Man Utd reignite interest in £72.6m star to partner Pogba, Fernandes

Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes

Manchester United are back in the market to sign a long-term target that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes would complete their midfield.

The Red Devils found a rich vein of form over the latter and punctuated 2019/20 season. Solskjaer’s side remained unbeaten in the Premier League since a 2-0 home defeat to Burnley on January 22 – form which secured a third-placed finish.

That will bring with it a return to the Champions League next season – and a guaranteed £120m windfall.

While United have been strongly linked with Jadon Sancho, hopes of signing Jack Grealish appear to have taken a downturn.

As reported, United could be ready to walk away over a deal for the Villa man over a dispute of his valuation.

But strengthening his midfield is very much in Solskjaer’s thinking and reports in France claim another man is back on the agenda.

According to Foot Mercato, United are considering a fresh move to sign Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

The Serb is a long-term target for the club, having been watched since the Jose Mourinho era. Now valued at a deflated €80m (£72.6m), the French publication reckons United could now launch an approach.

They say Solskjaer believes a midfield triumvirate of Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba and Milinkovic-Savic could be the dream ticket. United are hoping to go deep into the Champions League next season and to close the gap on leaders Liverpool. The capture of the Lazio man could help take them to the next level, it’s claimed.

 

The Serbian has bagged seven goals and chipped in with six assists in 35 Serie A appearances this season.

And at 6ft 3in he would add real steel and genuine quality to their midfield. With Nemanja Matic, Scott McTominay and Fred to fall back on, Solskjaer believes United’s midfield would have serious strength in depth.

And while Lazio will stick to their €80m valuation, Foot Mercato reckons the fee won’t be an issue for a man they once valued at nearer €120m.

Juventus and PSG are also said to have been alerted by Lazio’s valuation of the player.

 

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Solskjaer given defender funds

Solskjaer is also likely to be in the market to sign a new defender.

The Red Devils only conceded three more goals in the league this term than champions Liverpool with Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof the regular starters in the heart of their defence.

Maguire and Lindelof have received criticism at different times throughout the season. Many feeling that it’s still a position that Man Utd need to improve.

Gabriel Magalhaes Moussa Dembele

As such, the Daily Telegraph claims Solskjaer ‘would like to bring in another centre-half’.  However, he’s also been informed they ‘will first need to clear the decks before recruiting’.

That could see the likes of Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling all departing.

Rojo has been on loan at Estudiantes since January and hopes to make the move permanent. It’s a similar story for Smalling and Roma. Jones, meanwhile, could see his number up after falling out of favour.

Should they depart, Solskjaer is likely to bring in more competition for Maguire and Lindelof.

On Monday, it was claimed a €30m approach for Gabriel Magalhaes was being lined up.