Transfer news: Manchester United allegedly ready to sell defenders

United’s transfer business has been slow this summer. This could be about to change as reports are filtering in on two potential sales.

Jose Mourinho has been vocal about Manchester United’s lack of signings this summer. With the Glazers tightening the purse strings, the Portuguese coach may have to sell before he can buy.

Last season, United’s defence was not up to scratch. Too often, mistakes were made and preventable goals were conceded.

United have been linked to a wide variety of defenders in the off-season. Diogo Dalot has been picked up, but is clearly one for the future. The Red Devils have been linked with Harry Maguire of Leicester, and Toby Alderweireld of Spurs, as well as Yerry Mina of Barcelona.

These three represent more immediate-impact targets, but neither of them are available, cheaply. In order to fund these purchases, Mourinho is looking to clear out his existing defensive core. Daley Blind has already returned to Ajax, and others are looking like they may follow suit.

Rojo to Everton, Smalling to Wolves

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First on the chopping block is Argentinean centre-back Marcos Rojo. Rojo was on the periphery of the squad following his knee injury in 2016. He never really won back his place, and with the arrivals of Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof, he fell further down the pecking order.

Rumours are that Everton are willing to stump up the cash for the £30 million rated defender, and that Mourinho has agreed to the sale. A major stumbling block might be Rojo’s wages. The defender is on £120,000/week at United, and may not be willing to take a pay cut to join Marco Silva’s side.

Everton have already spent a large chunk of cash on Richarlison, and Rojo would represent another major outlay as Silva looks to refresh the squad after the dourness of the Sam Allardyce era.

Meanwhile, Wolves have paused their raid on the Portuguese league to turn their attention to Chris Smalling. The centre-back was left out of Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad, and has come under fire for his unsteady performances at the back.

He would, however, add plenty of Premier League experience to the newly promoted side. Betfair have slashed the odds on Smalling joining Wolves from 33/1 to evens, fuelling speculation.

If either or both of these players leave United, it will open the door for the arrival of a new centre-back, and it is unlikely that United would miss either of the departing pair.

The early close of the transfer window has left Mourinho with a lot to do and very little time to get it done.