Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku have complicated Manchester United's summer transfer plan. Two players manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was expecting to have in his squad next season are keen to leave Old Trafford. Pogba has declared his intention to find a "new challenge" amid interest from Real Madrid and Juventus, while Lukaku would be open to joining Antonio Conte at Inter Milan if the opportunity presents itself.
Sources have told ESPN FC that United do not want to sell Pogba, who has three years left on his contract and would command at least a £120 million transfer fee, and it would take a hefty bid of around £80 million from Inter to sign Lukaku.
But we also know that, according to ESPN FC's Mark Ogden, Solskjaer has been given just £100 million to strengthen his Manchester United squad this summer -- about £70m has already been spent on Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James -- with further spending likely to be dependent on money raised by player sales. If -- and it is a big if -- United sold both want-away stars this summer, Solskjaer could find himself with an extra £200 million to reshape his squad. So let's play director of football (as if United had one of those) and look at which players Solskjaer could splash the cash to get Manchester United back on track.
Sources have told ESPN FC that United would explore the possibility of signing Eriksen if Pogba forced a move away. Eriksen, who has proved himself in the Premier League, has one year left on his contract, has made it clear he is open to leaving Tottenham this summer and, crucially, has the skill set to replace Pogba's creativity in midfield. The Frenchman scored 16 goals in all competitions last season and contributed nine assists in the league. His sale would cover the cost of Eriksen, who has also been linked with Real Madrid, but it would mean negotiating with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, which is never an easy process.
United are pursuing Bruno Fernandes regardless of what happens with Pogba, and sources have told ESPN FC that informal talks have already taken place in London. Last season, the Portugal international scored 31 times in 50 games for Sporting Lisbon -- numbers that will impress Solskjaer as he looks to add more goals from midfield. Sporting Lisbon are resigned to losing the 24-year-old this summer and, after Manchester City, Tottenham and Liverpool all distanced themselves from a move, United would be in pole position if they step up their interest.