Manchester United transfer news: Romelu Lukaku exit and what to expect on deadline day

Lukaku exit may be only movement after hectic window to date

Manchester United have spent more money than any other Premier League club in the summer transfer window, with a £140m outlay on three signings as part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad re-build.

Daniel James, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire have all arrived and fit the profile of player that Solskjaer set out to bring to the club – British, technically-proficient and with their peak years ahead of them.

At least one central midfielder was wanted following the departures of Marouane Fellaini, who left back in January, and Ander Herrera, who joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.

As it stands, those gaps in Solskjaer’s squad will not be filled. And while Maguire was expensive, there has been no true ‘star’ signing like say Paulo Dybala.

The possibility remains that there could be some movement today, especially if Romelu Lukaku is sold, though as the hours tick by Solskjaer’s squad appears more settled and the chances of any late swoop diminish.

Outgoings

Romelu Lukaku’s future is of the greatest immediate interest. The Belgian is close to joining Internazionale after a summer of speculation and a week of agitation for move.

Inter submitted an improved €80m (£73.7m) bid for Lukaku on Wednesday which has been accepted by United. The deal includes a sell-on fee, meaning United receive a percentage of Lukaku’s next transfer fee.

The club are cutting their losses and selling a player who had fallen well down Solskjaer’s pecking order, even before this past week’s antics of leaking performance data on Twitter and training in Belgium without permission.

Lukaku’s move does not need to be rushed through today, however, with Italy’s transfer window open until 18 August. Meanwhile, if Real Madrid are serious about signing Paul Pogba, they have until the end of the month to find the money.

A bid of £27.4m plus James Rodriguez suggested Madrid lack the financial resources required to extract Pogba out of United, for this window at least. After publicly stating his desire to leave two months ago, the midfielder now appears set to stay until January and perhaps beyond.

Marcos Rojo is the subject of interest from Everton. The Argentine featured heavily on United's pre-season tour though is not expected to challenge for a starting place under Solskjaer this season.

Everton also saw an approach for Chris Smalling rejected earlier this week. The 29-year-old is one of seven centre-halves currently on United’s books, but Solskjaer sees him a valuable member of the first-team squad and wants him to stay.

Incomings

One area United could look to strengthen is up front, where a backup striker is required to replace Lukaku.

Mario Mandzukic is a remote possibility, though Solskjaer is said to be happy with the options at his disposal if there are no further additions. Mason Greenwood's development during pre-season has convinced the Norwegian that he can play a part.

Otherwise, United set out at the start of this window wanting a right-back, a centre-half, reinforcements in central midfield and a wide forward. All those positions bar central midfield have been covered.

Christian Eriksen was being considered at the start of the week as a potential new addition, with only a year remaining on his Tottenham Hotspur contract, though United pulled out once it became clear that he would prefer a move to Spain.

There is a longstanding interest in Sean Longstaff, though United balked at Newcastle’s £50m asking price earlier this summer. That interest could be acted upon again in the future, though there is little sign of an eleventh hour bid coming today.

Much time and energy has been spent on social media discussing the merits of Bruno Fernandes, but there is little evidence that United’s decision-makers are as enthusiastic about the Sporting midfielder.

United have held an interest in Fernandes but spent much of the summer distancing themselves from daily reports in the Portuguese media suggesting that a deal was imminent, or that they had even made an approach.