Man Utd transfer round-up: Sancho bid prepared and Red Devils eye £40m defender

Manchester United hoped to have secured their top transfer targets by the beginning of play in the 2020-21 season, but embarked on the new campaign with just one new face in their opening matchday squad.

Donny van de Beek is the sole addition to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad amid mounting pressure on executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward to deliver Jadon Sancho as the club’s record-signing.

The Sancho saga has dragged on from the summer well into the autumn and failure to snag the English winger from Borussia Dortmund runs the risk of ushering in a winter of discontent at Old Trafford.

The club remain intent on bringing Sancho in before the end of play in the transfer window on October 5, but alternate arrangements are already said to be in motion.

Bolstering United’s options at right-wing and in defence remains a top priority, but with under two weeks remaining, their activity in the market could become increasingly fraught.

Here is the latest Manchester United transfer round-up.

Sancho ultimatum atop Ole agenda

United’s attempts to sign Sancho have been dealt multiple setbacks throughout this year’s summer transfer window. They have been issued with ultimatums from Dortmund, while an inability to negotiate personal terms and agent fees has further held up the deal.

Mirror Sport understands United are ready to put an end to the speculation by issuing Dortmund with a ‘take-it-or-leave-it’ offer of £90million.

Much of the club’s transfer business this summer has hinged on the possibility of bringing in the England international, which would represent a considerable financial outlay. Understandably, this has affected United’s ability to manoeuvre elsewhere in the market.

As the window draws to a close and areas of United’s squad still require surgery, Solskjaer and the United hierarchy are hoping their Sancho proviso will ensure a quick resolution.

Centre-back refuses to rule out Premier League move

Solskjaer has turned his attention to a new centre-back in recent days, following United’s capitulation at home to Crystal Palace in their opening match of the new season.

RB Leipzig man Dayot Upamecano was subject to considerable interest from Arsenal and a whole host of other top European clubs earlier this year prior to signing a contract extension, but United appear to have revived an interest in the Frenchman.

Upamecano spoke about his future to French outlet Telefoot, stating: “As I said, for now I am focused on Leipzig and I will continue to play for Leipzig. And then we’ll see.

“You never know what can happen in a football season.”

Upamecano may be available for £40million next summer due to a clause in his new deal, according to The Metro. United would be wise to lay the foundations now with a view to securing a deal sooner rather than later, in order to avoid a Sancho-style prolongation to negotiations.

Everton eye back-up keeper for Pickford replacement

Carlo Ancelotti’s swaggering Everton side have begun the season strongly with a string of emphatic victories in the Carabao Cup and the Premier League, however a familiar problem remains.

Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was at fault for both of Fleetwood Town’s goals in the Toffees’ 5-2 romp earlier this week, with MailOnline reporting Ancelotti and his Director of Football Marcel Brands are targeting Sergio Romero as a replacement.

Romero is United’s third-choice goalkeeper this season, with the return of English stopper Dean Henderson. The former Sheffield United loanee started the Carabao Cup tie against Luton Town ahead of the Argentine, with both players seemingly still behind David de Gea in the pecking order.

Mirror Sport also understands Romero would be keen on a move to Merseyside, which could see him challenge the error-prone Pickford for the No.1 spot.