Manchester United and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are in the enviable position of their fate for next season all-but confirmed.
Sunday’s win over Brighton, combined with dropped points for Leicester, Chelsea and Tottenham, means their place in the top-four looks fairly secure.
That means plans for the summer window can be put forward with some clarity about a place in next season’s Champions League.
Solskjaer has confirmed that he already has a certain picture of what the squad will look like, with United likely to be active in the transfer window.
Here’s the latest transfer rumours coming out of Old Trafford, including an update in the Erling Haaland saga.
Man City make Haaland decision
(Image: Borussia Dortmund via Getty Imag)
City are ready to shelve plans to sign Lionel Messi, instead placing Erling Haaland as their top transfer priority this summer.
United, City and Chelsea have all been linked with bringing the Norwegian to the Premier League, while there is reported interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Guardiola had previously hinted that City would be unable to afford a top-level striker, even with Sergio Aguero set to leave the Etihad.
However, Mirror Sport understand that Haaland is at the top of their list, with bosses ready to sanction a massive transfer offer.
The deal could also include a waiving of the sell-on fee that was inserted into the deal that saw Jadon Sancho join the Germans in 2017.
‘Contact’ with Dembele
(Image: NurPhoto/PA Images)
After United’s failed pursuit of Jadon Sancho last summer, there were reports linking them with a move for Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele.
And although that didn’t materialise, the Spanish media continue to suggest an approach could be made at the end of this season.
Mundo Deportivo claim there was also contact in January, with Barcelona looking to raise funds for their own trasfer plams.
Alternatively the Red Devils could look to bide their time and secure Dembele’s services on a free in just over 12 months time.
Rio calls De Gea’s next move
(Image: PA)
Rio Ferdinand thinks there is “no chance” David de Gea will stay at United beyond the summer after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer preferred Dean Henderson in Sunday night’s clash with Brighton.
The battle between the pair for the United No.1 spot has been a key element of the club’s season, but it was Henderson who started the last six matches after De Gea returned to Spain to attend the birth of his first child.
Now he’s back, the long-time United No.1 had to watch on from the bench on Sunday, and Ferdinand thinks his former teammate won’t be impressed.
“You’ve got two options: you fight for your position or you say, ‘that’s me done, I’m off and I’ll go somewhere else.’” Ferdinand told BT Sport.
“If Dean Henderson finishes the season as number one, I don’t see De Gea staying there. No chance, I don’t see it. I think he’ll go out now.”
* Sign up to the Mirror Football email here for the latest news and transfer gossip
