After finishing third in the Premier League last season, there’s a sense of optimism at Old Trafford, but that will all go for naught if Manchester United do not improve their roster this summer.
Meanwhile, their biggest rivals, Manchester City, just keep getting better and better, even if they just won the treble last season, while teams such as Arsenal, Chelsea, and Newcastle United are looking to boost their Premier League 2023 odds next season with moves of their own.
Learn more about the latest SBOTOP Premier League 2023 updates by continuing reading below.
United turn to other targets after talks reach impasse
Manchester United are looking to avoid the same mistake they made last summer when they waited too long to go to Plan B after Plan A failed.
Last year, the Red Devils went hard for Frenkie de Jong, who made it clear at the time that he wouldn’t leave for Barcelona. Talks dragged on, especially when Barcelona’s complicated financial situation was brought up, but Manchester United ultimately missed out on him.
This time, getting a top striker is their main priority, while they’re also looking at acquiring another centre-back, midfielder, and goalkeeper.
It’s unlikely that they’ll get Harry Kane now because of Daniel Levy’s stubbornness, while Chelsea are holding out on Mason Mount, and David de Gea has yet to sign a new deal.
Manchester United’s third bid, worth £55 million, for Mount was rejected by Chelsea. Mount wants to move to Old Trafford, but the Red Devils may be forced to look elsewhere for now, with the likes of Adrien Rabiot and Moises Caicedo next on their list.
Randal Kolo Muani was offered to Manchester United, but they are unwilling to pay Eintracht Frankfurt’s asking price of at least £86 million. While they’re officially holding talks with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, they’re also looking at Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund.
Andre Onana is being eyed to become the team’s new No. 1, given that David de Gea has yet to sign a new contract. Onana had worked with Erik ten Hag before at Ajax, although he has been an enigma these past few years.
Because they adhere to the FFP rules (unlike certain teams, it seems), Manchester United are also trying to raise funds, and they’re reportedly willing to listen to offers for up to 13 of their current players, namely Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay, Anthony Martial, and Jadon Sancho.
City not resting on their laurels
Manchester City fans were sad to see Ilkay Gundogan go on a free transfer, but they’re still in great shape, given their progress so far this summer.
They recently got Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea, and they’re currently in advanced talks for Declan Rice and Josko Gvardiol.
Declan Rice is expected to leave West Ham United this summer, but the Hammers have put a huge price tag on the midfielder. Arsenal were the first team to try and sign Rice, but West Ham United rejected the Gunners’ two bids.
The former West Ham United captain is seen as the perfect replacement for Gundogan, so they sent out a bid worth £80 million plus £10 million in add-ons.
Josko Gvardiol is also expected to leave the Bundesliga this summer. The towering Croatian burst onto the scene in the 2022 World Cup, and RB Leipzig want at least €100 million for him. Gvardiol has a release clause in excess of €110 million that can be triggered next summer.
The Sky Blues are looking to strengthen their defence, as they’re expected to sell Aymeric Laporte this summer. Chelsea are reportedly keeping tabs on the out-of-favour Manchester City centre-back.
Arsenal, Chelsea, and Newcastle’s notable moves
The Manchester-based clubs are not the only ones making headlines, as Arsenal, Chelsea, and Newcastle United have done their bit as well.
Arsenal’s bid for Rice has been rejected, and it would be a huge blow for them if they lose him to Manchester City. But they’ve managed to bolster their frontline with the addition of Kai Havertz, and they’re in advanced talks with Jurrien Timber.
Chelsea, who sold Hakim Ziyech, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Edouard Mendy to Saudi Pro League teams, have confirmed Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, and Kendry Paez as their newest signings.
But there remains uncertainty over a host of their players, such as Mason Mount, Trevoh Chalobah, Conor Gallagher, Cesar Azpilicueta, Christian Pulisic, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Romelu Lukaku.
And last but not least, Newcastle United signed Sandro Tonali on a £60 million deal, who’s coming off a solid campaign for AC Milan.
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