Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has not been shy in transfer dealings since his arrival at the club back in 2019. The Norwegian has appeared to show any player not fully committed to the cause the exit door, most notably, Romelu Lukaku.
As the summer transfer window is fast-approaching, Solskjaer looks set to continue his ruthless approach to recruitment reportedly putting as many as five first team players up for sale.
According to Metro, United are set to slash their wage bill as well as raise funds for a proposed move for Borussia Dortmund’s star-man Jadon Sancho.
The first name on the exit list is the grossly over-paid and under performing Alexis Sanchez who earns an eye-watering £380k a week.
The vast amount of money Sanchez earns from United will likely be the biggest obstacle the Reds face when trying to find any potential suitors. However, should the United hierarchy prove successful in their pursuit to offload the Chilean, United would free up £18.2m a year.
Alongside Sanchez on Ole’s axe list is thought to be midfield pair Jesse Lingard and Andreas Pereira.
Despite both players being offered ample opportunities to showcase what they’re capable of, the pair have failed to impress this campaign which could see the club look to move them on in the summer.
It is believed, according to The Sun, that Newcastle United are already considering Lingard ahead of their impending new Saudi owner’s take-over.
Despite Lingard’s dramatic dip in form, it is understood that United will not settle for less than £20m for the English midfielder.
Further down the list is centre-back pairing Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, according to The Mirror.
Smalling is believed to be a target for Italian side Roma which is where he has spent this season out on loan. When questioned about the English centre-back Roma Sporting Director Gianluca Pertrachi said the club will do “everything they can” to secure Smalling beyond his loan spell, as quoted by Manchester Evening News.
With as many as five United first-team players looking to be shipped out of the club in an attempt to raise funds to secure the transfer of Jadon Sancho, United will also be looking to fulfil the young star’s wage demands, which are believed to be within the region of £170k a week.
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