Pricing up Man Utd's attacking transfer targets ahead of the summer window

FT Desk

• 5 Mar 2022 05:09 CST
• 6 min read

Manchester United may desperately need to replace Harry Maguire and finally sign a competent central midfielder this summer, but it’s looking increasingly likely that they’ll need to buy another winger too.

Jesse Lingard is set to leave the club, Anthony Martial will be pushing for a similar conclusion to his time at Old Trafford and as a result Ralf Rangnick - or the man that replaces him - will have very few options to pick from next season.

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However, fortunately for Man Utd they tend to have more money in the bank than most clubs and if they’re willing to part with some of their transfer budget, there are some exciting wingers who could do a job for the Red Devils.

Christopher Nkunku - RB Leipzig

When it comes to in-form players, Man Utd would struggle to do better than RB Leipzig winger Christopher Nkunku this summer. The French talent is currently sitting on 25 goals and 13 assists for the Bundesliga giants and would be an immediate improvement on what the Old Trafford side have to hand.

However, with such form also comes a bump in his value. The 24-year-old talent has a contract with RB Leipzig until 2024 and is currently valued at €49 million. However, according to German newspaper Bild, the Bundesliga side could hold out for as much as €75m this summer. Especially if a club the size of Man Utd comes calling.

Antony - Ajax

Another young winger that could find himself at Old Trafford next season is Ajax winger Antony, who remains one of European football’s most exciting prospects, following a season with the Dutch giants that has so far seen him clock 11 goals and nine assists in just 29 games.

The 22-year-old forward has been linked with a number of clubs - most specifically Bayern Munich - so Man Utd would perhaps have to enter a bidding war for Antony’s signature this summer. But with a value that currently stands at €37m, the player could potentially be signed for less than €50m before the start of next season.

Arnaut Danjuma - Villarreal

Another prospect that Man Utd fans may be well aware of is Arnaut Danjuma who not only made his name playing in the Championship for Bournemouth but has also faced the club twice in the Champions League this season.

Indeed, Danjuma has been a revelation since he made the move to Villarreall last summer, having bagged 12 goals and four assists in 23 games for the Spanish club. The Dutch forward has, therefore, been linked with a return to England but Villarreal would demand a substantial increase on the €23.5m they spent on the forward last summer, which could push Danjuma’s value up towards €50m.