The extent of how much Manchester United's failure to qualify for the Champions League has harmed their chances of landing players this summer remains to be seen.
But the likelihood of United signing coveted transfer target Jadon Sancho appears to be diminishing by the day. It has now been claimed that the Reds' swoop for the 19-year-old is 'in tatters', with the fact they're playing Europa League football next season proving detrimental.
As with much of their transfer business this summer, United will have to be smart and delve into other areas of the market.
The club want to sign young homegrown players, but that may not be possible — and signing a right-sided forward is imperative. So, who should they target if a move for Sancho proves impossible?
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Paulo Dybala
The Juventus winger wouldn't appear to fit United's transfer target criteria, though he's certainly the calibre of player many supporters want to see at Old Trafford.
Once dubbed the natural heir to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, Dybala is now 25. And after netting just five times this season, he's seen his progress stall a little. It's been claimed United could make a £85million move to lure him away from the Serie A champions in the summer, who may be willing to sell.
Dybala was spotted in London this week and if he can rediscover his best form would be a quality, albeit costly, addition to Solskjaer's side.
Nabir Fekir
Fekir seemed all set to move to Liverpool last summer but the deal failed to materialise.
And though he's been overshadowed at Lyon in the past season by former United player Memphis Depay and ex-Celtic striker Moussa Dembele, he's still be a prize asset for most European clubs.
Fekir can play centrally, either in the No.10 role, as a striker, or out wide and his price might have dropped enough for United to make a move in the summer, as a Sancho alternative.
Timo Werner
The German international would probably fit more as a Romelu Lukaku replacement than a Jadon Sancho alternative if he came to United, as he's more comfortable playing as an out-and-out striker. So if United lose Lukaku as well as Alexis Sanchez, they should consider turning to Werner.
The RB Leipzig striker is another player who would cost a pretty penny — upwards of £60million — but has hinted of his desire to wear United red in the past.
"Playing in the Premier League is a dream for me," he told FourFourTwo in April last year. "I would like to play for two or three clubs, and Manchester United are one of those clubs. But probably not in the next few years – later, when my English is a little bit better! I’m very comfortable at RB Leipzig, though."
Werner is quick, direct and has an eye for goal — and he's still only 23.
Gareth Bale
Is this the summer when Bale to United finally happens? The Welshman was a target for a long time but is now approaching 30 and it's understood United are not as keen as they once were.
So despite the fact Bale prefers to cut inside from the right flank — which in theory would make him a good fit for United — it's unlikely that he'll make the move this summer.
Perhaps United might be persuaded should Real Madrid allow Bale out on loan.
Callum Hudson-Odoi
Hudson-Odoi is a player who United have tracked, as a young, talented Englishman, natural on the right flank.
Injury has brought an early finish to the 18-year-old's season, but it has still been a breakthrough campaign for Hudson-Odoi after making his Chelsea and England debuts.
Bayern Munich almost snared him from Chelsea in January, but United should press on with their interest with Hudson-Odoi as he's as similar to Sancho in terms of profile and potential as they're likely to find in the market.
Kai Havertz
Interest in the Bayer Leverkusen attacker is likely to be high this summer, with his value shooting up following an outstanding Bundesliga season. He's scored an impressive 18 goals in all competitions this term — six more than Sancho — to trigger inevitable transfer links with Juventus, Bayern Munich and Arsenal.
The 19-year-old can play on the right or in the No.10 position and his talent rivals Sancho's. The biggest issue might be the price, with Leverkusen set to demand an exorbitant fee if they're to let him go.
