Champions League

Manchester United 'want world-class striker and midfielder this summer'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 17 May 2023

Man United 'want world-class striker and midfielder this summer'

Manchester United will look to sign a world-class forward and midfielder this summer if they secure Champions League football for next season, according to a report.

Manchester United reportedly will look to sign a world-class forward and midfielder during this summer's transfer window if they secure Champions League football for the 2023-24 campaign.

The Red Devils are currently fourth in the Premier League table, one point clear of fifth-placed Liverpool, with a game in hand on the Merseyside giants.

Man United are also level on points (66) with third-placed Newcastle United ahead of Saturday's trip to Bournemouth, where Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay should return to the squad.

The 20-time English champions will then finish their season with back-to-back home matches against Chelsea and Fulham, with the team looking to cement a spot in the top four.

According to the Manchester Evening News, if Man United secure Champions League football for next season, they will look to sign a world-class striker and midfielder this summer.

Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane celebrates scoring their first goal on April 23, 2023 © Reuters

The report claims that Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane remains the club's leading target in the final third of the field, although the club will not be dragged into a transfer saga when it comes to the England captain.

Napoli's Victor Osimhen is also said to be a target, although the Nigerian could cost in the region of £140m.

Eintracht Frankfurt's Randal Kolo Muani has also been linked with a switch to Old Trafford, but the France international is said to favour a move to Bayern Munich ahead of next season.

Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham and Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong are seen as midfield targets, but the former is said to be on the verge of joining Real Madrid, while the latter is again expected to strongly resist a summer exit, as was the case during last summer's window.

Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong pictured during training on February 22, 2023 © Reuters

Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag is said to view a striker as a priority, with Wout Weghorst set to return to Burnley this summer following a loan spell.

Anthony Martial could also depart on a permanent basis, with the Frenchman struggling with a number of fitness problems during the 2022-23 campaign.

Christian Eriksen and Casemiro both arrived last summer to boost Man United's midfield options, but McTominay could leave ahead of next season, which would open up space in the squad for another addition in that area of the field.

The size of the team's budget for the summer transfer window is still unclear due to the uncertainty surrounding the ownership of the club, with the Glazers in talks over a sale.

Man United are also said to be working to sign a centre-back, with Napoli's Kim Min-jae viewed as a leading target, although the South Korean's agent has played down suggestions that a deal is close.