Pranav Nair
Manchester United set to sell five players to raise transfer funds
According to ESPN, Ed Woodward is keen to sell five Manchester United stars in the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils have had a rather underwhelming window so far. Dutch international Donny van de Beek remains the club’s only senior signing of the summer.
With the October 5 deadline approaching, United have less than a month to get their transfer business done.
According to the report, the club is willing to listen to offers for Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo, Andreas Pereira and Sergio Romero.
While there are parties interested in the quintet, they have been put off by the players’ high wages. The report goes on to add that the players will need to accept pay cuts to secure exits. An alternative will see them negotiate a pay-off for the time left on their contracts.
Jones has attracted interest from a number of clubs but none of them has made a concrete offer yet. Smalling, on the other hand, is keen to return to Roma, for whom he impressed on loan.
Romero is one of the best backup keepers in the league. With Dean Henderson’s return, the Argentine is now the third choice keeper at the club. He has attracted attention from Aston Villa, Everton, Leeds United and Chelsea.
Pereira and Rojo meanwhile have a number of foreign suitors. While Benfica and Valencia are keen on the former, Argentine giants Boca Juniors are keen on the latter.
United’s interest in securing a left-sided center-back has stalled. This has seen the likes of Smalling and Rojo rekindle hopes of retaining their United future.
More Manchester United News
- Alex Telles agent flies out to England to work out Manchester United transfer
- Manchester United yet to respond to Roma’s bid for Chris Smalling
- Manchester United chose to pursue Jadon Sancho instead of Kai Havertz
United remain hopeful of signing Sancho ahead of the transfer deadline. (h/t Express)
But the asking price proves to be a sticking point with Borussia Dortmund standing firm at a massive £108million.
