It is set to be a big summer for Manchester United in the transfer window.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Red Devils are aiming to end the season with silverware in the FA Cup and the Europa League.
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A trophy would represent progress under Solskjaer, who is only in his second full season in charge of United.
The club are already making steps behind the scenes with the appointments of Darren Fletcher as technical director and John Murtough as football director.
It has been claimed that Solskjaer will try to raise as much as £60million through player sales with Jesse Lingard, Phil Jones and Diogo Dalot surplus to requirements at Old Trafford.
Sergio Romero and Juan Mata, who are both on big wages, are out of contract at the end of the season, too.
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But United could trigger a 12-month extension clause in Mata’s contract to ensure he does not leave for free.
Solskjaer is believed to be targeting three positions – a central defender, a right-back and a striker – to take United on to the next level and transform them into serious title challengers.
While United are well poised to finish second in the Premier League this season, they’ve never looked like being a threat to the runaway leaders Man City.
That could change next season if they get their recruitment right.
Here, we take a look at three players who could take Manchester United to the next level…
Striker – Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund)
United need a striker – and there is no one better than Haaland right now.
The 20-year-old has been a revelation since arriving at Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg last year.
He has scored 32 goals in 35 Bundesliga matches and needed just 14 appearances to become the quickest player to score 20 goals in the Champions League.
United have often struggled to break teams down or kill games off with first-choice striker Anthony Martial scoring just four league goals this season.
The Manchester Evening News claim Solskjaer and Murtough have prioritised the signing of Haaland this summer.
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The Norway striker could cost in excess of £100m, before his £55m release clause is activated in 2022.
Solskjaer used to manage Haaland at Molde and remained coy when asked about United’s transfer links to his former player last month.
He said: “I think when you have had kids and players through as a coach, you follow them, of course, and I keep in touch with Erling.
“So it’s great to see him become the player he has become and I know he’ll work to improve all the time.
“He’s a Dortmund player. We just wish him well there and then let’s see what life will bring later on.”
Haaland would be a statement signing and his addition would instantly make United more feared. It could be a game-changer for the club.
Right-back – Max Aarons (Norwich)
Not quite as eye-catching as Haaland, but Manchester United are in desperate need of cover for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
The 23-year-old has almost been an ever-present for United since joining for £50m from Crystal Palace in 2019.
With Dalot expected to leave on a permanent basis this summer and Brandon Williams still developing his game, a new right-back appears to be needed to push Wan-Bissaka and give him some time to rest too.
Aarons has been linked with big-money moves to United, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Everton in recent months.
Barcelona even had a £20m bid for Aarons rejected by Norwich last summer as the Canaries kept their best players in an attempt to make an immediate return to the Premier League.
And Daniel Farke’s are 10 points clear at the top of the Championship table after 36 games.
Norwich are reportedly holding out for a £35m bid for Aarons, whose contract expires in 2024.
The arrival of left-back Alex Telles improved Luke Shaw’s game and it is hoped Aarons could have a similar effect on Wan-Bissaka.
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Centre-back – Ben White (Brighton)
Manchester United have been linked with a host of top centre-halves over the past 18 months.
Red Devils captain Harry Maguire has been one of the first names on the team sheet alongside Victor Lindelof, who is sometimes rotated for Eric Bailly.
On the weekend, reports broke claiming Maguire has urged Old Trafford chiefs to sign Brighton star White this summer.
White has missed just one of the Seagulls’ 28 Premier League matches in a breakthrough season.
He was subjected to multiple bids from Leeds after a successful loan spell at Elland Road in the 2019/20 campaign and was also wanted by Liverpool but remained at the Amex Stadium.
However, Brighton could find it hard to turn down a mega bid from United for White, who signed a new four-year deal last September, especially if they are relegated from the Premier League.
White is also able to play as a full-back or defensive midfielder, so his versatile could be invaluable for Solskjaer.
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How Manchester United could look next season
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