Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has had a mixed transfer window so far. Bruno Fernandes is set to be announced after the club finally struck an agreement with Sporting Lisbon. But their hunt for a striker is continuing to drag on.
United always had Fernandes as their priority for the January transfer window, despite passing on the chance to sign the 25-year-old during the summer.
It initially looked as if the Portugal international would sign on the dotted line early on.
But United found Sporting tough negotiators and, only on Wednesday, confirmed they’d agreed a fee for the midfielder.
Since Marcus Rashford’s injury United have been looking at strikers with several names linked, including Edinson Cavani, Odion Ighalo and Islam Slimani.
But they’re still yet to get anyone in.
It’s not for a lack of trying, however. Express Sport now looks at three transfer targets who have turned down the Red Devils this winter.
KEY STORY: The role Ed Woodward played in agreeing Bruno Fernandes transfer to Man Utd
Jean-Kevin Augustin
New Leeds signing Jean-Kevin Augustin turned down United because his entourage thought the club were ‘too reactive’ in making a move.
“We all know that Leeds have pulled off a very impressive signing in Jean-Kevin Augustin from RB Leipzig,” The Athletic reporter David Ornstein said on the Ornstein and Chapman Podcast.
“I did quite a lot of digging around this and established that a number of clubs were interested and keen to sign him.
“One of those was Manchester United, Crystal Palace had been keen in the summer, Brighton recently and also Newcastle.
“Manchester United were keen but the very clear message that I go was that they and also other clubs were all too reactive on this.”
Emre Can
Earlier in the month, United looked seriously hard at landing Emre Can from Juventus.
But, when they tested the waters with an enquiry, they were knocked back.
They learned that the Germany international was reluctant to join out of loyalty to Liverpool, who he spent four years at earlier in his career.
And Can now appears on the cusp of joining Borussia Dortmund.