Manchester United are being linked to signing a number of players over the summer.
Jose Mourinho’s priority will be central midfield having recently changed to a 4-3-3 formation and with both Michael Carrick and Marouane Fallaini expected to leave in the summer.
Another position we don’t have locked down is left-back. During his two seasons at Old Trafford, Jose Mourinho has used a number of players in this position, with Ashley Young and Luke Shaw being the most popular choices this season. Daley Blind, Matteo Darmian and Marcos Rojo are others we’ve used here.
We were strongly linked with signing Danny Rose from Tottenham Hotspur last summer but nothing materialised. Then Shaw returned to full fitness just before Christmas and started a string of games before 32-year-old Young reclaimed his starting role.
One player we are being linked to is Fulham’s Ryan Sessegnon. The 17-year-old is having an incredible season in the Championship, scoring 14 goals to date including the winner at Derby County lat weekend.
However, the England under-19 international has been moved forward to the left wing role in recent months and Jose would not be interested in signing another player in this position. We already have Alexis Sanchez, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford here.
Perhaps that’s why Sessegnon is believed to favour a move to Tottenham Hotspur over any other interested suitors, so says a report in the Mirror.
The report goes on to say that the London club rate the teenager at a staggering £50 million. Spurs have been long admirers of the wonderkid but could also face competition from Manchester City and Liverpool over the summer.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side have Ben Davies and Danny Rose at left-back, with the latter expected to leave over the summer after falling out with the manager and club’s wage structure. However, Sessegnon could certainly be used down the left wing for Spurs as Christian Eriksen currently occupies that role and is perfectly capable of moving inside.
As for Manchester City they only signed Danilo and Benjamin Mendy over the summer so it would be a surprise to see them make a move for Ryan Sessegnon. Likewise, they have Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling performing well down the left wing.
Liverpool could certainly be interested in the Fulham star. Jurgen Klopp hasn’t had a good left-back at the club since arriving at Anfield, even moving James Milner from centre midfield to that role for the majority of last season. Though youngster Andy Robertson has been performing well since being given a chance there in recent weeks. Klopp isn’t afraid to spend big money on defenders either – after splashing out £75 million on Virgil van Dijk back in January.
Ryan Sessegnon is currently under contract at Craven Cottage until 2020 so it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if Fulham were to cash in on the 17-year-old this summer, whether they are promoted to the Premier League or not.
We’ll have to wait and see if we’re going to make a move for Sessegnon over the summer or not, but my early feeling is that if Fulham are going to demand £50 million then we won’t make an offer as we have other priorities.
