Defence deficient Manchester United is targetting Dutchman Denzel Dumfries as the manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ups his game for a new right-back which has been exposed for some time.
Manchester United scouts are pushing a move for PSV Eindhoven dazzler Dumfries, who was in the Holland side that beat England in the Nations League semi-finals.
The 23-year-old Dumfries is available for around £25million and is also in the “rising star” category Solskjaer is eyeing as he works on making is side as youthful as he can in anticipation for the future as well as going for not very expensive players.
United are poised to bid for Dumfries after being quoted high prices for their other main targets, including Paris Saint-Germain’s Thomas Meunier and Crystal Palace flier Aaron Wan-Bissaka as well as Leicester’s centre-back, Harry Maguire who is almost being set free following an agreement he went into with the club owner before his death.
Differently, United may be forced to pay their English forward Marcus Rashford £350,000 a week to fend off Real Madrid and Barcelona who have shown interest in the star but the striker is negotiating with Old Trafford bosses as he enters the final 12 months of his contract.
The 21-year-old Rashford has expressed his keenness to stay, having established himself as the No 1 striker under Solskjaer which would make it hard for him to move following the uncertainties he might face afterwards if he does move.
The Chilean’s mega-deal has skewed the pay structure at the club, with players now demanding huge hikes to reflect their status.
And Rashford’s hand is made stronger by the fact that over the last 12 months both Real and Barca have made their intentions clear.
Madrid invited Rashford’s brothers, who are also his advisors, to a game while Nou Camp chiefs told them, boss, Ernesto Valverde is a huge fan of the England star.