Manchester United are looking to spend big in the summer with Jose Mourinho all set to receive a huge summer kitty to spend from. Reports have emerged that the club will provide the manager with £200 million to improve the squad. A number of targets have been linked with Manchester United with some reports appropriate while the others being absurd. Let us look at the five realistic and much-needed players which Jose Mourinho must sign in order to challenge for the title next season:
Romelu Lukaku
Whether or not Zlatan Ibrahimovic signs a one-year extension, Manchester United are going to sign a new striker who can share the workload with the Swede. Though many have linked Antoine Griezmann with a move to Old Trafford, the Frenchman is being offered a new deal at Atletico Madrid and won’t leave without Champions League football. This makes Lukaku a sensible target for United with the Belgian hotshot ready for a move to a big club. He is expected to cost around £65 million with his agent Mino Raiola expected to help in completing the deal soon.
Benjamin Mendy
The fullback has been on a brilliant run this season which has catapulted AS Monaco back into the reckoning. Almost all of the top Premier League clubs are interested in the 22-year-old left back. Jose Mourinho has lost confidence in Luke Shaw which means the youngster will be offloaded in the summer. United need a left back and they won’t do better business this summer than signing the exciting 22-year-old Mendy. He is expected to be sold in the region of £20-25 million.
Tiemoue Bakayoko
Again a Monaco player makes the list as the holding midfielder has been instrumental in Monaco’s success in the league and in Europe. He is also being courted by a number of big clubs but Manchester United hold the strings for his signature. The Red Devils have scouted him many times this campaign and hope to sign him for close to £25 million.
Victor Lindelof
After failing to land their target in January, United are expected to test Benfica’s resolve yet again for their prized defender. Though Lindelof has signed a new deal, the club are eager to pay his release clause which is close to £40 million to secure his services. United need a long term partner for Eric Bailly as Jose Mourinho feels that Lindelof can be the missing piece in his side’s back line.
Douglas Costa
The Brazilian has reportedly expressed his frustration about his limited playing time this season under Carlo Ancelotti. The likes of Kingsley Coman and Franck Ribery have played ahead of him this season as the talented winger has been left to rue with a place on the bench. Manchester United have lacked that creative spark at times which Costa can regenerate in the squad. With the player wanting a move, Bayern Munich would be ready to sell him for close to £40 million.
