Tottenham hand Manchester United fresh £80m blow in pursuit of Newcastle and Brentford stars
Man Utd will pay the price after they missed out on Champions League qualification.
The good news is Matheus Cunha is set to become the first Manchester United summer signing. The bad news is it might be a while before he is joined by a second at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim has prioritised the addition of attacking reinforcement this summer, with at least two midfielders and a striker wanted. Wolves star Cunha perfectly fits the bill after an impressive campaign that saw him net 15 goals and notch six assists in the Premier League last season.
Amorim not only wants talented individuals, he wants players with the personality and attitude to bring the good times back to Old Trafford. Cunha does not lack self confidence, and he doesn't lack experience either. United want to sign players who have already proven they can cope with the physical demands of the Premier League, given they will only have domestic commitments next season.
United might be set for £80m double transfer blow
It is for those reasons Manchester United also hold an interest in Ipswich striker Liam Delap and Brentford playmaker Bryan Mbeumo. They have both enjoyed impressive individual campaigns in the English top-flight and proved they are ready to make the next steps in their respective careers.
Delap, 22, is viewed as an ideal fit for the system Ruben Amorim has adopted and would be a bargain addition due to a £30 million relegation release clause in his contract. United might not be able to sign another striker who represents better value for money this summer than him.
Mbeumo, 25, would also be a wise addition. At a reported cost of £50 million, he has a proven track record in the Premier League and could fit into the United side as either one of the two attacking midfield options, or even offer cover as a wing-back. With 20 goals and seven assists last season, he is arguably a better candidate than Cunha, though the Brazilian has the maverick streak that has so often been able to shine at Old Trafford.
The bad news is that while United might want to sign them both, they will both have better offers this summer. Chelsea are understood to be the favourites to sign Delap and can offer him Champions League football, while their hand was also strengthened by the fact they won a major trophy this week. It is similar with Mbeumo, who is a target for a Newcastle side that also won a major trophy this season and will play in the Champions League next season.
United not only missed out on an estimated £100 million in revenue when they lost the Europa League final last week, they also missed the chance to enhance their reputation. It might be easy for Amorim to talk the talk and insist the good times will come back, but as an actual pitch to prospective signings, they need to see some evidence to back it up. A 1-0 defeat to ASEAN All-Stars yesterday wasn’t a good start.