Man Utd transfer round-up: Red Devils receive Jadon Sancho boost, Marcos Llorente latest
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is closing in on his top target as the Norwegian looks to strengthen his Manchester United squad this summer
Manchester United are reportedly closing in on a number of top targets as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer seeks to assemble a squad capable of winning the Premier League title.
The Norwegian watched his Red Devils side finish in second behind city rivals Manchester City, some 18 points adrift of the champions.
That means United’s wait to add to their 20 league titles extends to eight years and with no trophies at all last season, the pressure is on Solskjaer to deliver.
Bolstering his squad this summer could be the only way to challenge the likes of Man City and Liverpool, who have shared the last four titles between them.
Solskjaer has spoken publicly about his desire to bring in reinforcements with a centre-back thought to be top of his priorities.
But with concerns over the future of Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba, United may be forced to spend big this summer to replace them.
Here are the latest transfer rumours emanating from Old Trafford...
Dortmund hand United Sancho boost
As his £78m move nears completion, will Jadon Sancho be a success at Manchester United? Have your say in the comments section.
Jadon Sancho is moving ever closer to sealing his protracted move to Manchester United after Borussia Dortmund identified his replacement.
The 21-year-old is set to complete a £77.8million move to Old Trafford later this week after Man United officials broke through in their long-running negotiations with the Bundesliga club.
It is believed Sancho will sign a five-year deal worth £250,000-a-week as he looks set to become Man United’s third-most expensive signing after Paul Pogba and Harry Maguire.
READ MORE: Marcus Rashford gives Jadon Sancho verdict ahead of Man Utd transferREAD MORE: Jadon Sancho's Man Utd wages revealed as he becomes joint-third highest earner at clubThe deal could be pushed through now that Dortmund have identified his replacement, with PSV duo Noni Madueke and Donyell Malen on their shopping list, according to The Telegraph.
Madueke, 19, came through the ranks at Tottenham before opting to head to Germany in 2019 and has impressed with nine goals in 31 appearances in the Eredivisie.
That should pave the way for Sancho to complete his switch to Old Trafford this summer to end their 18-month pursuit of the former Man City academy graduate.
Spain star addresses United links
Marcos Llorente has addressed speculation regarding his future after it emerged Manchester United were monitoring the Spain international.
Llorente has been one of the standout players for Atletico Madrid as they sealed their first LaLiga title since 2013-14.
The 26-year-old earned a place in Luis Enrique’s 24-man squad for Euro 2020 and has featured intermittently, with his versatility allowing him to play at right-back or centre midfield.
Solskjaer is reportedly keen on the former Real Madrid man, as well as his team-mate Saul Niguez, with a £68m bid reportedly in the pipeline, as reported by AS.
But Llorente has now clarified his future is with Los Rojiblancos: ”I have many years left [on my contract].
"My idea is to stay, I'm fine, I'm happy at Atletico Madrid," Llorente told the Spanish publication.
Cavani wants Uruguay star at Old Trafford
Now that Edinson Cavani has committed his future to Manchester United, the Uruguayan striker is keen to bring his international team-mates to Old Trafford.
According to TNT Sports in Argentina, the Red Devils are one of five clubs interested in River Plate star Nicolas de la Cruz, with Fiorentina also eyeing a move.
The 24-year-old is reportedly available for just £17m, making him a cheaper alternative to Declan Rice and Eduardo Camavinga, two players whom have been strongly linked with a summer transfer.
READ MORE: Eduardo Camavinga's transfer 'preference' as Man Utd meet up with his entourage for talksREAD MORE: Edinson Cavani's summer transfer recommendation says a lot about Man Utd plansIt's a drastic change of fortunes for a player that was seemingly "uncomfortable" in England according to his dad Luis when it was unclear if he was going to extend his stay at Old Trafford.
He threw his son's future in doubt when he claimed his son wanted out of England and wants to be "close to his family" in his native Uruguay.
But now it seems Cavani is settled in Manchester and if his recommendation proves to be a sound one, United could reap the benefits by grabbing a bargain.
READ MORE: Man Utd 'battling Leicester' for 16-year-old prodigy as contract clause emergesREAD MORE: Man Utd's sudden change of transfer approach shows Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has learnt lesson