The transfer window has now been open for a week and Manchester United seem to be beginning to make moves.
While Manchester United aren’t imminently signing anyone right now, the top targets for the club this summer seem fairly defined, and now movements are being made.
Centre-back, left-back, midfield and striker are the four positions that appear to be being prioritised with definitive targets in each.
In terms of a defender, Jarrad Branthwaite is target number one, but he’s proving too expensive to sign. Therefore focus is expected to shift with a few other options on the table.
Meanwhile, the striker position looks increasingly likely to be where the first addition is made, with multiple names mentioned including Jonathan David.
Now, Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth has provided updates on two of United’s top targets.
Manchester United expected to meet release clause for Joshua Zirkzee
Speaking on Sky Sports on Friday, United correspondent Dharmesh Shesh had an update on the clubs’ race to sign Joshua Zirkzee.
“Interesting developments because discussions are ongoing at Manchester United about the Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee, who is of course with the Netherlands squad at Euro 2024.
“And it’s my information now that Manchester United are expected to meet the release clause in Zirkzee’s contract which is believed to be around €40 million, so that’s around £34m but that doesn’t necessarily immediately mean Zirkzee will become a Manchester United player.
“It will just give Manchester United the right to talk to the player, it will then be up to the player and his representatives whether they want to talk to Manchester United.”
Dharmesh Sheth then added that Zirkzee is in high demand, with Arsenal and AC Milan also interested – although have recently been instead linked to Memphis Depay.
So United have competition for his signature but also has other options in the event Zirkzee doesn’t materialise.
He adds that any forward won’t be signed to replace Rasmus Hojlund, but rather to compliment him.
United approach to sign Leny Yoro
Zirkzee wasn’t the only name that Sky Sports had an update over as Shesh also took to X with news about Lille’s Leny Yoro.
He explains that initial contact has now been made with Lille over potentially signing Yoro, as the £51m valued French teenager is seen as one of the better options to sign in defence as there is no indication that Everton will lessen their Branthwaite demands.
Yoro has long been linked with United however it is thought he’d prefer a move to Real Madrid if possible, while Liverpool are also interested.
Yoro is arguably the next best young defender emerging from Europe and signing him would be the perfect replacement for Raphael Varane.