Manchester United are reportedly eyeing Ross Barkley and Tosin Adarabioyo as part of a new recruitment strategy led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The plan is to focus on smart signings rather than splashing out on big-name stars.
Barkley has been in top form for Luton Town this season after making his Premier League comeback. The former Everton and Chelsea midfielder spent a year at Nice, owned by the INEOS chief, in France before joining the newly promoted Hatters, where he’s been a standout player.
Adarabioyo has also been impressive for Fulham, who are still in the running for a spot in next season’s European competitions. The 26-year-old centre-back has proven himself as a reliable defender in the English top flight.
Both players’ contracts could end in the summer, which has piqued the Red Devil’s interest as they prepare for a significant squad revamp. Barkley has the option to extend his contract at Kenilworth Road, but that might hinge on the club’s Premier League status, with several teams keeping tabs on the 30-year-old.
According to Football Transfers, as quoted by the Express, Manchester United may look to Barkley and Adarabioyo to bolster their squad depth next season. The Luton Town midfielder’s versatility and the homegrown status of both players would be beneficial for the club.
Ratcliffe has said that the club won’t be spending big money on big name stars anymore, ruling out a potential move for Kylian Mbappe, who sees his contract at Paris Saint-Germain expire at the end of the season. Manchester United will have money to spend in the summer but they want to buy players who have bags of potential.
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“I’d rather find the next Mbappe than spend a fortune trying to buy success,” said the British billionaire on The Geraint Thomas Cycling Club Podcast. “It’s not that clever, is it, buying Mbappe, in a way? Anyone could figure that one out. Much more challenging is to find the next Mbappe or Jude Bellingham or the next Roy Keane.”
Ratcliffe might change a lot of the players at United in the summer. No one knows yet if manager Erik ten Hag will stay. His team might end up with a record low number of wins this season. They’ve already lost 11 games and there are nine more to play.
Jarrad Branthwaite and Michael Olise have also been mooted as potential targets for Manchester United. But lots of other teams want them too, including some who will be playing in the Champions League next year.
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