Sir Jim Ratcliffe is about to complete his £1.3billion purchase of a 25% stake in Manchester United, which is unlikely to have a significant impact on the club’s transfer budget – but that hasn’t stopped a slew of players from being connected with a move to Old Trafford.
The United board of directors is anticipated to approve a plan to make Ratcliffe a minority stakeholder this week. The British millionaire would take over the sporting side of the firm, but FFP would make it difficult for him to invest large sums in transfers.
However, the speculation mill does not operate on nuance, therefore we’ve selected seven big players who have been connected with United in recent days.
Mr. Victor Osimhen
After failing to make a bid for Harry Kane, United splurged on Rasmus Hojlund this summer, and the Danish international has made an immediate impact at Old Trafford.
However, with Marcus Rashford failing to ignite and Anthony Martial continuing to be sidelined, Erik ten Hag is eager to bolster his squad’s offensive firepower.
United were the lowest scorers in last season’s top six, and you’d bet on Osimhen to change that; the Nigerian striker scored 31 goals during Napoli’s Scudetto-winning season and is wanted by every top European side.
He’d most likely cost more than £100 million, but United would see that as a reasonable investment for a 24-year-old goal-scoring guarantee.
Ferguson, Evan
Ferguson, who is built like an industrial-sized fridge but has the feet of a ballerina, is one of Europe’s most in-demand strikers following his exploits for Brighton and the Republic of Ireland.
United launched a £50 million deal for the 19-year-old this summer, which Brighton turned down. They will demand more than £100 million for this prized asset.
“I’m sure Evan Ferguson would be delighted at the thought of playing for Liverpool and Manchester United as most Irish boys would dream of that,” Dunne told BoyleSports.com. “I think it’ll happen for him in the future.”
Ferguson’s arrival at Old Trafford would be a big coup.
Mr. Marc Guehi
United have struggled at centre-back this season, with injuries to Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof lacking Ten Hag’s support, and Jonny Evans playing more than anyone would be happy with.
It’s not surprising that Guehi has been linked with a move to Old Trafford.
The Crystal Palace defender, 23, has been consistently excellent under Roy Hodgson at club level, while also solidifying his position in England’s squad.
Guehi’s current contract at Selhurst Park expires in 2026, and The South London Press reports that he would cost more than £50 million, the same sum United paid to sign Aaron Wan-Bissaka four years ago.
Lois Openda’s
The Golden Generation may have reached retirement age, but Belgium is generating some high-level replacements for some of its greatest-ever players, including Openda.
United, along with a number of other elite Premier League clubs, are interested in the RB Leipzig striker, but the Bundesliga club is unlikely to agree to a deal during the January transfer window.
After leading Lens to second place in Ligue 1 last season, Openda has five goals in 11 games for his new club, and Leipzig will be looking for a significant return on their €43 million investment.
Mr. Antonio Silva
Silva, the newest product of Benfica’s renowned academy, has grabbed the attention of Europe’s premier clubs at the age of 20. That’s not bad for a centre-back.
He has already made 53 professional appearances for Benfica, scoring five goals, and is seen as Pepe’s replacement in the Portuguese defense.
It’s no surprise that Silva has piqued the curiosity of clubs across Europe, notably Manchester United, Liverpool, and Real Madrid. Ratcliffe’s signature would be expensive, but it would be a big statement of purpose from him.
Vermeeren, A.
Antwerp qualified for the Champions League group stages for the first time in decades this season, and players of Vermeeren’s caliber were instrumental in the Belgian club’s revival.
The 18-year-old has piqued the curiosity of clubs all across Europe, including Barcelona and Premier League giants such as Liverpool, United, and West Ham.
However, it is rumored that Arsenal have made a strong step to position themselves as frontrunners to complete a January deal for the highly rated teenager. But Ratcliffe might unleash his inner Boehly and sabotage any move for the midfielder…
Mr. Edmond Tapsoba
Tapsoba has developed into an outstanding defender deserving of playing at the highest levels of club football as a member of Xabi Alonso’s Bundesliga table-toppers.
United are seeking for an athletic defender to replace Varane, and Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Edmond Tapsoba, whose contract expires next summer, is being considered.
It would be a brilliant signing for United and a statement that the club is moving away from signing injury-prone big names on big contracts.