Man United Transfer News: Latest on Paul Pogba, Frenkie de Jong, and other summer 2022 window player signings, loans & deals

By | June 5, 2022
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Manchester United fans can expect to see new manager Erik ten Hag make his first moves in the transfer market this summer, and his decisions will be crucial to the club’s chances of arresting their Premier League slide.

The three-time champions of Europe start the 2022/23 campaign in the Europa League after finishing sixth in the English top flight in 2021/22, compounding a season in which they rarely looked like challenging for the Champions League, FA Cup or EFL Cup.

Record signing Paul Pogba has been released, alongside attacking midfielder and academy product Jesse Lingard and veteran Uruguay forward Edinson Cavani.

Ten Hag is likely to have a sizeable budget to work with as he takes over at a club that is still a financial powerhouse despite their struggles to contend for honours in recent seasons.

The Sporting News is rounding up the key updates — all day, every day — below. 

MAN UNITED CONFIRMED DEALS: Transfers in | Transfers out | Updated squad list

MAN UNITED ANALYSIS: Cristiano Ronaldo in the Europa League | Ten Hag’s first press conference | United’s struggles since Sir Alex Ferguson left

Latest Man United transfer news

Last update: Jun 5, 06:55ET / 11:55BST

Manchester United ‘close to agreement’ for Frenkie de Jong

Manchester United are said to be ‘close to agreement’ on a fee for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, with a sum of around £68.7m believed to be enough to convince the cash-strapped Catalan giants to sell, as reported by Sport. 

The midfielder has been a key target of new manager Erik Ten Hag since his arrival at the club, whilst the two also worked together to a very successful degree at Ajax from 2017 to 2019. 

Money is not a problem for the Old Trafford side, as they try and convince the 25-year-old to move to the Premier League. De Jong is said to want to stay at Barcelona, however, has doubts about his immediate future at the Camp Nou due to their clear intent to sell him this summer to raise funds. 

Dean Henderson in talks over Old Trafford exit

Manchester Evening News has reported that Red Devils goalkeeper Dean Henderson remains in talks with Newcastle United over a summer exit from Old Trafford. 

The Whitehaven-born goalkeeper did not make a single Premier League appearance last campaign, sparking interest from Newcastle United over a potential move to the North East. 

Manchester United could receive up to £40 million for the 25-year-old if he is to be sold this window, which could come in handy for Erik Ten Hag as he looks to make additions to his squad ahead of the 2022/23 campaign. 

Potentially, a loan deal could also be on the table for Henderson to join Newcastle which is also something Manchester United would be open to accepting.

Manchester United ‘join’ Christian Eriksen transfer race

Christian Eriksen is reportedly a target for Manchester United this summer, as reported by the Daily Mirror.

Erik Ten Hag is said to have been blown away by his performances and desire in his second half of the season cameo at Brentford, following his sharp return to football after suffering a cardiac arrest at UEFA EURO 2020 last year. 

Of course, the new Red Devils manager has previous with the Denmark international, as Ten Hag let Eriksen train with Ajax to help build up his fitness in order to find a new club. 

Tottenham Hotspur and Everton are also in the hunt for the attacking midfielder, who would be available on a free transfer should he decide not to pen an extension at his current employers. 

Ten Hag ready to open ‘direct talks’ with Frenkie de Jong despite his transfer stance

Fabrizio Romano has reported that Manchester United want to open up direct talks with Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, as they believe there is a chance of signing the midfielder due to the Catalan giants’ financial situation. 

The former Ajax midfielder has been a key target for Erik ten Hag since he took the reins at Old Trafford, with the pair enjoying a positive relationship due to their time in the Netherlands together. 

Now, it looks as if United could step up their attempts to bring De Jong to the Premier League. Despite De Jong seemingly signalling his intent to stay at Barcelona, according to The Times, it looks as if the Red Devils are not yet ready to give up the chase. Indeed, Spanish publication Sport says next week will be key as United attempt to convince the player to move.

United ‘intensifying dialogue’ with Adrien Rabiot

Manchester Evening News via CalcioMercato claims that Manchester United are ‘intensifying dialogue’ with Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot over a potential move to Old Trafford. 

The 27-year-old is reportedly keen on a move to the Premier League should interest come his way, whilst it is said that the Old Lady would accept around £12.8 million for his signature.

Despite having no UEFA Champions League football at Old Trafford this coming season, Rabiot would consider the attractive project on offer at the Red Devils under new manager Erik Ten Hag. 

United scout Joao Gomes – and spot Andreas Pereira

United scouts appear to have had their heads turned by one of their own when they went to watch 21-year-old midfielder Joao Gomes play for Brazilian side Flamengo.

The analysts returned to inform bosses that Andreas Pereira, who has impressed during a loan spell with the club, was the best player on the pitch, according to ESPN.

That could mean part of Erik ten Hag’s midfield rebuild becomes an inside job, especially as the incoming manager worked with Pereira during his time at PSV Eindhoven.

The report says that Pereira’s prospects of saying at Flamengo have “all but collapsed”, with Ten Hag reportedly keen to watch him in pre-season.

Pereira, 26, has a year remaining on his contract after signing an extension to his Old Trafford deal in 2019.

Paulo Dybala ‘wants to know’ the Premier League

Departing Juventus forward Paulo Dybala has long been linked with United and was said to be a target for Ten Hag in April.

Inter Milan want Cristiano Ronaldo’s former strike partner following Juve’s announcement that they will be releasing him, so it is hard to know how to interpret his latest comments about his future.

“In Italy, I am very comfortable,” Dybala tells ESPN via MailOnline, which makes sense given that he’s been playing in the country for more than 10 years. But he also added: “I would still like to know other leagues like the Premier League, La Liga… but I’m happy in Italy.”

Arsenal are thought to be one of the clubs rivalling United for Dybala. “I am quite calm,” says the striker, who scored with an excellent finish in the Finalissima against Italy at Wembley on Wednesday. “The people who I work with are taking care.”

Marco Asensio ‘offered to United’

Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio is out of contract at the end of the 2022/23 season and has reportedly been offered to United by his agent, Jorde Mendes.

At 26, attacking midfielder or winger Asensio knows he is facing a crucial moment in his career, with a long-term contract at his next club likely to cover his peak years.

United could be attracted by his vast experience with Madrid – he has been at the club for nine years – and his successful previous partnership with defender Raphael Varane at the Bernabeu.

Asensio was generally used as a back-up by Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti in La Liga and the Champions League, remaining an unused substitute in their win in the final over Liverpool. Mendes is also Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent.

“Me and my family know that I have to keep growing and moving forward,” Asensio told Diario AS. “I want to achieve important things in football and they help me do that.

“Considering how this season went and what I experienced during my career, it’s true that I want more, I’m hungry for more. I would retire if it wasn’t like this – I have many more challenges to achieve.”

Asensio was named in Spain’s squad for their UEFA Nations League fixtures in June and was kept on the bench during their 1-1 draw at home to Portugal.

Manchester United confirm Juan Mata departure

Following the confirmations of Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard’s exits yesterday, Manchester United have now announced that Juan Mata will also be leaving Old Trafford when his contract expires at the end of June.

Mata joined United from Chelsea in January 2014 and made 285 appearances, scoring 51 goals.

The Spaniard won the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Europa League during his time at United.

Manchester United confirm Paul Pogba exit

Manchester United have officially revealed record transfer Paul Pogba will leave the club on a free transfer this month.

The French international has not been offered an extension to his expiring contract at Old Trafford and the former £89m (€104.5/$112m) man will now move on.

Pogba returned to United in 2016, after leaving them for Juventus in 2012, after failing to force his way into Sir Alex Ferguson’s plans despite his rave reviews in the youth ranks.

His second spell with the Red Devils has been dogged by injury and inconsistency, with 154 Premier League appearances in six seasons, alongside an EFL Cup and Europa League double win in 2017.

UPDATE (Jun 4): According to Sky Sports News, Paul Pogba is mulling over offers from Juventus, PSG and Real Madrid as he ponders his next move as a free agent. Following his departure from Old Trafford, the midfielder has been enjoying a vacation in the United States where he will determine where his future lies ahead of the upcoming campaign. 

United hit with Frenkie de Jong setback

Manchester United have been dealt a major blow in their push for Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong as per reports from The Times.

Ten Hag is keen on reunion with his former Ajax schemer at Old Trafford next season with United rumoured to be open to breaking their wage structure to sign the 25-year-old.

However, despite Barcelona’s openness to a sale, the La Oranje star wants to stay at the Camp Nou and fight his way back into Xavi’s plans in 2022-23.

Paul Pogba edging closer to Serie A return

Paul Pogba’s free transfer exit from United is set to be formalised next month with the France star leaving Old Trafford after six seasons back at the club.

Despite the optimism of fulfilling his world-class potential on his Red Devils return in 2016, the 29-year-old’s second stint in Manchester has been a frustrating one.

Injuries and inconsistency have dogged him in the past 18 months with the incoming Ten Hag unlikely to be able to persuade him to sign a new deal, even if the club were to offer improved terms.

Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain were linked with a free transfer swoop for the midfielder but he looks set to return to Juventus ahead of the 2022/23 season.

UPDATE (May 31): Reports from the Gazzetta dello Sport claim Juventus will resign Pogba on a three-year deal, worth an estimated £10 million (€11.7m/$12.6m), with former United winger Angel Di Maria also a target following his release from PSG.

Paul Pogba Manchester United

UPDATE (June 2): Juventus are confident of re-signing Pogba on a three-year contract according to Sky Sports.

United boosted in Declan Rice battle

England international Declan Rice is rumoured to be United’s No.1 transfer target this summer as Ten Hag looks to remodel his midfield after Pogba’s exit.

Rice’s stock continued to rise in 2021/22 with a marathon 50-game campaign, as West Ham reached the Europa League semifinals.

However, the Hammers are bracing themselves for a summer of speculation over the 23-year-old, with United and Chelsea both in the hunt for Rice.

UPDATE (May 31): United will open talks with West Ham when Rice returns for pre-season next month, and according to reports from the Daily Express, Manchester City’s interest in Kalvin Phillips has ruled them out of the running for the Hammers man.

Ten Hag to raid Ajax for defensive star

Ten Hag’s arrival at Old Trafford looks set to trigger major changes within the squad ahead of the 2022/23 Premier League season.

Outgoing interim boss Ralf Rangnick claimed United needed “nine or 10” new players to turn the tide of mediocrity at the club and Ten Hag will assess his priorities for reinforcements.

Defence is likely to be a key area for attention, with United conceding 57 league goals last season, more than any other team in the European qualification spots.

UPDATE (May 31): Ten Hag is expected lean on his former club Ajax in the coming months with Netherlands international Jurrien Timber a potential target. The Guardian claims talks are already advance with the versatile defender and United will make a bid of £25m (€29.8m/$31.5m).

Man United Transfers: Summer 2022 transfer window

Players In:

Date Player Position Age Club Transfer/Loan Fee
           
           
           

Players Out:

Date Player Position Age Club Transfer/Loan Fee
Jul 1, 2022 Edinson Cavani FW 35 N/A Free Transfer
Jul 1, 2022 Nemanja Matic MF 33 N/A Free Transfer
Jul 1, 2022 Lee Grant GK 39 N/A Free Transfer

Man United squad 2021-22

Below is the updated Man United first-team squad. New additions during the summer 2022 window are noted in bold:

Goalkeepers (3): David de Gea, Tom Heaton, Dean Henderson

Defenders (9): Eric Bailly (CB), Diogo Dalot (RB), Phil Jones (CB), Victor Lindelof (CB), Harry Maguire (CB), Luke Shaw (LB), Alex Telles (LB), Raphael Varane (CB), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (RB).

Midfielders (6): Bruno Fernandes (CAM), Jesse Lingard (CAM), Fred (CM), Juan Mata (CAM), Scott McTominay (CM), Paul Pogba (CM).

Forwards (6): Edinson Cavani (CF), Anthony Elanga (LW), Mason Greenwood (CF)*, Marcus Rashford (LW), Cristiano Ronaldo (CF), Jadon Sancho (LW).

* = Mason Greenwood is indefinitely suspended after his arrest on suspicion of rape and assault, but remains on the Man United squad list

CB = centre back; LB = left back; RB = right back; CM = central midfielder; CAM = attacking midfielder; CF = centre forward; LW = left wing; RW = right wing

The current Man United projected first-choice starting lineup, when completely healthy, currently looks like:

Man United projected starting XI (4-2-3-1): de Gea (GK) — Shaw, Varane, Maguire, Dalot — McTominay/Fred, Pogba — Sancho, Fernandes, Elanga — Ronaldo.

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