There are five stars Manchester United are set to target this summer if they get Champions League qualification, with Rúben Amorim needing major signings.
Rúben Amorim is planning to bring in a major haul of new signings to his Manchester United this summer, but a lot of his plans hinge on the club securing Champions League qualification.
Multitple reports have stated that, if United are able to qualify for the Champions League via winning the Europa League, it would guarantee the club between £80-100 million in revenue, as well as providing a more attractive destination for 2025 summer transfer targets.
“I think it’s more about the budget,” Amorim said on Wednesday afternoon when asked about the impact of Champions League qualification. “I think that is important when you are planning the next season. Champions League can change everything.”
He continued: “If you have Champions League, you know that you have a different budget to try to put a better team for next season but this team, with new players, will need time to work so I think it [being good enough for the Champions League] is something that we’ll discover next year hopefully.”
With this in mind, there are five players who United are likely to sound out this summer using the budgetary boost if they qualify for the Champions League.
Matheus Cunha – Wolverhampton Wanderers
United are interested in signing Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Matheus Cunha this summer, should their budget allow. Recently, the club met with his agent amid the player attracting interest from across the Premier League and Europe.
The Brazilian international has a £62.5 million release clause in his contract, but United are known to feel they could negotiate a payment system with Wolves that would allow them to pay his fee over a series of instalments.
Amorim is said to see the player as a versatile forward who could provide him with a further striker option as well as a signing competent in the wide positions, too.
Éderson – Atalanta
As well as in attack, United are looking to bring in midfield reinforcements amid concerns about Manuel Ugarte’s long-term future in Amorim’s system and the potential departure of Casemiro.
United are keen on Atalanta midfielder Éderson and were seriously interested in him last season, with the club seeing the 25-year-old as a player who can add a robust presence in midfield as well as providing quality on the ball.
However, Atalanta are said to want upwards of £51 million this summer, with United no doubt needing the extra stimulus package from Champions League qualification to spend such an amount.
Victor Osimhen – Napoli/Galatasaray
The links between United and Victor Osimhen have existed for years, and more than ever, Amorim needs a striker of his stature, record, and confident nature to spearhead their attack.
Despite his fantastic record of 146 goals in 253 career appearances, with 29 of these coming in 33 matches while on loan at Galatasaray this season, his price tag can only be met by United if they are able to raise significant funds.
The player Jose Mourinho dubbed a “world-class” striker has a release clause of around £63 million in his contract, although there are indications that his parent club Napoli are willing to accept offers of around £55 million in order to sell him early in the window.
He also commands significant wages, with United likely having to fork out upwards of £300,000 a week to secure his services—something they could only budget for with Champions League football.
Benjamin Šeško – RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Šeško is another player who United are currently monitoring ahead of a summer transfer.
United are known to have been fans of Šeško since his time at Domžale, where he left to join the Red Bull group of clubs in 2019.
However, with the player set to command a possible fee of up to £100 million in the summer market, this may be a step too far for United, even if they can secure Champions League football, unless the Bundesliga side are willing to negotiate.
Bart Verbruggen – Brighton & Hove Albion
Finally, there is a real chance that United look to replace André Onana as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper this summer amid the Cameroon international’s poor form.
While Amorim’s side are known to be fans of Belgian international Senne Lammens, they are also said to have made contact with Brighton for 22-year-old Bart Verbruggen, who is having a fantastic season on the South Coast.
However, with Brighton having already informed Bayern Munich that Verbruggen has a £60 million price tag on his head, the chances of United being able to prize him off their hands this summer without Champions League football are slim.
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