A year ago
The summer transfer window is fast approaching and there are plenty of bargains for Manchester United.
It won't be long before we enter the middle of the transfer window again and it will be another expensive transfer window for Manchester United.
Erik ten Hag was given a budget of over £200m in his first summer in charge of Old Trafford and hopefully with new owners available by the time the next one arrives, he could have it all. Harry Kane is currently a top target and although he is approaching the final year of his contract, Tottenham are unlikely to sell their amulet cheaply.
United are also eyeing another quality midfielder to bolster their defence, and like all European clubs, they want to sign Jude Bellingham, another player for at least £100m. Frenkie De Jong is also a dream signing for Ten Hag, despite the Dutchman's insistence on staying at Barcelona.
With much need to improve the squad further along with two top-of-the-line additions, United are sure to splash the cash again in 2023. But as Ten Hag demonstrated last year with the signing of Christian Eriksen, a game-changing quality can be found in the free agency market and should not be overlooked.
While United want a top-class striker to finally bring in goals like Kane or Victor Osimhen, this season has shown the need for a number of options in the position, so it could be tempting to Bring in someone else if possible. Especially when Anthony Martial has been included in the transfer list. Wout Weghorst could be on permanent loan after impressing Ten Hag with his selfless efforts, but perhaps a slightly calmer striker in front of goal would be the smartest. Marcus Thuram, 25, has been successfully used multiple times as a substitute for France at the World Cup and has scored 12 goals in 24 games for Borussia Mönchengladbach this season.
Frenchman Moussa Dembele can also bring to mind Weghorst's physical presence while also being much more clinical. United have been tracking the Lyon striker for several years now and finally got the chance to sign him for nothing. The current campaign has been tough for Dembele, who has lost his guaranteed place in the squad and has only scored three goals, but he scored 21 of 30 goals last season and is consistently bringing in good numbers. . Dembele or Thuram would add well to a big signing.
There is perhaps a trend for France internationals to become free agents this summer, as the two strikers are not the only ones. Ten Hag wants to bring more technical quality to his midfield, with quality now plummeting whenever Casemiro or Eriksen are absent. Like Weghorst, Marcel Sabitzer is also applying for an extension of his short-term stay, but Bayern Munich will likely demand a decent fee.
Instead, the Bosman market offers a great selection. Houssem Aouar may not have reached his full potential since arriving at Lyon, but he is only 24 years old and has a lot of talent that a coach like Ten Hag can develop. Aouar is capable of playing anywhere in midfield and has a wealth of experience, inspiring his side to knock Manchester City out of the Champions League and earning praise from Pep Guardiola. .
Yet another French player, Adrien Rabiot, is a player United know very well after deciding to sign him last summer when it became clear De Jong would not come.
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