- Manchester United director of football meets with three clubs
- Details for the summer closer to being planned
- Who could be joining Manchester United?
Manchester United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, is preparing for the summer transfer window and has reportedly met with three English clubs. The Englishman has already played a role in numerous signings, many of which have become major successes for the club.
Whilst the likes of Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee arrived at Old Trafford and still struggle to fully hit the heights expected of them, Wilcox also played a crucial role in bringing Senne Lammens, Matheus Cunha, and Ayden Heaven to the club, with all three impressing during their time at United so far.
The 55-year-old has once again turned his attention toward the Premier League, searching for players who fit United’s mould and can slide into positions likely to lose key figures this summer.
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Where has Wilcox Been?
Dylan Penketh of United Roundtable has reported that Wilcox has already started laying the groundwork for business with numerous clubs ahead of the summer window. He has held talks with Nottingham Forest, Leicester City, and an unnamed Premier League club.
The clearest links from that list emerge from Leicester. After suffering their second consecutive relegation, the Foxes will play League One football for the first time since 2009—just a decade after their unprecedented Premier League title triumph.
Wilcox almost certainly holds an interest in youngster Jeremy Monga, whom United have monitored closely for some time. The Reds do not stand alone in the chase for the highly-rated 16-year-old, however, with eight other Premier League clubs tracking the youngster’s situation, whilst European giants Real Madrid, Juventus, and Borussia Dortmund also circle closely.
Reports also claimed Wilcox travelled alongside United academy director Stephen Torpey, with the club additionally interested in 17-year-old midfielder Louis Page.
Nottingham Forest presents a far more complicated picture, with United linked to several players at the club. Elliot Anderson remains the standout name.
The swashbuckling defensive midfielder has emerged as the leading candidate to replace the departing Casemiro, although the Englishman currently appears to favour a move to the blue side of Manchester.
Murillo, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Ibrahim Sangare have also drawn links with United in recent months. As for the unnamed Premier League side, the possibilities remain endless.
Wilcox casts his scouting network far and wide, and United continue to attract links with almost every major talent in the division.
If attention remains fixed on the defensive midfield negotiations, Newcastle or West Ham appear the most likely options, with United continuing to monitor Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes should a move for Anderson collapse.
Who can United get?
United must replace Casemiro this summer. The Brazilian has already confirmed his departure despite the emotional pleas from supporters, and his exit leaves a cavernous hole in midfield that nobody currently at the club can properly fill.
With Manuel Ugarte also likely to depart, the Reds will pursue at least two midfielders capable of replacing the outgoing pair. There have been discussions about promoting from within.
Jim Thwaites and both Jack and Tyler Fletcher are continuing to impress throughout the academy setup, but asking an 18-year-old to shoulder that responsibility immediately would border on reckless.
United continue to admire the profiles of Anderson, Fernandes, and Tonali as potential solutions, but the club still has major decisions to make before anybody walks out at Old Trafford holding a red shirt aloft.
