Manchester United could finally be about to reap the rewards from Cristiano Ronaldo ’s departure last month as they plan on splashing the cash for two new transfers.
The Red Devils are reported to have saved between £15million and £30million on wages with Ronaldo’s departure, having become the highest earner at the club after rejoining in 2021. Now, however, reports claim they will use that extra cash to sign one of the 37-year-old’s former teammates, while bolstering their defensive ranks with a new centre back.
Mirror Football takes a look at all the latest transfer stories coming out of Old Trafford…
Real Madrid ace offered ‘crazy salary’
Man United are set to cure their striker issues by offering a ‘crazy’ salary to Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema in order to convince him to join the club.
The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner is one of the most prolific strikers in world football but his contract is set to expire at the end of the current campaign. Los Blancos are said to have offered him a one-year extension, but the 34-year-old may have other ideas.
And according to Spanish publication Nacional, Benzema has been linked with a free transfer to United at the end of the season, with the Red Devils set to use the millions they saved on Ronaldo’s wages as part of a monster salary for the Frenchman himself.
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United targeting Serie A defender
Despite having signed Lisandro Martinez for £56.7m in the summer, Man United could be set to make a second big money offer for Napoli defender Kim Min-jae.
The Red Devils already have Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof amongst the ranks, but it has been reported that they could invest further into their defensive options with the signing of the South Korea international, who impressed at the World Cup and has been influential with Napoli this season.
Kim only arrived in Naples over the summer but according to a report from Fichajes, United are preparing an offer of around €55m (£47.2m) for the towering defender. However, he is still in his first season at Napoli and the Serie A leaders are unlikely to sell before next summer.
Rashford to extend deal
Marcus Rashford will not leave Man United as a free agent next summer as the Red Devils prepare to trigger the one-year extension in his contract.
There have been doubts over the 24-year-old’s future beyond the current campaign, with PSG continuing to circle, but transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that United have now activated the one-year option in his contract to extend his stay until 2024.
Speaking on his Here We Go podcast, he said: “We can confirm that Marcus Rashford will not leave Manchester United on a free in 2023, because Man United will activate the option until 2024. So Rashford will not be a free agent.”
