Gossip: Man Utd set for ‘transfer summit’ – three out, four in

Editor F365
Manchester United's Anthony Martial (left) and West Ham United's Fabian Balbuena battle for the ball

Solskjaer to earn a new DNA-based Man Utd deal ahead of the ‘transfer summit’…

 

DNA DEAL
With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s current three-year Manchester United contract set to enter its final year later this month he’s set to land a ‘huge pay increase’ in a bumper new deal at Old Trafford.

After the new technical posts were announced for Darren Fletcher and John Murtough – decisions Solskjaer was reportedly involved in – it’s the United manager’s turn for a change of contract.

Ed Woodward said of Solskjaer earlier this month: “The progress made by Ole and the players this season is clear and is adding to the optimism we feel about the future on and off the pitch.”

The Mirror claims the Norwegian’s reward ‘will be a healthy upgrade on his £7 million-a-year salary’, with Woodward valuing ‘restoration of the club’s DNA’ at £9million-a-year.


F365 Says: Murtough deserves chance in the Man Utd spotlight


 

TRANSFER SUMMIT
With Murtough and Fletcher now in place and Solskjaer assured of his long-term future at the club, the technical team are set to hold a ‘transfer summit’ this week.

The Sun claim the trio – presumably along with Woodward and Matt Judge – will attempt to ‘nail down their targets for the summer’.

United have reportedly identified four key positions that need strengthening to close the gap on runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City.

Top of the list is said to be a striker. That may not be Erling Haaland, Edinson Cavani looks unlikely to be offered a new deal and the report claims the future of Anthony Martial will be discussed at length in the meeting.

A new central midfielder is also high on their list of targets with Declan Rice the name touted by the report, which also claims the powers that be are also looking for backup or competition for Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back.

The goalkeeping position will be the other hot topic in the summit. Sergio Romero will definitely be on his way out but the key decision to be made is between Dean Henderson and David de Gea.

The report suggests Judge will need to time to find an appropriate suitor for De Gea in particular should they wish to get him off their books as ‘United would not want to keep David De Gea only as back-up if he is drawing wages of £350,000-a-week’.

 

HENDERSON COMPETITION
Should United get rid of De Gea, they might opt for a new first choice rather than handing the gloves to ‘inexperienced’ Henderson.

That’s according to the Daily Star, who claim United will move for Nick Pope – ‘the perfect fit to compete with fellow-Three Lions international Henderson for the jersey.’

Not sure that would go down brilliantly with Henderson, who despite the reservations of others is absolutely certain he should be No.1 at Old Trafford.

Burnley valued Pope at £50million when Chelsea were sniffing around last summer and should that be a tad too expensive United have also earmarked Brighton’s Spanish stopper Robert Sanchez, 23, as an alternative.