Manchester United are reportedly closing in on their first summer signing, with a deal set to be struck to sign highly-rated Swansea City winger Daniel James.
According to Evening Standard, Manchester United are intent on making their first summer signing to begin the squad overhaul while addressing the problem areas within the squad. Swansea City winger Daniel James, who has also courted interest from Liverpool, is likely to be the United’s first signing as per the report.
Evening Standard add that Jadon Sancho was Manchester United’s primary target to fill up the right side of the attack in the summer. But, Borussia Dortmund are in no hurry to sell the youngster, especially after having agreed a deal with Chelsea for the departure of Christian Pulisic, which has forced United to look elsewhere.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reportedly wants to address the right side of the attack. While Daniel James is primarily a left winger, the Manchester United manager has been impressed with the Welsh international’s pace and directness and sees him as a prospect that can potentially restore balance to United’s left-heavy attack.
Alternatively, Alexis Sanchez and Anthony Martial are both reportedly on the chopping block, with the former’s wages and the latter’s attitude problems the cited reasons for Solskjaer wanting to offload the duo. Even if United manage to get one of them off the books, it will leave just one option for the left side, which is where Daniel James can be of use.
The 21-year-old has 4 goals and 9 assists to show for his efforts in the entire 2018-19 Championship season, which means a goal involvement that is more than any winger within the current Manchester United squad. Also, the Swansea star is likely to cost Manchester United a maximum of £20 million including add-ons, which is a commendable deal by the current market conditions.
The report states that Solskjaer has intimated Woodward to complete the deal for James before July 1. The intention behind the hurry could be to remove the potential of a hijack along with the prospect of getting the squad ready earlier than usual, with Manchester United scheduled to play the UEFA Europa League qualifiers in July itself, if Watford win the FA Cup.
A deal for Daniel James could be the first step in moving Manchester United away from the high-profile signings they have made in the recent windows – most of whom have failed to impress, and back to splashing the cash on talent rather than reputation.
