Erik ten Hag may decide to raid the free agents pool in search of a bargain (Image: GETTY)
Manchester United could decide to raid the free agents market to sign a handful of former targets without needing to pay transfer fees. The Red Devils have been tipped to spend heavily this summer but Erik ten Hag might be keen to save some money by exploring a few bargain options.
Express Sport takes a look at the former United targets who have been released by their clubs and will be available on free transfers...
Adrien Rabiot was released by Juventus at the end of last season (Image: GETTY)
Adrien Rabiot
United were linked with Rabiot during his time at Juventus but a move never materialised and he ended up staying in Turin. It remains to be seen if a deal will be resurrected after he was released by the Italian giants at the end of last season.
The 29-year-old still has a few years left in the tank and represented France at Euro 2024, playing in all but one of their matches in Germany.
Nicolas Pepe
Arsenal managed to beat United to Pepe's signature in 2019, with the Gunners smashing their transfer record to snap him up. However, the move did not work out as they would have hoped and Pepe joined Trabzonspor on a free transfer in the summer of 2023.
He is available for free after being released by the Turkish club but United will almost certainly be targeting a higher calibre of player.
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Ryan Sessegnon
Sessegnon was among the hottest properties in English football when he left Fulham to join Tottenham five years ago. However, a string of injuries have stunted his development and he is now a free agent after being deemed surplus to requirements.
United would be taking a massive punt by chasing a move for Sessegnon, with his sky-high potential now a distant memory following a torrid spell in north London.
Mats Hummels
United's pursuit of Hummels in 2014 was highly publicised and the player himself revealed that he was very close to joining the Red Devils. Fast forward a decade and there is an opportunity for a deal to be done without a transfer fee needing to be paid following his release from Borussia Dortmund.
That said, the veteran defender is past his best at 35 years of age and there are plenty of better options for United to pursue.
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Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting was linked with United as recently as January (Image: GETTY)
Marco Reus
Another player to have been released by Dortmund, Reus is still searching for his next club as he prepares to move for the first time in his career. He has been heavily linked with the MLS but there is still time for United to swoop for his signature ahead of the competition.
The former Germany international would be a valuable presence in the dressing room but, like Hummels, is over the hill and best avoided.
Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting
A more realistic target for United could be Choupo-Moting, who was linked with a loan move to Old Trafford as recently as January. He would give the Red Devils a physical presence off the bench, but there would be concerns about whether his legs would cope with the rigours of Premier League football.
The 35-year-old could be a last resort for United if they fail to sign any other strikers before the end of the window.