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Six free transfers Manchester United could target this summer

Sports Mole picks out six free transfers that Manchester United could look at this summer.

Manchester United will reportedly look closely at the free agent market this summer, as the club prepare to boost their squad for the 2022-23 campaign.

Incoming head coach Erik ten Hag will allegedly have around £100m to spend on new players in the upcoming market, but the team's failure to qualify for next season's Champions League will impact their finances.

As a result, it is understood that the Red Devils are currently scouting for free transfers, with Ten Hag unable to call upon 'a bottomless pit of cash' during the summer window.

There will be huge changes at Old Trafford ahead of next term, with a number of players set to leave on free transfers, while others will be placed on the transfer list in a bid to raise funds.

Here, Sports Mole picks out six free transfers that the 20-time English champions could potentially target this summer.


Paulo Dybala (Juventus)

Paulo Dybala warms up for Juventus in March 2022© Reuters

Paulo Dybala's contract at Juventus is due to expire at the end of June, and the Argentina international is allegedly preparing to seek pastures new, having failed to come to an agreement with the Old Lady.

The Turin giants had reportedly initially offered the forward a deal worth £160,000 a week before changing the terms following their January acquisition of Dusan Vlahovic.

The 28-year-old has been in strong form at club level during the 2021-22 campaign, scoring 15 goals and registering six assists in 36 appearances in all competitions.

Man United will be in the market for a couple of new attackers this summer, and Dybala certainly fits the bill in terms of his pedigree and experience, although a number of other clubs will also be monitoring developments, and the team's failure to qualify for next season's Champions League could cost them.

Dybala is said to be open to moving to the Premier League this summer, though, and he would certainly be a statement signing by the Red Devils.


Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona)

Ousmane Dembele in action for Barcelona in February 2022© Reuters

Ousmane Dembele's contract stand-off with Barcelona is showing no signs of ending, and it is difficult to imagine the France international signing a new deal at this moment in time.

As a result, the 24-year-old could become available on a free transfer this summer, which would be incredible considering that Barcelona paid over £100m to sign him from Borussia Dortmund in 2017.

Dembele has again had his injury problems this season but has made 30 appearances at club level in all competitions, scoring twice and providing 11 assists.

The France international again starred against Celta Vigo on Tuesday night, providing two assists in his team's 3-1 win, and he has been consistently linked with a move to the Premier League in recent months.

The attacker could yet pen a new deal at Camp Nou, but Man United are thought to be keeping a close eye on the developments surrounding the former Rennes youngster.


Boubacar Kamara (Marseille)

Olympique de Marseille's Boubacar Kamara in action with AS Monaco's Wissam Ben Yedder on March 6, 2022© Reuters

Man United were heavily linked with Boubacar Kamara in January, with the midfielder thought to be available in a cut-price deal from Marseille, but the transfer window closed with the Frenchman still at his Ligue 1 club.

Kamara's deal is due to expire at the end of June, though, and he is believed to be keen to move to the Premier League this summer, with Aston Villa said to be determined to sign him.

The 22-year-old has been in excellent form for Marseille this season, making 46 appearances in all competitions, contributing one goal and one assist in the process.

Man United will lose both Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic this summer, so at least one new central midfielder is set to arrive, and Kamara would be a low-cost but high-quality option for the 20-time English champions, allowing them to invest transfer funds in other areas of the squad.


Christian Eriksen (Brentford)

Brentford's Christian Eriksen applauds fans after the match on April 10, 2022© Reuters

Christian Eriksen has excelled for Brentford since joining the club in January, making nine Premier League appearances, contributing one goal and three assists in the process.

Having had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) device fitted after suffering a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020, Eriksen left Inter Milan, moving to the Bees on a free transfer.

Eriksen has demonstrated that his health concerns from last year are behind him, and it is difficult to imagine Brentford keeping hold of him before the end of the campaign, with Tottenham Hotspur also said to be keen to bring him back to the club.

A recent report claimed that Ten Hag views the Denmark international as 'the perfect signing to launch his revolution', as the Dutchman prepares to take charge of the English giants.

The 30-year-old would provide a quality option in an area of the squad that needs strengthening, but it remains to be seen whether the Red Devils make a move for him.


James Tarkowski (Burnley)

Burnley's James Tarkowski wearing a captain's armband with the Ukraine colors on March 5, 2022© Reuters

James Tarkowski looks set to leave Burnley on a free transfer at the end of the season, and the 29-year-old would be an interesting option for Man United.

Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane are all likely to remain at Old Trafford this summer, but Phil Jones, Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe could all be on the move.

As a result, Man United could look to sign two new centre-backs this summer, and Tarkowski has shown himself to be a dependable performer in the Premier League for Burnley.

The 29-year-old has again been a key player for the Clarets this term, making 35 appearances in all competitions, contributing one goal and two assists in the process.

The two-time England international is closing in on 200 Premier League outings during his career, meanwhile, and there will not be a shortage of takers for him in the upcoming market.


Sam Johnstone (West Bromwich Albion)

West Bromwich Albion's Sam Johnstone pictured on August 18, 2021© Reuters

Sam Johnstone is preparing to leave West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer this summer, with the 29-year-old looking to return to the Premier League.

The England international has made 36 Championship appearances this season, keeping 15 clean sheets in the process, but he has not played for the Baggies since the start of April.

Tottenham continue to be heavily linked with Johnstone, but Man United will also be in the market for a new goalkeeper this summer if Dean Henderson moves on.

Johnstone could be the ideal number two to David de Gea at Old Trafford next term, and a return to the 20-time English champions might boost his chances of making the England squad for the 2022 World Cup.

The stopper previously represented Man United between 2011 and 2018 but never made a first-team appearance for the club, eventually leaving on a permanent basis for West Brom in 2018.

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Ousmane Dembele in action for Barcelona in February 2022
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