- Manchester United have been linked with a number of acquisitions this summer
- However failure to qualify for Europe has handed United a bit of a financial blow
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Manchester United’s summer planning certainly took a hit when they missed out on Champions League football – and indeed any European competition for that matter – which seems to have triggered a creative approach to transfers this summer.
The Red Devils have already secured the services of Matheus Cunha, and submitted a second bid for Bryan Mbeumo beyond the £60million mark, which will likely stretch the coffers to their limit.
Player sales are considered to be a matter of when rather than if at this stage, with numerous figures linked with exits as Ruben Amorim looks to take hold of the opportunity to further shape his side in his image.
Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho have all been linked with exits, the latter two having spent time on loan last term.
Additionally, Antony spent time with Real Betis in the second half of the season, while Bruno Fernandes was subject of a huge approach from the Saudi Pro League, though he elected to stay and fight on at United.
But with players needed to come in and strengthen what United have got, rumours have swirled for days around swap deals for individual players in order for the Premier League side to recruit without having to spend a penny.
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Garnacho has been linked with Chelsea, among other teams such as Napoli, after failing out of favour with Amorim, though there are thought to be concerns with his conduct and behaviour.
It was widely reported that he had been informed by Amorim to find a new club after his outburst in the wake of the Europa League final, and his reaction online to being dropped for the game.
The Argentina winger had been unhappy to be left on the bench for more than 70 minutes of the final, while his brother Roberto had accused Amorim of ‘throwing him under the bus’ in Bilbao.
Then again he courted controversy this week by uploading a picture of himself wearing an Aston Villa shirt bearing Marcus Rashford’s name on the back while holidaying.
Mail Sport’s Kieran Gill has already reported that United have an interest in Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku, though he is not viewed as an outright target, but a deal for Garnacho could see the French forward go in the opposite direction.
Nkunku would bolster United’s options going forward, however he is not quite the No 9 that the side need, and has yet to truly prove himself an elite goalscorer in the Premier League just yet.
Equally, a deal to send one of the club’s most talented youngsters to a rival may not go down so well with the fanbase.
Another potential swap that has been reported is one that would see Rashford trade Old Trafford for the Nou Camp.
Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen would go the other way if reports are to be believed, with goalkeeper another area wherein Amorim is keen to see improvements in the transfer market.
The German goalkeeper has fallen out of favour under Hansi Flick, according to reports, and suffered a long-term injury last season, and would likely represent an upgrade on Andre Onana.
Whether or not he would trade Barcelona, who have just won the league and cup double and are in the Champions League where he can fight for his place back, for a United side finishing 15th last term, is another matter.
Sancho however has been linked with a number of clubs, and numerous possible swap deals this summer.
Juventus, according to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, are looking to swap both Dusan Vlahovic and former Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Costa for the England international.
Sancho was on loan at Chelsea last season, but despite scoring in the Conference League final was largely uninspiring, and the Blues in fact paid a fee to not sign him permanently.
Sancho, like Vlahovic, has only one year left on his contract, and new Juventus general manager Damien Comolli is thought to believe that the conditions for any move for Sancho will have changed from last summer.
Vlahovic would represent a clear upgrade on Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee in terms of goals, though having arrived at Juve for £62m, it would be a bit of a blow to the Old Lady to see him go as part of a swap.
Similarly, Luiz joined the club only last summer for £42.5m only to have a nightmare first campaign with the Bianconeri, with only three league starts.
Despite an underwhelming season, though, Sancho would appear spoilt for choice, with another report suggesting Aston Villa could trade in England star Ollie Watkins for the forward.
Spanish outlet Fichajes have claimed that United are keen on Watkins, though it seems a remote option, while Villa are thought to have shown an interest in the former Borussia Dortmund forward earlier this month.
There have been other reports of outgoings from Old Trafford, including a Saudi switch for Casemiro, however one of the issues of having failed to impress all season, is that your players’ value tends to take a bit of a hit, too.
