Manchester United make Englishman priority unless Havertz is available

Manchester United have reportedly made Jack Grealish their absolute No. 1 transfer priority this summer unless Bayer Leverkusen wonderkid Kai Havertz becomes available. 

The Red Devils are keen to bolster their squad when the window reopens with a long list of targets in their sights, despite the unknown financial impact of coronavirus.

According to reports in England, the Red Devils have focused their attention on the Aston Villa captain. The 24-year-old has three years left on his current deal at Villa Park and has been the club's standout player in their first season back in the Premier League with seven goals and six assists. 

However, as things stand, Dean Smith's side sit in the relegation zone, two points adrift of safety but they do have a game in hand, the clash with Sheffield United which will get the season back underway on June 17. 

There have been figures of anything between £50 million and £80 million suggested for Grealish, but relegation for Villa would surely lower the Birmingham club's asking price. It is also claimed that the Red Devils are more keen on Grealish than his close friend and fellow English playmaker James Maddison who has been brilliant for Leicester City this season.

Leicester's No 10 has six goals and three assists to his name in the Premier League this term as Brendan Rodgers' side chase a top-four finish but it seems that Manchester United have moved on from their initial priority target to Grealish. 

However, the Red Devils are likely to divert their attention away from Grealish should it become clear they have a genuine chance of signing Havertz. 

The Bayer Leverkusen starlet is wanted by a host of top clubs across Europe, including Manchester United and their domestic rivals Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea. 

Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Juventus and PSG are also interested in the versatile attacking midfielder and it has been reported that Real Madrid have already seen a £71 million bid for the 20-year-old rejected by Bayer Leverkusen that also included a loan back option. 

The German wonderkid is enjoying a stunning season in front of goal, becoming the first player to score 35 Bundesliga goals before turning 21. It is believed that Bayer Leverkusen will reject anything below £90 million for their academy graduate who is being touted as the best German talent of the century.

Elsewhere, Manchester United continue to be linked with Jadon Sancho but could lose out to Liverpool as the Reds have made the youngster their priority after missing out on Timo Werner.

The Borussia Dortmund and England winger has been exceptional in the Bundesliga and would cost in excess of £100 million to lure back to Manchester, three years after he left rivals City. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is also hoping to strengthen his defence as he looks to challenge Manchester City and Liverpool for the title next campaign. Serie A pairing Kalidou Koulibaly and Milan Skriniar are long-term targets and it is thought the club could still go in for either of them to provide further competition to line up alongside skipper Harry Maguire. 

But the Old Trafford side also know they will need to raise some cash to help fund a potential summer spree so Alexis Sanchez, Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo are among the players set to be sold.

Featured image credits - The Mirror