10 players who could join Man Utd this summer

Cameron Smith

29 Jul 2024 20:41 BST
5 min read

Jarrad Branthwaite, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Matthijs de Ligt, Man Utd — © IMAGO

Manchester United are in the midst of a busy summer transfer window as Sir Jim Ratcliffe looks to stamp his authority at Old Trafford.

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The new minority owner now has full control of football operations at the club and the Red Devils are looking to make numerous moves in the market as they look to close the gap to Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal.

Having endured a disastrous 2023-24 season, Ratcliffe knows that he must oversee something of a transfer revolution if United are to return to the top.

A host of players have been linked with a summer move to Man Utd and FootballTransfers have listed 10 stars who could be on their way to Old Trafford ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.

Jarrad Branthwaite - Everton

Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite was Man Utd’s priority centre-back target for the summer transfer window. However, he could cost up to £70 million, with the Toffees set to demand a large fee for the 21-year-old.

This led to Man Utd looking at other options and signing Leny Yoro for €62m, but Branthwaite remains an option for the position. Man Utd could return for him if they manage to raise funds.

Matthijs de Ligt - Bayern

The current number one alternative to Branthwaite is Bayern Munich star Matthijs de Ligt. Not content with being fourth or fifth-choice in Germany, the Dutchman is on the way out, with the Bavarians ready to cash in on him.

Talks have been opened between Man Utd and Bayern and De Ligt is keen on the move. The Germans want at least €50m.

Noussair Mazraoui - Bayern Munich

Another current Bayern and former Ajax player, Noussair Mazraoui has emerged as Man Utd's top option for the right-back position.

The Moroccan is thought to be available for €15m-€20m, but a move hinges on the Red Devils first managing to offload Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Joshua Kimmich - Bayern

ESPN have reported that Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich is one of Man Utd’s summer targets as they look to sign a replacement for the ageing Casemiro.

Kimmich has been heavily linked with a Bayern exit as the relationship between the club and the player has steadily deteriorated in recent years, which could allow Man Utd to pounce.

Martin Zubimendi - Real Sociedad

One of Arsenal's top targets, the Gunners eventually gave up their pursuit of Martin Zubimendi over the player's ostensible reluctance to leave boyhood club Real Sociedad.

However, this has not stopped Man Utd from being linked with the Basque in their search for a new holding midfielder.

Joao Neves - Benfica

Joao Neves is one of the most highly-regarded youngsters in world football and Bruno Fernandes is a huge admirer.

Man Utd have been targeting a move for nearly a year, but his price has meant that they have thus far refrained from making a move.

However, with the player reportedly close to joining PSG now, Man Utd may have no choice but to firm up their interest.

Manuel Ugarte - PSG

Another potential option for the midfield position is PSG man Manuel Ugarte, who could join if Neves makes the move to the Parc des Princes.

The Uruguay international is coming off a mixed first season in Paris and the French champions are open to a sale.

Talks have been started between the two clubs and Ugarte is said to be open to the move.

Joao Gomes - Wolves

Finally, Joao Gomes has emerged as a candidate to replace Casemiro following his impressive form at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

We understand that a fee in excess of £40m will be needed to persuade Wolves to sell, but Gomes is a Man Utd target and his senior international debut for Brazil has increased talk of a summer move.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin - Everton

Despite having Rasmus Hojlund and new signing Joshua Zirkzee on the books, Man Utd will look at the striker market again before the window shuts if the budget permits it.

Ten Hag is keen to have a proven Premier League goalscorer and Everton man Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been the subject of slightly surprising but very persistent links.

Calvert-Lewin could be available for a relatively affordable sum as Everton need to raise funds and would rather sell him than Branthwaite.

Ivan Toney - Brentford

Ivan Toney is another potential option for the number nine position.

The England international has been linked with an Old Trafford switch for months and he showed at Euro 2024 that he can be a very useful player at the highest level.

However, talk of a switch to Old Trafford has somewhat cooled lately due to Brentford losing new star striker Igor Thiago to injury.