Manchester United will try to sign Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Mason Mount this summer.
United’s No.1 target is Tottenham striker Kane, who is the player manager Erik ten Hag wants the most.
They are unlikely to sign all three players and it all hinges on the impending takeover of United, with Qatari investors and INEOS’ Sir Jim Ratcliffe in contention.
Kane, Rice and Mount are exactly the kind of characters United boss Ten Hag wants in the club’s dressing room.
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Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag insists his summer transfer plans will not be affected whether or not there is a change of ownership at the club
As Sky Sports News Reported earlier this week, United have no interest in PSG striker Neymar, who was offered to the Premier League club by intermediaries.
The Qatari bid for United, led by Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani, has no summer goals. They are focused on buying the club and made a fourth, increased offer earlier this month.
If the group succeeds in its takeover bid, it won’t mean that they will try to sign Neymar.
Rice and Mount are close friends from their Chelsea youth
Man Utd favorites to sign Chelsea mount
United have become the main suitor to sign Mason Mount – if he leaves Chelsea this summer.
Erik ten Hag’s club seem to be showing the greatest interest in the English midfielder, ahead of rivals Liverpool.
They also reportedly asked a number of questions about his potential availability this season and were encouraged by his complicated situation at Stamford Bridge.
Mount’s contract expires in 2024 and – with Chelsea wanting him to stay – there have been talks of a new deal during a difficult campaign on the pitch for both team and player.
Mount went through Chelsea academy but was able to jump ship
The player must fit into the responsible wage structure that Chelsea are trying to put in place, however, and those talks have so far failed to result in an agreement.
This has led Liverpool to be interested in Mount, who is represented by Wasserman’s Neil Fewings, who – among others – represents Virgil Van Dijk and Jordan Henderson.
But Manchester United are now believed to have moved ahead of their rivals, with Newcastle also monitoring the situation closely with Tottenham.
Mauricio Pochettino is expected to hold talks with Mount following his appointment as Chelsea’s new manager which could change the dynamics of the situation.
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Athletic football correspondent David Ornstein reports Manchester United would be in pole position to sign Mason Mount if he leaves Chelsea
It remains to be seen if Pochettino sees the midfielder as an integral part of his plans and can influence his decision to re-engage with his boyhood club.
But if Mount sees his future elsewhere, Chelsea are ready to sell him but will demand upwards of £70m for the 24-year-old.
Arsenal have Rice and Mount on the midfield shortlist
Arsenal are set to make a bid for West Ham captain Rice at the end of the season, with Chelsea Mount and Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan among their summer midfielder shortlist.
Internal discussions at the Emirates Stadium are continuing over the possibility of signing the England midfielder, who was interested in the Gunners in January.
Declan Rice, Mount Mason, Ilkay Gundogan
Sky Sports News reported that Rice had a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ that he could move in the summer – provided West Ham received an offer worth £120million either in transfer fee or transfer fee plus the players.
Rice still has a year left on his contract at West Ham – with an option for a further year.
Arsenal are also monitoring Moises Caicedo’s situation at Brighton. Arsenal saw two offers rejected in January – the latest was worth £70million.
Caicedo has since signed a new contract at Brighton – but manager Roberto De Zerbi has admitted sky sports earlier this month that the player could leave this summer.
Arsenal going for both Rice and Caicedo in the summer window has not been ruled out – but the prospect of bringing in both players would likely hinge on the money generated from possible sales.
Arsenal are also monitoring a number of other midfielders, with Granit Xhaka set to leave this summer.
Gundogan is out of contract this summer – last month he said talks with City were underway. City boss Pep Guardiola has made it clear he wants Gundogan to stay. Arteta worked closely with Gundogan when he was Guardiola’s assistant at City.