Manchester United are reportedly in talks with Cristiano Ronaldo over a sensational return and are leading the race for Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho, but may be priced out of moves for strikers Harry Kane and Erling Haaland.
The club face a crucial summer transfer window after another Premier League season finishing well behind champions and rivals Manchester City, with several high-profile players earmarked for a costly rebuild.
And according to the Athletic, Tottenham forward Kane and Haaland may be too expensive but potential transfers for Ronaldo and Sancho are more financially viable options.
Manchester United are said to be in contact with Cristiano Ronaldo, 36, over a summer return
United want a proven striker but Erling Haaland (left) and Kane (right) may prove too expensive
They are also ‘in a better place to sign Jadon Sancho after Dortmund reduced the asking price’
Dortmund star Haaland, 20, was said to be United’s top target at the start of the year but when his agent Mino Raiola made it known a fee of £130million was needed – plus agent fees and £500,000 a week in wages – United were priced out of a move.
Outgoing executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward told manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to steer clear of a move to avoid another protracted saga like they experienced with Haaland’s team-mate Sancho last summer, with Dortmund’s Champions League qualification also understood to be a factor in the Norwegian staying.
Despite veteran Edinson Cavani, 34, remaining at Old Trafford for another season, the club are still in the market for an established, first-team striker – with Kane, who recently opened up on his desire to leave, thought to be under consideration.
United do not want to spend £120m on one player but could offer a player plus cash for Kane
Despite Spurs chairman Daniel Levy’s insistence Kane is not for sale, it is believed a deal worth around £120m could sway Tottenham to sell, but that price is reportedly prohibitive for United to spend on one player given their other transfer plans.
A potential solution could be a player plus cash move, with Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial possible makeweights in that sort of deal, but Lingard has several options after a superb West Ham loan and the United hierarchy rate Martial highly.
United, who are known to explore several transfers at once, are also understood to have numerous exciting options to boost their forward line, including a sensational potential return for Ronaldo and finally getting a Sancho deal over the line.
Club chief Ed Woodward has ‘told Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that Haaland and Kane are too pricey’
Juventus forward Ronaldo is regularly linked with moves away, but leaving Turin is understood to be a genuine possibility, especially if Andrea Pirlo’s side do not finish in the Serie A top four and therefore miss out on the Champions League next season.
The irrepressible 36-year-old has scored 36 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions this campaign, and despite his age is still a fine player, with Solskjaer said to have no hesitations about re-signing him if the financial aspect make sense.
The Portuguese would doubtless become the highest earner at the club – albeit probably on a short-term deal – but with one year left on his contract, he would not demand a huge transfer fee and would also provide massive commercial value.
But Solskjaer has several irons in the fire, including a centre-back, right-back and a midfielder
United infamously missed out on Sancho last summer, but with two years left on his contract, Dortmund are said to have dropped their asking price from £110m to between £70-80m, which the Red Devils feel is highly realistic.
A salary package and agent fees were agreed last year – the transfer fee was the only sticking point – and with Sancho’s close friend Marcus Rashford already in the squad, a deal makes sense for all parties.
Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish is also an option in attacking midfield, but Villa are expected to demand £80million or more for the 25-year-old, and Manchester City are also eyeing him up.
United have been impressed by Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish but Man City are also keen
In other developments, United could reportedly sell defender Axel Tuanzebe for £10m or more, with question marks over Donny van de Beek and Dean Henderson, if he expects to spend another season behind David de Gea in the pecking order.
Declan Rice is the No 1 target in defensive midfield, with Raphael Varane, Sevilla’s Jules Kounde and Villarreal’s Pau Torres said to be the top three on the shortlist for a new centre-back to partner Harry Maguire.
Atletico Madrid and England right-back Kieran Trippier, 30, is understood to be highly regarded as an experienced player to add cover and competition for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
