While Premier League clubs are estimated to lose £1billion in revenue in their 2019/20 accounts because of the coronavirus pandemic, the uncertainty has not dramatically altered the transfers landscape as some had predicted.
Chelsea have led the way, spending more than £200million in recent months, but United’s only capture, to the chagrin of their army of supporters, has been Dutch midfielder Donny Van De Beek from Ajax.
Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has once again had to bear the brunt of criticism with United so far unable to strike deals for forward pair Jadon Sancho and Ousmane Dembele from Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona respectively.
Dortmund’s 120m euros (£108m) asking price for Sancho has been a key issue in recent months while sporting director Michael Zorc told reporters on Saturday that “the door is closed”, which seems to bring an end to speculation.
United are highly likely to strengthen their forward line with the capture of veteran Uruguayan Edinson Cavani following his release by Paris St Germain, but other areas of concern for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may go unaddressed.
They had been linked with Gareth Bale before he ultimately plumped for a return to Spurs, where Alli seems to be surplus to requirements having not played in the top flight since their season-opening defeat to Everton.
PSG have already had one offer rejected and have been tipped to make a follow-up loan bid for the 24-year-old, who has been left out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the fixtures against Wales, Belgium and Denmark.
Arsenal could raid Chelsea for the second time this summer. Having signed Willian on a free transfer, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is out to boost his midfield options and Jorginho is reported to fit the bill.
Even though Frank Lampard has strengthened in the middle of the park by signing Hakim Ziyech and Kai Havertz – with Ben Chilwell, Edouard Mendy and Timo Werner also joining in big-money moves – the Blues head coach may be reluctant to let go of a player who has twice captained the side this season.
Manchester City’s stuttering start to the campaign might see them make a late foray into the transfer market for a new left-back, with Bayern Munich’s David Alaba and Ajax’s Nicolas Tagliafico among those being apparently courted.
Champions Liverpool are rumoured to be eyeing a last-gasp swoop for Dembele but having added Diogo Jota, Thiago Alcantara and Kostas Tsimikas to their ranks, Jurgen Klopp is probably satisfied with his lot.
Merseyside rivals Everton are bracing themselves for bids for Moise Kean, allegedly attracting interest from PSG and former club Juventus, but his departure could pave the way for Arkadiusz Milik to join the Toffees from Napoli.
Leeds, who have made a whirlwind start in their first top-flight campaign in 16 years, are supposed to be closing in on Rennes winger Raphinha while Norwich’s Todd Cantwell is also a priority for the Elland Road club.
Burnley, without a point from their opening four matches, have seen Jeff Hendrick, Aaron Lennon and Joe Hart all leave Turf Moor and their only outfield signing so far has been Dale Stephens from Brighton.
Manager Sean Dyche has made plain the need for reinforcements but may, in fact, be relieved to see the window shut with West Ham and Leicester sniffing around centre-half James Tarkowski.
