According to sources, Manchester United has already identified possible transfer targets for next summer in order to duplicate their Mason Mount heist. Mount joined United in a £60 million deal after entering the final year of his contract at Chelsea.
According to the Manchester Evening News, the Red Devils are already interested in several players who will be out of contract in 2025.
Express Sport assesses Erik ten Hag’s potential priority positions and identifies five talents United could aim to sign for a bargain next summer.
Jeremie Frimpong
If neither Diogo Dalot nor Aaron Wan-Bissaka establish themselves as Manchester United’s starting right-backs this season, Ten Hag will resume his quest for a replacement.
The M16 giants were reportedly interested in Jeremie Frimpong earlier this summer before shifting their focus elsewhere.
And, if he hasn’t already signed a new contract with Bayer Leverkusen, Ten Hag could make a move next summer.
Dumfries, Denzel
Denzel Dumfries is another right-back who United are apparently interested in if Ten Hag decides to move on from Dalot and Wan-Bissaka.
The 27-year-old is expected to remain at Inter Milan in the next weeks as United seeks a new center-back and midfielder.
However, if Ten Hag has a great season at the San Siro, he may request that the club take advantage of his fellow Dutchman’s contract position.
Victor Osimhen
Rasmus Hojlund of Atalanta cost Manchester United £72 million. However, at the age of 20, he is likely to need some time to show his best in England. This summer, the Red Devils apparently wanted two new goal scorers.
Ten Hag listed Harry Kane as his top striker target early in the transfer window, but Tottenham Hotspur made it clear that he was not available to Premier League competitors.
Victor Osimhen was reportedly on United’s radar before Napoli priced his suitors out. He’ll be 25 next summer and might be Ten Hag’s more seasoned frontman to battle with Hojlund.
Ollie Watkins
Ollie Watkins is another striker who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford following an impressive season at Aston Villa.
If he continues to score goals under Unai Emery, the 27-year-old’s status will only rise.
And if he does not extend his current contract this season, United may consider him as a replacement for Hojlund.
Ivan Toney
Ivan Toney is suspended until January, although he established his Premier League goalscoring credentials last season.
The Brentford striker would have surely made transfer headlines if he hadn’t been ruled out for the first half of the season. But if he comes back firing at the end of the year, he won’t be short of admirers.
If he enters the final year of his contract, United could do much worse than test the Bees’ resolve next summer.
