The Athletic. The Athletic. Hello, I'm Mark Chapman. Welcome to the Athletic Football Podcast.

Adam Crafton is with us in Vienna. Coming up, we'll hear about Manchester United's

recruitment plans for the summer with Laurie Whitwell,

our Italian football writer James Horncastle will join us from Portugal where he was meant to be

covering Italy in the World Cup Player Final and Liam Timmy will join us to discuss the

contenders shortlisted to become owners of Chelsea.

Let's start with Manchester United, then Laurie Whitwell covers the club for the athletic and joins us now.

So on their transfer targets then this summer, a striker is top of their list, is that right?

Well it's on their list, it's a priority on the list, I would say.

The two midfielders that have been described to me,

I would say personally, perhaps a more pressing need

just because it's been an area of the pitch

that hasn't properly been addressed for quite a while,

but the striker thing is a live issue because, you know, Edison Cavani is going to go,

Mason Greenwood's unavailable, you had Chris Gironaldo this season. It does look like he's going to stay on for another season, but he's going to be turning 38 during the season.

Anthony Marshals form has dropped off. He's on loan at Severe.

Marcus Rashford, there's doubts about him as well so you know

the idea that united are okay in the forwards area which looked like it was the case last

summer has kind of dissipated. So one striker and two midfielders I mean is that is that

financially viable? Quite possibly not I mean we've seen previously in transfer windows

that Manchester United have gone in with intentions to get a few players in.

I mean, last someone was actually probably one of the more productive ones for them.

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