. With the arrival of Werner and possibly Havertz and with Pulisic’s starring role this season, Hudson-Odoi’s prospects of getting into Manager Lampards’s starting XI look bleak. United could tempt him to make the move with more playing time on offer. Chelsea may not sell him to a rival though and even if they do Hudson-Odoi won’t come cheap. A bit of a gamble.

Transfer Valuation: 40 to 50 million Pounds

***Thank you for your readership. Do leave your comments on which players you would like to see Manchester United sign during this transfer window.