Manchester United’s opening bid for Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount indicates their intention to bolster their squad, but there is a sense that more significant moves are required from a club aspiring to compete for the Premier League title under manager Erik Ten Hag.
The uncertainty surrounding the ongoing takeover situation has created challenges for United’s transfer plans, and it appears that they could potentially miss out on securing three crucial targets during the summer window.
1. Moises Caicedo- Brighton and Hove Albion
The club has been monitoring the Ecuadorian player since his time at Independiente del Valle. Although United came close to signing him in 2021, they were ultimately beaten by Brighton in the race for his signature.
The 21-year-old midfielder, who was originally signed by Brighton for a mere £5 million, is now attracting interest from top clubs, with Arsenal recently dropping out of the race.
Both Chelsea and Manchester United are still in contention for his signature, but the Blues appears to be the front-runner.
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Unlike United, the West Londoners do not face any ownership or financial complications. Although they need to balance their books by June 30, they are still actively pursuing the player.
Caicedo’s versatility as a defensive or central midfielder, and even as a right-back if needed, makes him an appealing prospect for the Red Devils. However, it seems that United has given Chelsea a clear path to sign the talented South American.
2. Kim Min-jae- Napoli
Manchester United’s pursuit of Kim Min-jae has faced a new challenge as Bayern Munich has entered the race for the defender.
The Bundesliga Champions has already initiated contact with the player and his agent, and they have reached an agreement on personal terms. Currently, negotiations regarding agent fees are underway.
The German giants will have to wait until July 1 when Min-jae’s release clause of £51 million becomes active before they can officially sign the player. However, recent reports suggest that Bayern is now in an advantageous position to secure his services.
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It has been stated that signing a center-back is not the club’s top priority at the moment as they have a plan B ready in case they miss out on him.
The Red Devils face the risk of losing the South Korean to Bayern, much to the disappointment of manager Erik ten Hag, who admires the player’s passing and defensive abilities.
3. Harry Kane- Tottenham Hotspur
Regarding Harry Kane, despite his impressive performance in the Premier League with 30 goals, Manchester United seems unlikely to secure a deal for the striker due to the high valuation placed on the 29-year-old by Tottenham Hotspur.
Spurs may consider selling Kane for £100 million, but United is reluctant to meet that price, deeming it unrealistic.
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Given their limited pre-sales budget, United is unable to go beyond a certain point in terms of transfer fees, as accepted by Ten Hag. As a result, this practically eliminates the possibility of pursuing Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.
