The proposed exit of Andreas Pereira could spark up to seven Manchester United first-team departures, according to reports.
Pereira, who has not yet featured under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this season, has been linked with a move to Serie A side Lazio in recent days.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, United are open to letting Pereira leave this summer and Lazio have already made a loan with option to buy offer for the Brazilian midfielder’s services.
Romano notes that no deal has yet been reached between the two clubs concerning the payment of his salary.
News of Pereira’s possible exit has elicited a positive reaction within the United fanbase but there are other surplus players that the club should also be looking to offload before the October 5 transfer deadline.
And Evening Standard journalist James Robson has suggested that the possible exit of Pereira could ‘kick off a host of departures’ from United with Solskjaer making it clear who he no longer sees as part of his first-team plans.
Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones, Sergio Romero, Diogo Dalot and Jessie Lingard are all mentioned as players that could be heading for the Old Trafford exit door.
Of course, United’s biggest issue in removing their forlorn surplus talent is finding buyers willing to meet their demands.
The likes of Rojo and Jones have featured sporadically in recent years and not shown any signs of consistency that could be beneficial for a new club.
Despite Pereira’s flaws, he can still be effective within a system and a move to Lazio for at least a season is a good outcome for all parties.
Meanwhile, Romero’s departure is surely inevitable in the coming days as United cannot afford to keep three highly-paid goalkeepers on the wage bill and the Argentine will be looking to seek more regular opportunities.
Dalot has been overlooked time and time again by Solskjaer in favour of Timothy Fosu-Mensah and his days at Old Trafford are starting to look numbered.
It is extremely unlikely Solskjaer will be able to offload all the players he does not deem valuable to him, particularly when there has been little interest in almost two months the transfer window has been open.
But we do expect to see some activity concerning departures from the club in the coming days as the Norwegian looks to trim his bloated squad.
Smalling, Rojo & Jones could all go.
Romero doesn’t want to be 3rd choice.
Dalot has barely had a look in.
Lingard is a more sensitive situation with Solskjaer still hoping he can turn it around #MUFC #transfers— James Robson (@jamesrobsonES) September 27, 2020
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