MANCHESTER United fans are celebrating this week after the club finally got the chequebook out to complete the £39million transfer of Donny van de Beek.
The Dutch midfielder, 23, is the first signing of what has been a frustrating summer for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with his endless pursuit of Jadon Sancho so far failing to deliver.
Van de Beek has completed his £39m move to United
A centre-back is still high on the wanted list, with Dayot Upamecano and Kalidou Koulibaly among the top targets.
Another attacking midfielder or forward would also be welcome but Solskjaer knows he must balance the books by clearing some dead wood out of Old Trafford first.
So who is on the Norwegian’s chopping block as he looks to raise some cash – and how much can he expect for them?
JESSE LINGARD – VALUE £15M
ACADEMY-PRODUCT Lingard still managed 25 starts among his 40 appearances last season and chipped in with four goals – including two during Operation Restart.
But despite his late flurry, the 28-year-old attacking midfielder, who has played close to 300 games for United, will have been hit harder than most by Van de Beek’s arrival.
The 24-cap England international’s £75,000-a-week deal runs out in 2022.
And with reported interest from Newcastle and Roma, it’s possible he won’t see that through if United can get around £15m for him.
Lingard could be waving goodbye to Man UtdCredit: Getty Images – Getty
ANDREAS PEREIRA – £15M
IS he an attacking midfielder, is he a holding midfielder, is he going to be at Old Trafford next year? The answer to all three questions remains unclear.
But it would be no real surprise if Pereira, who like fellow academy product Lingard played 40 times last year, follows him out the door.
Like Lingard, Solskjaer would love to have him around next year but can’t guarantee him game time – and needs cash from somewhere.
Down the pecking order below even fellow bit-part players Fred, Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic, the 24-year-old Brazilian’s search for first-team football means he will need to look elsewhere.
Benfica and former loan club Valencia are said to be keeping an eye on him, and an offer of around £15m could be enough to prise him away.
Solskjaer would like to keep Pereira and Lingard but can’t guarantee game time and may have to cash inCredit: AFP or licensors
CHRIS SMALLING – £20M
THIS seems the most straightforward of the possible exit deals with the 30-year centre-back wanting away and being in demand.
‘Smalldini’ hoped to make last season’s brilliant loan spell with Roma permanent and so did the Italians.
United appear to be getting used to life without him and the pursuit of new centre backs suggest they are happy to let the man they signed for Fulham for £7m in 2010 go.
If Roma cough up £20m it appears they can have him – and United could make a rare profit.
‘Smalldini’ starred at Roma last season and could be back there if they can find £20mCredit: Getty Images – Getty
PHIL JONES – £8M
THE face of football pocketed a tidy £18,333 per minute for the time he played last season and even his biggest fan might agree he’s done well there.
Eyebrows were raised when he was given a new £75,000-a-week contract last year that ties him to the club until 2023 at least.
With the pursuit of a new centre-back seemingly pushing him down the pecking order even further, you wouldn’t bet on him still being in Manchester then.
But for an injury-plagued 28-year-old who’s only played 43 Premier League games in the last three years, it’s unlikely United will recoup the £17m they paid Blackburn for him in 2011.
West Ham were said to be keen on offering him a Premier League lifeline while a reunion with Smalling in Rome has also been mooted for a player now valued at around £8m.
David Moyes could have his eye on Phil Jones, who may be on his way out of UnitedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
DIEGO DALOT – £10M
A BIG hope when Jose Mourinho brought him in from Porto for £19.8m in 2018, his career has nose-dived since.
A string of injuries and the impressive debut season of Aaron Wan-Bissaka have seen his chances limited, with little sign they’ll improve.
At the age of just 21 and with undoubted potential, he may take up the escape route offered by Everton, who are willing to pay £10m for the Portuguese.
Any hope of Dalot establishing himself in United’s starting XI seems a bit of a stretchCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
ERIC BAILLY – £15M
UNITED’S best centre half in some fans’ eyes, his four years at the club since his £35m move from Villareal have been beset by injuries and resulted in just 84 appearances.
The 26-year-old Ivorian has pace to burn and undoubted potential and will not be happy with reports he will have another centre back to compete with next season.
If Solskjaer wants to raise some decent cash the £15m-rated defender, whose contract runs out in 2022, could be one of the men to go.
The club even reportedly offered him to AC Milan – but they weren’t interested.
Bailly’s United career has been wrecked by injuries Credit: EPA
JUAN MATA – £9M
THE Spaniard only signed a new two-year deal last summer but could be another to suffer as a result of Van de Beek’s arrival.
He made 37 appearances last term and although he hasn’t relied on pace for years, at 32 years of age, his game time is expected to dwindle further this year.
United have got six years’ service from the £40m they paid Chelsea for him in 2014, and could be happy to cash in now.
Mata himself is said to have thrown the door open to a move to Turkish giants Fenerbahce, and any bid close to £10m could see the popular midfielder off to Istanbul.
Is Mata on his way out of United after six years?Credit: Getty Images – Getty
MARCOS ROJO – £7M
THE Argentine centre-half is back at Old Trafford after a six-month loan spell with Estudiantes in his homeland.
He made no secret of how much he was enjoying his time back there and if United could get the £7m he is valued at on transfermarkt they would probably take it.
A move by Everton last summer failed to materialise, much to his anger.
But with the 30-year-old plummeting down the pecking order, it would suit both parties if he didn’t waste time trying to add to the 122 games he has played for United since joining in 2014.
Rojo could be happy to see the back of Old Trafford after failing to clinch a move to Everton last yearCredit: Getty – Contributor
SERGIO ROMERO – £7m
ROMERO could follow countryman Rojo out the door this summer after Dean Henderson returned from his Sheffield United loan spell and signed a £120,000-a-week deal.
United are said to have offered the 33-year-old stopper as a makeweight in a deal for Jack Grealish, making up £10m of a much bigger overall fee.
His contract runs out next summer and he is said to be unhappy at how Henderson’s arrival and the effect it will have on him has been handled.
Everton and Chelsea are said to be interested in a keeper who knows he will be playing third fiddle if he stays at Old Trafford.
Unless United are planning on cashing in on De Gea…
Romero is another who could be waving goodbye very soonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Manchester United star Jesse Lingard shows off ripped physique
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
