Sridhar Bhamidi
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho admits that he may have to settle for just one more signing this summer.
The Red Devils have signed two players in this transfer window already as Swedish defender Victor Lindelof and Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku have joined the ranks. There is a clutch of players for whom the club is looking to bid but Mourinho believes he may have to settle for one more only.
As reported by The Mirror, Mourinho feels that his side may have space only for one more new face. The problem for him right now is that three of our players are not available – Marcus Rojo, Luke Shaw and Ashley Young.
With Rojo out till December and with the club expected to challenge on all fronts, the squad strength will be tested. There are some exciting academy prospects ready to excel, as we have seen in the tour, with Scott McTominay, Timothy Fosu-Mesah among others.
That, however, is not a solace because we need a strong squad in all quarters. Mourinho started the window keeping his to-do list simple: defender, midfielder, winger and forward. Lindelof and Lukaku signings satisfy the first and the last requirements.
There is interest in Eric Dier and Ivan Perisic for the other two positions and we are eager to take these to a logical conclusion. But as we see it often in the market, whenever Manchester United is interested, the price goes up a notch and sometimes even doubles itself.
Look at the case of Perisic – in normal circumstances, the player should be worth in the region of £25–30million. Inter Milan though are holding out for £48million and may get their wish granted. Same goes with Dier for whom we are ready to pay £60million although Tottenham are reluctant to do business.
There is no point in buying players just for the sake of buying as it will serve no purpose. We may find it slightly demanding with a lesser squad but quality is something we can never compromise on. Better sign just one player than be held for ransom or do some panic buying.
