Man Utd to boost struggling squad by working transfer market on cheaper deals… but will not rule out mega-money move if right player comes up
Solskjaer is determined to rebuild the club without the marquee transfers during their slump since Fergie's retirement
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER wants to put an end to Manchester United’s mega-money signings - but won't rule out a monster fee if the right player comes along.
The United boss is determined to rebuild the club WITHOUT the marquee transfers during their slump since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.
Solskjaer will be active in the market this summer but will mainly target younger players with potential to develop instead of the finished article.
That will mean a stop to breaking the Premier League transfer record, which they did three years ago when they signed Paul Pogba for £89million - unless the perfect opportunity presents itself.
The £59.7m fee for Angel Di Maria was the record paid by a British club when the Argentina winger arrived in 2014, before leaving a year later.
And Romelu Lukaku’s move from Everton for £75m is still joint-second place in the list of biggest Premier League buys.
But Solskjaer’s first full season is set to look more like Mauricio Pochettino’s reign at Tottenham where he has invested in excellent young players.
The Spurs manager has reached the Champions League semi-final without signing a player in two transfer windows.
YOUNG GUNS
The biggest fee was a £42m deal for Davinson Sanchez, who was 21 when he left Ajax.
United’s big signings have been at the peak of their careers but, according to Old Trafford sources, Solskjaer is now looking at players in their early-20s.
He wants a right-back and a right-winger as a priority when he targets arrivals this summer.
Jose Mourinho wanted a centre-back during his time at the club but Solskjaer will consider sticking with his current players in that position.
Another marquee signing Anthony Martial - the most expensive teenager when he signed for £36m in 2015 - could be a high-profile departure
Paris Saint-Germain are interested in him despite the France winger only recently signing a new contract.
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Ander Herrera is already heading to PSG on a free transfer, while Romelu Lukaku’s agent has suggested he could consider his future.
United legend Gary Neville says the character of Solskjaer’s squad needs to change to get back into the top four.
“As a group of players, I don’t like them,” said Neville on Sky Sports. “The first thing they have to do is cleanse the dressing room.”
Pogba would consider a move to Real Madrid but United will not make it easy for the Spanish giants to land their record buy.