What Jadon Sancho signing means for Man Utd's remaining summer transfer plans
The Borussia Dortmund star appears to be on the verge of becoming a Manchester United player, meaning the rest of the summer can be spent addressing other glaring issues
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Though Jadon Sancho boasts the kind of talent to leave most defenders beaten all ends up, he alonecan notsolve all of the issues gripping Manchester United’s current playing staff.
Harry Maguire’s injury late into the campaign least season exposed an uncomfortable reality about the centre of United’s defence.
When Maguire is unavailable, United look significantly more vulnerable, the performances of both Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly leaving a lot to be desired.
United were without club captain Maguire for their biggest game of the season in May’s Europa League final, which ended in heartache after a stunning penalty shootout saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team on the wrong side of an 11-10 score line.
United have reportedly reached a breakthrough in their pursuit of Jadon Sancho (Image: Getty)
After 44 days away from any kind of action, Maguire returned in England’s 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic in their final Euro 2020 group game.
He immediately showcased the kind of things United would want from his potential partner, composed on the ball with an eye for a progressive pass.
Luckily for the Red Devils, there is a ready-made star boasting similar qualities plying his trade for Europa League final opponents Villarreal.
United got a first-hand glimpse of what Pau Torres could offer their back-line in that contest, the 24-year-old affectionately dubbed “El Kaizer” due to the confident way he can carry a ball out of defence under pressure.
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United target Pau Torres is away on international duty with Spain at Euro 2020 (Image: Getty)
Torres has been touted with a move to Old Trafford but if Solskjaer is to swoop before the likes of Real Madrid, who are also interested, it would be worth his while doing it sooner rather than later.
This is because Torres’ release clause currently sits at £43m and will do for the majority of the summer, before rising to £57m for the last two weeks of the window.
Alternatively, United could opt for a more seasoned, experienced player in Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane, who is quickly approaching the final 12 months of his contract with little talk of an extension.
Those high up in the Los Blancos hierarchy are thought to see Varane as one player who could be utilised to ease the club’s financial issues.
An offer anywhere between £40-£45m could be enough to entice Varane to Manchester, with the 28-year-old the kind of talent that would need very little adjustment to life in the Premier League, having faced the best the league has to offer in the Champions League over the courseof histen-year stay in Madrid.
Whoever United end up setting their sights on,Solskjaerwill know that while his title rivals continue tostrengthen, United face being left behind without bolstering their defensive options.