Manchester United's two new arrivals, one key departure and reignited pursuit for special midfielder

Manchester United's two new arrivals, one key departure and reignited pursuit for special midfielder

Eric Munene 17:00 - 13.08.2024

A look a Manchester United's transfer activity so far this summer.

Manchester United’s summer transfer activity has intensified as the club gears up for the new Premier League season.

Over the weekend, Manchester United made significant strides by agreeing to sign Bayern Munich's defensive duo, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, for a combined £51.5 million.

The addition of these players aims to buff up United’s defence following a challenging previous season.

Matthijs de Ligt, the highly-rated Dutch center-back, joins from Bayern Munich after a successful stint in the Bundesliga where he showcased his defensive prowess and leadership qualities.

Similarly, Noussair Mazraoui, who will replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka, known for his versatility and solid performances will add depth to both the right-back and left-back positions.

Their arrivals are seen as strategic moves to strengthen a defence that has been under scrutiny for inconsistency.

De Light and Leny Yoro will be expected to fill injured Harry Maguire's shoes and provide support for Johnny Evans.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka's departure

In tandem with these arrivals, Aaron Wan-Bissaka is set to depart Old Trafford. The English right-back, who has been a regular in the Manchester United line-up, is undergoing a medical with West Ham United ahead of a £15 million transfer.

Wan-Bissaka’s exit comes as part of United’s strategy to revamp their squad, with Mazraoui expected to fill the void left by Wan-Bissaka’s departure.

The move also aligns with United’s broader goal of balancing their squad and financial considerations.

The Frenkie de Jong transfer Saga: Barcelona's Stance

The pursuit of Frenkie de Jong by Manchester United has re-emerged as a significant storyline this summer.

Reports from Nacional indicate that United has recently submitted a €50 million (£42.9 million) bid for the Barcelona midfielder.

However, Barcelona has rejected this offer, despite ongoing financial challenges that have prompted them to consider offers for the Dutch international.

De Jong’s potential move to Manchester United has been a subject of speculation since Erik ten Hag’s appointment as manager.

The midfielder was a key target in 2022, but a deal did not materialize. With Barcelona’s current financial issues, they remain open to selling De Jong, but the club is reportedly holding out for a higher transfer fee to reflect his value.

Negotiations may continue, with both clubs needing to align on a valuation that satisfies Barcelona's financial demands while meeting United's budgetary constraints.