Manchester United are looking to replicate their last summer transfer window feat as they plan an audacious list of Premier League’s finest players to bring to the Old Trafford in next transfer window. After their astronomical spending last year failed miserably to make any impact in the league campaign with the club struggling to remain in the Champions League qualifying spots, manager Jose Mourinho wants to give it a go for the second time and hope it works.
According to latest reports, United are planning a £30 million bid for Arsenal star Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain. With the sudden resurgence of Anthony Martial on the wings, Mourinho has been saved the blushes after he had decided to sell Memphis Depay to Lyon this winter without any replacements. The Old Trafford boss, as per reports, is determined to pursue the deal especially if the Gunners firm up their long-standing interest in Chris Smalling this summer.
The wings have been a difficult position for Mourinho to deal with this season with Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Jese Lingard and Ashley Young being the few options there. Although the Portuguese have used Juan Mata, Marcus Rashford and of late Martial in that position, it hasn’t been as effective as he wanted. Old Trafford needs someone with the agility of Chamberlain on the wide field who can outpace the opponent on the break and feed crosses to Ibrahimovic.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain moved to Arsenal back in 2011 and has been one of Arsene Wenger’s best-nurtured players over the past six years. The Frenchman has used him almost everywhere in the attacking third whether it be on the wings, as a deep lying midfielder, forward and even as a wing-back at times.
Despite starting the season as the second fiddle to young Alex Iwobi, the 23-year-old has got back into the first team ahead of Theo Walcott and featured in their humiliating defeat away at Munich. Chamberlain has come off the bench eleven times this season, which shows how much Wenger relies on his sudden burst of pace and urgency to make things happen.
With doubts surrounding a new contract for midfield lynchpin Michael Carrick – who will be 36 when next season starts – Oxlade-Chamberlain is a good option to have on the wish-list. He has been one of Arsenal’s utility player so far and there is little chance, the Gunners would be willing to sell him anytime soon.
Other options are Chelsea duo Nemanja Matic and Willian, who would be first choice picks, but it’s unlikely that United would get anywhere near a deal for two of Antonio Conte’s biggest stars.
