Manchester United summer watch list

• Manchester United is anticipated to be looking for star signings this summer with top players on the watchlist
• We look at some of the players

Manchester United is anticipated to be looking for star signings this summer with top players on the watchlist.

The Red Devils are in a good position to return to the Champions League for the 2023–24 season as they are now third in the Premier League standings, and the Europa League gives the team another route to the continent’s premier competition in the following season.

We look at some of the players.

Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund)

Jude Bellingham celebrates for England. PHOTO/FIFA

Although Dortmund is still hoping to persuade the England international to sign a new agreement, it seems likely that he will leave the club this summer in a deal for more than £100 million.

The 19-year-old has been in outstanding form for BVB this season, making 30 appearances across all competitions, contributing six assists and scoring 10 goals while also serving as the club’s captain.

Man United are now lower on the Englishman’s priority list, but if they could manage to get him before the 2023–24 season, they might have a player who can dominate in central midfield at Old Trafford for the ensuing years.

Jurrien Timber (Ajax)

With Erik ten Hag’s appointment as head coach last summer, Jurrien Timber was extensively connected with a move to Old Trafford, but he ultimately chose to sign a new contract in Amsterdam.

This season, the 21-year-old has once again been a key member of the Dutch champion team, appearing on 33 occasions across all competitions and producing one goal and two assists.

The Netherlands international is reportedly a major favourite of Ten Hag. He can also play right back, which might be useful if Aaron Wan-Bissaka departs Old Trafford this season.

Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona)

Frenkie de Jong is a target of Manchester United and Chelsea. Photo/ TEAMtalk.

After wasting much of the previous summer trying in vain to sign Frenkie de Jong, Man United won’t try again unless they are certain that a deal is actually feasible.

When it comes to Ten Hag’s shortlist for the middle of the field, De Jong is seen to be at the top, and there is once more discussion about the Dutch international’s future at Camp Nou.

He has made 30 appearances for Barcelona this season, contributing two goals and one assist while doing so. His contract has three more years to run.

A deal would need De Jong to state that he is interested in leaving, and there is a potential that Man United’s performance this year has caused him to reconsider moving to Old Trafford.

Kim Min-Jae (Napoli)

Kim Min-Jae. Photo by CaughtOffSide

Kim Min-Jae, who has been in excellent form for Napoli throughout the 2022–23 season, is another player who is thought to be on Man United’s defensive wishlist. In 31 games, he has scored twice and registered one assist.

The Japanese international has two goals and one assist in 23 Serie A games this season, with Napoli now leading the league by 18 points.

The 26-year-old has participated seven times in the Champions League this season as the Italian squad strives to advance to the competition’s quarterfinals.

According to a recent source, Man United approached the defender’s agents to inquire about the prospect of signing him this summer; his current release clause is set at €50 million (£44.1 million).

But, the Red Devils’ ambitions for Victor Osimhen, another Napoli player who has been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford, may determine if they make a real bid to recruit Kim this summer.

Edson Alvarez (Ajax)

Ten Hag is familiar with Edson Alvarez because of their time spent together at Ajax, and the 25-year-old was strongly associated with Chelsea during the summer transfer window.

The Mexican international was once more mentioned as a potential Stamford Bridge transfer in January, but he will play out the season in Amsterdam first.

Alvarez is certainly the most affordable choice on our list, but he has once again been a key member of the Ajax team this season, appearing 31 times across all competitions and contributing two goals and two assists.

The fact that the Mexican can also play in the midst of the defence may make him an even more alluring prospect for Manchester United given that he is mostly a defensive midfielder.

It was reported during the close of last year that Ten Hag wanted to reunite with Alvarez, who has been with Ajax since 2019 and has played 134 times for the Dutch champions across all competitions.