There are a few attributes that the majority of Manchester United’s summer targets seem to share.
They are all on the young side, Matthijs de Ligt, Manuel Ugarte, Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee and Jarrad Branthwaite are all aged 24 or under.
Their arrivals would also considerably raise both the technical and physical floor of this Manchester United side.
And, considering how much the Red Devils struggled to adapt to Erik ten Hag’s demands last season, an influx of players capable of retaining possession while allowing United to push further and more aggressively up the pitch would go some way to putting a dismal 2023/24 Premier League season in the rearview mirror.
One of Euro 2024’s breakout talents – linked with a potential £17 million move to Old Trafford this week – would also fit in quite nicely.
According to Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, the renowned Turkish reporter, Man United are expected to approach Fenerbahce over the coming days to express their interest in Ferdi Kadioglu.
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Manchester United like Fenerbahce star Ferdi Kadioglu
A buccaneering, ball-carrying, right-footed left-back; Kadioglu could be an inspired addition to a side who spent much of last term operating without a natural left-sided full-back due to the injuries to both Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw.
Also capable of filling in on the right, Kadioglu would represent excellent value for money – reportedly available for half the price Bournemouth want for Milos Kerkez – while adding genuine pace and running power on the flanks.
Also linked with Brighton and Borussia Dortmund, the 24-year-old, Dutch-born Kadioglu is ready for a move to a ‘big club’ too.
At least, that is the view of Vincenzo Montella, the Turkey boss who’s side captured the hearts and minds of the neutrals during their swashbuckling run to the Euro quarter-finals.
“Kadioglu is an extraordinary player,” Montella tells Rai Sport. “This season, he has played sixty games at the highest level.
“He would be useful to any big club.”
Red Devils moving quickly in the transfer market
A team-mate of former Man United midfielder Fred in Istanbul, Fenerbahce’s new head coach certainly laid down the gauntlet to the Red Devils in midweek when making it clear that he is determined to retain Kadioglu’s services.
And, as United know only too well, Jose Mourinho does not take too well to disappointment.
“Our president wants our club to develop, not to regress,” Mourinho told Hurriyet when asked about the future of Kadioglu and co. “This means keeping the best players, not selling them. The top priority is to get the players we have back to the team.
“This will happen step by step.”
The long-awaited first signing of the Ineos era, meanwhile, could officially become a Man United player over the next 24 hours.
Per The Athletic, Zirkzee could undergo his medical today before sealing his £35 million move to Old Trafford. And while Rene Meulensteen has reservations about his ability to adapt to the Premier League, Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant believes Zirkzee’s skill and swagger makes this is a very intriguing addition.
“(Zirkzee is an) interesting, young and up-and-coming player,” Meulensteen explains to talkSPORT (11 July, 12.30pm). “He is a tall boy. Strong. Very, very skilful. But it’s a bit of a surprising sort of signing.”
“When people come from other leagues into the Premier League, they take time to settle.
“It is interesting to see how Zirkzee is going to do there because I maybe expected Man United to go for (a striker who is) a little more experienced.”
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