Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has reportedly identified two key areas to strengthen this summer – and loanee Odion Ighalo also appears set to sign on a permanent basis.
The Old Trafford outfit enjoyed a resurgent run of form before
football was brought to a halt due to the coronavirus pandemic, and
United are once again expected to spend heavily at the end of the
season.
And according to Metro, United will wrap up a deal for Ighalo before turning their attention to securing a new right winger and central midfielder.
United are believed to be hopeful of snapping up Ighalo, who has
impressed during a short stint for his boyhood club, for around
£15million.
The club originally budgeted a much higher
amount to secure the services of a new frontman to provide competition
for Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, meaning United may use the
leftover to help significantly bolster Solskjaer’s resources.
But
United may face a battle to ensure Ighalo stays, with the 30-year-old
having been offered a lucrative contract extension by his parent club
Shanghai Shenhua.
Sportsmail previously revealed that
Ighalo’s short-term deal in the top flight runs out on May 31, and
Shanghai are understood to have pitched an improved two-year deal worth
£400,000-a-week.
The in-form frontman has brushed off his contract dilemma, and believes that discussing his uncertain future in the midst of the current global health crisis would be insensitive.
Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho will likely be United’s top
priority when the transfer window re-opens, although the Bundesliga
giants may demand a club record fee of £120million.
The
England international is widely expected to secure a move away this
summer after impressing in Germany, and United reportedly remain
frontrunners despite the hefty price tag.
United are said to
view Sancho’s valuation as good value due to the forward’s age and
ability – and have been encouraged by positive signals from the
youngster’s camp.
Solskjaer also hopes to further strengthen
his central midfield options, with Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish
identified as another key target and Paul Pogba’s immediate future
remaining unclear.
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