EXCLUSIVE: Ed Woodward reveals Manchester United transfer plans amid signing of experience and world-class talents in summer
Manchester United’s Ed Woodward has insisted that the club will continue to buy “experienced, world-class players” this summer following heavy spending in the last two transfer windows.
The Red Devils completed a reported fee of £97 million for Harry Maguire from Leicester City last summer, making Maguire’s move the world’s most expensive defender signing in the history of football.
Additionally, Manchester United won the race to sign Sporting Lisbon’s Bruno Fernandes for £67.6 million, including all bonuses, in the just ended January transfer window.
There has been doubt about the continuation of United’s big money spending in subsequent transfer windows. But executive vice-chairman of Manchester United Ed Woodward insists the signing of big names- which he refers to as experienced and world class players would continue in summer.
“This season is one of rebuild, with many changes to the squad – in terms of players who have left or gone out on loan; new players who we have brought into the club; and academy graduates that we have brought through to the first team,” Woodward said.
“This process will continue as we implement our plan and our footballing vision under Ole and his coaching staff.
“Despite being linked in the media to 111 players in January, our acquisition of just one of them – Bruno Fernandes – is an important step in that direction, demonstrating our commitment to adding experienced, world-class recruits to the exciting crop of academy graduates that are at the heart of this developing team. “We will take the same planned, disciplined, approach this coming summer.”
The Old Trafford club have been linked with the likes of Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly, Jadon Sancho and RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner.
With United looking forward to replace the old partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidić, and having already secured Harry Maguire as a pair of that Ferdinand-Vidic mirror, they are believed to making plans to bring in Napoli defender Koulibaly to complete the partnership with Maguire.
Latest reports also claim that Ole’s side are emerging as the front runners for the signature of Dortmund ace Jadon Sancho in a race that include Liverpool, Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
Timo Werner could also be signed by Manchester United to replace Marcus Rashford in the center forward position to give room for Rashford to be moved into his favorite left wing on the pitch.
A move into any of these transfers could see United re-evaluate the check books to complete a big money move for Koulibaly, Sancho or Werner.
