Manchester United standing on Nikola Milenkovic transfer explained - EXCLUSIVE - 7M sport

Manchester United standing on Nikola Milenkovic transfer explained - EXCLUSIVE

Manchester United have been linked with Fiorentina star Nikola Milenkovic ahead of the summer transfer window.


Posted Monday, March 22, 2021 by Express.co.uk

Manchester United aren't chasing Fiorentina star Nikola Milenkovic ahead of the summer transfer window, Express Sport understands. The Serbia international has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford. But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, it seems, has other targets in mind.

Manchester United have seen their defenders flourish of late, with Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof's partnership starting to click.

But, despite that, the Red Devils are keen to bolster their ranks at centre-back this summer.

United know they need more if they're to beat Manchester City to the Premier League title next term, especially given Pep Guardiola's side's strength at the back.

Amid their desire to add fresh faces to the squad, Solskjaer's side have been linked with Milenkovic.

The 23-year-old has been a shining light amid a difficult campaign for the Serie A side, who currently sit 14th in the table.

Manchester United standing on Nikola Milenkovic transfer explained - EXCLUSIVE
Manchester United don't have Nikola Milenkovic transfer interest

Yet Express Sport understands there's nothing in the continuous links to the Serbia international, with United appearing to have other targets in mind.

Milenkovic was previously linked with a move to Old Trafford during Jose Mourinho's spell in charge.

So with the defender expected to leave the club this transfer window, that's where the rumours are coming from.

United have no interest, with the likes of Jules Kounde and Raphael Varane featuring higher up their list when it comes to potential signings at the end of the campaign.

And who they end up bringing in remains to be seen.

United are understood to be determined to sign a new striker, with Borussia Dortmund's Erling Haaland currently their priority target.

The Norway international previously rejected the advances of Solskjaer back in January 2020, choosing to leave Red Bull Salzburg for the Westfalenstadion instead.

But United's interest remains strong and they're hopeful they'll beat the likes of Barcelona, Chelsea and Real Madrid to the striker's signature this summer.

Declan Rice has also been linked - and it'll be curious to see whether the Red Devils go after the West Ham star.

He's been in fine form this season, with United trio Solskjaer, John Murtough and Darren Fletcher all in agreement he'd be a good asset to have at the Theatre of Dreams.

But he won't come cheap, with West Ham determined to get a fee in the region of £100m for their prized asset.

That would make him United's most-expensive signing of all time, being more than the £89m they forked out for Paul Pogba nearly five years ago.

And the club are keen to dampen expectations of a busy summer, with United still feeling the impact from the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

Solskjaer admitted this recently, claiming the pandemic would have a big say on what they're able to do in the transfer market at the end of the campaign.

"[The pandemic] is definitely affecting everyone in football. Of course the lack of income, the finances have affected everyone," he said.

"We have to be realistic and responsible in the way we do our business both on and off the pitch. There are improvements on the training ground, stadium - we have to look at the whole picture.

"Where can we spend the money? And how much is there? It's just the real world now. It has changed."

He then added: "You can look at it different ways [with a] rebuild. We also have players in the academy that we now can maybe give opportunities.

"All clubs in the world are going through the same situation so it's no different for other clubs than for us.

"I think there's just going to be less and less transfers happening in the world of football with all these changes."



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