Man Utd have three-man shortlist to replace Maguire as Amrabat decision made

10 August 2023 , 02:00

962 0

Manchester United are fast approaching the start of their Premier League campaign against crisis-hit Wolves on Monday night.

United have completed their busy pre-season period, but with the summer transfer window open until September 1 they are still building their squad. Erik ten Hag is happy with the business done so far, with Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana and Mason Mount signed, but there is more work to do.

The club have only received transfer fees for Anthony Elanga and Alex Telles so far this summer and need to reduce the size of their squad. Departures are in the pipeline and they will allow more transfers to be made in the coming weeks.

Here are the latest transfer rumours involving Manchester United.

Three-man shortlist

United have agreed to sell Harry Maguire to West Ham for £30million – and his departure will spark the search for a new defender. Ten Hag wants two players for every position and United will therefore move for a new centre-back in the coming weeks.

Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash

The club have already held ‘constructive talks’ with Nice over Jean-Clair Todibo. The 23-year-old was called up for France duty earlier this year and is available for transfer this summer.

Manchester Evening News say Bayer Leverkusen's Edmond Taspoba is also admired, while Sky Germany reports that Bayern Munich’s Benjamin Pavard is another player on their shortlist.

Amrabat now 'top target'

Sofyan Amrabat is a transfer target for midfield (James Gill/Getty Images)

It’s a similar picture in midfield, where departures will prompt United to bring in reinforcements. Scott McTominay is the subject of interest from West Ham, who have had a £30m bid rejected, while Fred is wanted by Fulham and Galatasaray.

United are open to selling Fred, but the injury to Kobbie Mainoo means McTominay might get more game time in the coming weeks.

Once a sale goes through they are expected to push forward with the signing of Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat. The Daily Mail says he is their ‘next priority’ after signing Hojlund last week.

The Morocco international worked under Ten Hag at Utrecht and is keen to be reunited with him at Old Trafford, so personal terms won’t be a problem once a fee has been agreed. Fiorentina value him at £30m, despite there being just one year left on his contract.

Departures pending

Eric Bailly is poised to leave for Turkey or Saudi Arabia (Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)

Dean Henderson and Eric Bailly are both free to leave United – but neither have done so yet.

Henderson has not left United for Nottingham Forest yet because of an injury, with The Sun reporting that the thigh he tore in January is still causing him problems. There is a belief that the strenuous medical Forest would put him through could aggravate the problem.

Forest have just announced the signing of goalkeeper Matt Turner from Arsenal, perhaps further putting the move in doubt.

Meanwhile, Bailly is being eyed by Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia – where United alumni Cristiano Ronaldo and Telles play – but Besiktas have emerged as front-runners. The Turkish side want to sign him on a free transfer and give him a three-year deal.