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Three more free agents Manchester United could target after Christian Eriksen

sportsmole.co.uk, 15 June 2022, 10:37
Manchester United have reportedly offered a contract to Christian Eriksen, with the Denmark international set to leave Brentford on a free transfer at the end of June.

New Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag is said to be a huge admirer of the attacker, who spent the second half of last season with the Bees after arriving from Inter Milan.

However, the 20-time English champions are expected to face competition from a host of other clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, who are allegedly keen on a reunion with the 30-year-old.

Having had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator device fitted after suffering a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020, Eriksen left former club Inter Milan, moving to Thomas Frank's side in January, and he scored once and provided four assists in 11 Premier League appearances in the second half of last season.

Man United could spend big on Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong this summer, meanwhile, which might lead to the club entering the free agent market to boost their squad this summer.

Here, Sports Mole picks out three free transfers that the 20-time English champions could potentially target after Eriksen.

Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona)

Ousmane Dembele's contract with Barcelona is due to expire at the end of June, and there are still no signs that he could sign an extension with the Catalan giants.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed that a contract offer remains on the table, but the France international is seemingly heading for the exit door this summer.

"Dembele has an offer to stay, but we have no news that he's accepted it. We haven't had a reply from him," said Laporta recently said when asked for an update on the 25-year-old.

Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea both continue to be linked with the World Cup winner, but Man United are also said to be long-term admirers of the former Rennes youngster.

Dembele made 32 appearances for Barcelona during the 2021-22 campaign, scoring twice and providing 13 assists in all competitions, and there is no question that he will be one of the most attractive free agents on the market if he does decide to walk away from Xavi's side at the end of June.

Andrea Belotti (Torino)

Andrea Belotti's contract at Torino is due to expire at the end of June, and the Italy international is preparing to leave the Italian outfit on a free transfer, which has alerted a number of clubs.

The 28-year-old enjoyed a productive 2021-22 campaign for his Italian club, scoring eight times and registering one assist in 23 appearances in all competitions.

Meanwhile, he has scored 113 goals and registered 28 assists in 251 appearances for Torino since making the move to the club from Palermo in August 2015.

Belotti's agent is believed to be in talks with a number of clubs, and he could be the ideal signing for Man United, who were not prepared to meet Benfica's asking price for Darwin Nunez.

The Red Devils want to sign a new forward this summer following Edinson Cavani's departure, and Belotti could be the ideal acquisition, as he would have no problem playing a rotational role at Old Trafford.

Corentin Tolisso (Bayern Munich)

Corentin Tolisso is preparing to leave Bayern Munich on a free transfer at the end of June, and the France international is believed to be keen to make the move to the Premier League.

Injuries harmed the 27-year-old last term, restricting him to just 22 appearances in all competitions, while he provided three goals and three assists in 2021-22.

The midfielder has made 118 appearances for Bayern since arriving from Lyon in July 2017 and will be desperate to prove that his injury problems are behind him at his next club.

Man United arguably need to sign two central midfielders this summer, and if the club decide to spend big on Frenkie de Jong, then there might not be too much money left over for another.

As a result, Tolisso could be the ideal signing for the 20-time English champions, with the Frenchman recently insisting that he can return to his best form after a difficult spell.

"I am convinced that [my issues] are more psychological than physical," he said recently. "It's more in my head than with my body. I worked with a mental coach to put words to what I was going through.

"Now, I'm 5,000% convinced I can get back to a very high level physically. I'm going to do a one-month training period so that I'm ready for the start of next season. I want to go play a major role in a club. To continue winning trophies... I know what I'm capable of. I know to what point a change in my life and in my surroundings will do me good."

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