Manchester United have been handed a major blow in their pursuit of Kieran Trippier, with reports claiming Atletico Madrid have firmly rejected their opening offer.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made signing a right-back a priority in the upcoming window, despite the consistent performances of Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
As he has done on the opposite flank with Luke Shaw and Alex Telles, the United boss is keen to add extra strength in depth ahead of a potential title challenge.
Trippier has emerged as his top option for that position, with suggestions the England international would be open to a return to the Premier League.
Reports in Spain claim that United have lodged an opening offer in the region of €12million, one which the Spaniards deem as ‘insufficient’.
Diego Simeone was impressed with the 30-year-old last term playing a key role as they beat Real Madrid and Barcelona to the La Liga crown.
Atleti are insistent they are under no financial pressure to sell and according to Mundo Deportivo they are willing to hold out for his release clause, set at €40m.
They add that Atleti will stand firm on their valuation and unless United get close to that fee, the player will remain in the Spanish capital.
News of Atleti’s staunch transfer stance isn’t likely to go down well at Old Trafford, as they also look to seal a deal for Jadon Sancho.
A year after their well publicised transfer chase fell flat, United are back in for the Borussia Dortmund forward.
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As they have with Trippier, the Red Devils have already launched an opening offer for Sancho and like with Atletico, Dortmund have rejected it out of hand.
It is understood that United offered £67m for Sancho, around £10.5m short of what the Bundesliga giants are looking for this summer.
After losing the Europa League final last month, Solskjaer admitted that he would need to be backed in the transfer window if they are to truly compete for silverware.
“As I said, two or three players to strengthen the starting XI and the squad all together is important for us to go even further,” he said in Gdansk.
“I'm sure our contenders or challengers will also want to improve and we want to improve as much as we can.
In an interview with Norwegian TV, Solskjaer added: “We are second best, but too far behind to threaten those who won. Then we have to strengthen ourselves.
“Of course, something will happen in the transfer window,” he continued. “The world has become very different than 15-16 months ago, but we have to make some moves on the transfer window, but also with the team.
“It is never possible to sit back. You are constantly looking for reinforcements.”
