Why should United go for Free Agents?
After a sub-par and underwhelming transfer window, Manchester United have seen the results. While they are performing much better in Europe, the home form of the Red Devils in the English Premier League is ringing alarm bells. Not only in the minds of the fans, but also in the board room. The board were not able to deliver the players needed by the manager and blamed the pandemic for the situation. Especially since the rest of the Premier League seemed to show some amount of intent and ambition. The ineptitude and ineffectiveness of Ed Woodward has shone through this year as Manchester United have spent just £55m in the transfer window with Van De Beek, Telles, Pellistri and Cavani signed. The latter a last minute signing as a free agent.
United are currently languishing in the 15th position with 3 home losses since the start of the campaign. Manchester United’s further season and destiny belongs in the hands of the players that the manager has at his disposal. The next season could see the finances of several clubs worsen with the pandemic which doesn’t seem to be going away. As a result, free agents will therefore be in demand, come next season. Here we look at 10 free agents who could possibly be on the watch in the corridors of Old Trafford.
Top 10 Free Agents for Summer 2021
Gianluigi Donnarumma
Position: Goalkeeper
Current Club: AC Milan
Donnarumma could be a steal if United can convince him to join the Solskjaer revolution. A young and agile goalkeeper, he could perfectly give De Gea and Henderson a tough run for the money if decides to swap the glitzy Milan to the perennially rainy Manchester. At 21 he has a good two decades ahead of him. His contract expires at end of June 2021 and his current market value of 66 million will make him a very costly goalkeeper if he has to sign a new contract at AC Milan. Manchester United will like to strike a deal in January and potentially steal a march on their rivals and take this talented young goalkeeper of many football clubs clutches. Potentially one of the best free agent deals out there!
David Alaba
Position: Centre Back
Current Club: Bayern Munich
If there is a central defender that Ed Woodward should target it should be David Alaba. A strong and safe defender with immaculate work rate and also an able team leader, Alaba typifies every quality that now is lacking in the Manchester United back four. Alaba can immediately calm the shaky shores of Manchester United defence, with a current market price of over 70 million; his assured play will be welcome by all if he was to sign for the Red Devils in the coming transfer window as a free agent.
Hakan Calhanoglu
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Current Club: AC Milan
One name that has been doing the rounds already in the British media is Hakan Calhanoglu. A hard working, tricky and ball playing mid fielder who has the talent to bring the forwards into play, and also make those tricky defence opening passes makes him a valued asset to any team he plays for. Rumours emerged of a move to Old Trafford a couple of years ago till he chose AC Milan. With Paul Pogba who is more likely to leave next season, Calhanoglu could be the right partner for Bruno Fernandes and create havoc in the opposition. 26 years old now, he has enough European experience to seamlessly blend into this United team and, in turn, play a huge role in the project.
Elsiad Hysaj
Position: Right Back
Current Club: Napoli
Aaron Wan Bissaka has owned the right back position since he has come to Manchester United. In his absence we have seen young Brandon Williams play a stellar role whenever given the opportunity. United will also have the services of Diogo Dalot next season, but if they want a more secure and experienced back up to Wan Bissaka they should look at Elsiad Hysaj who is currently playing for Napoli. Considered to be safe and very efficient he has put in the yards. The Albanian can also play in the left back role and therefore give Manchester United a good option in case of injuries to Shaw and Telles or struggling for form.
Giovanni Reyna
Position: Attacking Midfield
Current Club: Borussia Dortmund
Giovanni Reyna has been spoken about as an upcoming talent who could possibly take the European football by storm. Reyna who is currently at Dortmund will see his contract expire at the end of the current season. Because of this, United will look to give Dortmund one in the eye if they manage to snap up one of the young hot shot talents going around in Europe and snap him up as a free agent by agreeing a pre contract in January. Reyna who turns 18 in a couple of days is at the right age to make a move to the Theatre of Dreams, especially since he could possibly own the attacking midfield place for a good decade ahead and play a significant role with other youngsters like Greenwood, Rashford, Chong and Mejbri which could make Manchester United a team which many will worry about in the coming years.
Riqui Puig
Position: Central Midfield
Current Club: FC Barcelona
A product of the famed La Masia, Puig is regarded as one of the most promising names to have come out of the academy in Barcelona. However, this season, he has found the minutes hard to come by and this might prompt this young central midfielder to seek pastures abroad. He could be looked at by many big European teams, and so United need to act quickly and sign him up in a pre-contract in January if they are to avail the services of perhaps one of the best upcoming Spanish talents currently in the world.
Arkadiusz Milik
Position: Centre Forward
Current Club: Napoli
The Polish sniper will undoubtedly be a huge catch for Manchester United, if they can convince him to sign for the Red Devils. This year his name has not been registered in the Napoli Squad for the Serie A. if Milik was to sign for United, he could provide the perfect back up to Martial, Rashford and Greenwood. A crafty striker with eye for goals and 26 years of age Milik is at the right age to make the move and United will love to have this Polish superstar in their books in the coming seasons. And as a free agent, would be a real steal.
Florian Thauvin
Position: Right Wing
Current Club: Marseille
If Manchester United fail to sign their latest obsession namely Jadon Sancho next year, Manchester United will train their guns on French international Florian Thauvin. Currently playing for Olympique Marseille he is a steady winger. He also has a good amount of Premier League experience after playing a few games for Newcastle United. Soon to turn 28, Thauvin could be a perfect signing for them on a free if Sancho still remains elusive.
Demarai Gray
Position: Left Wing
Current Club: Leicester City
Demarai Gray was once termed as a great upcoming talent, his pace, trickery and ball control is viewed as his greatest asset. Gray, who is currently playing for Leicester City, has found the minutes hard to come by. If he can be convinced to swap Midlands for Manchester, United could possibly have one of the strongest left wings with both Rashford and Gray at their disposal. Gray will turn 25 two days before his contract expires with the Foxes. At 25 he will be at the right age to play a huge role in the revitalizing of a changing Manchester United team. Considering the fact that Solskjaer wants young British talents playing for him, the profile of Demarai Gray seems the right fit for the Red Devils.
Sergio Ramos
Position: Centre Back
Current Club: Real Madrid
Sergio Ramos needs no introduction; he is a Spanish and Real Madrid legend who has provided exemplary service for both club and country. A rugged and tough centre back with the ability to bully the opposition attack, he has proved his mettle and talents for the Los Blancos. Manchester United could possibly copy Chelsea’s tactics of signing Thiago Silva as a free agent, if they can attract the attention of Ramos. Manchester United came close to signing Ramos under Louis Van Gaal but the Madrid centre back ended up signing a contract extension. Ramos could possibly work as a perfect team leader to not only Maguire and Lindelof but also be a mentor to Tuanzebe and Teden Mengi if United could snap him up. Soon to be 35 years old, Ramos could give a good two year service at Old Trafford with his calm, assured and rugged style of play.
