Wilcox in talks with Manchester United to sign £60m winger

Manchester United are one of the most decorated clubs in world football, but have not won the show’s biggest prize since Sir Alex Ferguson retired 13 years ago.

It has been whispered very, very quietly, but the Red Devils are inching towards long-lost territory under manager Michael Carrick, and have certainly shown that they have the quality to break out in the Premier League at their best since the much-maligned sacking of manager Ruben Amorim in January.

They may have made breakthroughs, but Old Trafford have experienced false dawns before and the lack of progress so far in the transfer market will raise fears that United’s journey with Carrick will be dashed before the start of the season.

Of course, Ederson is already preparing, and INEOS has set its sights on several new forwards to strengthen the squad that will challenge for this title.

Man United in talks to sign new forward

Can Manchester United challenge for silver in the Premier League and Champions League next season? That should certainly be the goal, especially if Jason Wilcox and his suit team pull off the right moves this summer.

United need a midfielder or two, but they also need more firepower in attack. Recent exploratory talks with West Ham over the transfer of Crisencio Somerville highlight where the Old Trafford side’s focus currently lies.

Somerville was proven in the Prem and can certainly deliver now that the Hammers have fallen to the Championship. However, he only scored five goals last season, and it remains to be seen whether he will be good enough for the United team.

According to TEAMtalk, Rafael Leao has attracted the attention of Manchester United this summer, with INEOS hoping to beat Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign the Portuguese winger.

United have been approached by his agent Jorge Mendes about finding a new club for the 27-year-old, who is determined to change things up this summer. It won’t be easy, but this is definitely a manageable move, although Arsenal and Barcelona are also keen.

Leo is one of Italy’s best wingers and Amorim’s Milan will be hoping to raise £60m for his signature, a shrewd sum in today’s market.

Why Manchester United want wingers like Leo and Somerville

Manchester United have hardly ridden the crest of a wave since Fergie’s decision to leave, but they have consistently won silver medals and adding a proven winner like Leo to the squad could help Carrick return United to their former status at the top of the Premier League.

Leo hasn’t always had the best baseline at AC Milan, but he has shown his undoubted first-class quality time and time again. Analyst Ben Mattinson calls him “one of the best leftists in the world.”

Like Somerville, Leo is dynamic, versatile and naturally clinical in front of goal, but although he waxes and wanes as a free-scoring threat, he has been described by Spain’s Nico Williams as “unstoppable”.

The Portugal international was converted into a centre-forward by coach Massimiliano Allegri last season and the 26-year-old has started to impress in Serie A, scoring nine goals in 23 games and creating 10 other big chances.

In a United team with playmakers like Bruno Fernandes, he could hit the heights more prolifically. Somerville is also a possibility, but United need to get their transfer strategy right and Leo could be cut short.

Somerville is a talented young forward. He stood out in the Premier League last season despite West Ham’s defeat, and then backed up his performance with an impressive performance at the World Cup with Oranje, but his shot was saved in a penalty shootout against Morocco in the last-32, ending the tournament.

However, Leao will indeed provide a higher quality, dynamic and versatile threat. If United win this race, they will have an even better chance of winning the big prize next year.