Time is ticking for Manchester United to break the bank in the transfer market.
A frustrated Mourinho is not a happy Mourinho. At the moment, the outspoken Portuguese manager is frustrated. Not only does he have to deal with players arriving late following the World Cup and Anthony Martial’s disobedience, he also has to put up with Manchester United’s lack of activity in the transfer market. Fred, Diogo Dalot and Fred have been the only three reinforcements to join the club this summer.
Harry Maguire and Toby Aiderweireld lead the list of central defender targets
Toby Aiderweireld was thought to be on the brink of joining Manchester United, but contract talks have stalled recently, pushing The Red Devils to look for answers in a different direction. Harry Maguire has emerged as the main candidate to become the centre back Jose Mourinho is craving for.
In three years, the 25-year-old Maguire has gone from an average Championship defender to a €65 million man. After helping Hull earn a promotion, he was voted Hull’s Player of the Year the following season in which the club was relegated. His performances caught Leicester City’s attention and The Foxes signed him for €15 million. Another exceptional campaign in which he was one of the best Premier League centre-backs was followed by a Gareth Southgate call-up and a spot in England’s starting lineup during the 2018 World Cup. He impressed there as well and raised his market value accordingly. Leicester don’t want to sell, but The Red Devils are pushing for a deal regardless.
Toby Aiderweireld is still an option. Unless Mauricio Pochettino can assure him of regular playing time, the Belgian will probably leave and Mourinho’s team remains his most likely destination.
Leonardo Bonucci and Jerome Boateng are two more potential options. Both of them have been linked with moves to Paris Saint-Germain.
Thiago Alcantara, Ante Rebic, Willian and Arturo Vidal have all had their names written next to Manchester United in recent weeks, yet none of those rumours have translated into something more serious.
The club did miss out on Canadian teenage sensation Alphonso Davies, who chose to sign with Bayern Munich for a reported €17 million. Liverpool and PSG were the other clubs interested in the Vancouver Whitecaps youngster.