Ruben Amorim could be handed some new players to work with at Man United this summer (Image: George Wood, Getty Images)
Manchester United and Ruben Amorim could be eyeing some superstars with attractive release clauses in their contracts as they plan for summer reinforcements. The Portuguese head coach’s debut season has been far from impressive. Since taking over from Erik ten Hag, Amorim has managed to secure only six victories in top-flight matches, five draws, and a staggering 11 losses.
His team is on track for their worst-ever Premier League finish, currently sitting at a disappointing 14th place. If not for a potential Europa League victory – with a semi-final match against Athletic Club looming – this season would be considered a complete write-off. As the summer transfer window approaches, it’s clear that fresh talent is needed. It’s likely that the Red Devils will provide their 40-year-old manager with new resources, and Express Sport has highlighted some stars whose release clauses could be triggered before they make Old Trafford their new home.
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Liam Delap
Ipswich Town’s standout No. 9 was acquired for an initial £15million in the summer of 2024 to help the Tractor Boys in their Premier League struggle. However, once their relegation to the Championship is confirmed, he could reportedly leave for just twice that amount.
Liam Delap, with his 12 Premier League goals, has caught the attention of top English clubs. The former Manchester City academy star’s impressive all-around play has made him a sought-after player. Earlier this month, it was revealed that if his current team is relegated, a £30m release clause in the five-year contract he signed a year ago will be activated.
The Suffolk-based team is essentially facing relegation, being 14 points away from safety with only five games left. According to reports from the Mail, United might seize the opportunity and secure a bargain deal. Rasmus Hojlund, the current first-choice striker, hasn’t lived up to his hefty £72m price tag, scoring only 24 goals in 88 matches, which isn’t satisfactory for a club of United’s stature.
Despite his past association with the rival Cityzens, who reportedly have a £40m buy-back agreement on the 22-year-old, Delap could be the one to lead Amorim’s line next season.
Delap has been excellent for the Tractor Boys this term (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Jeremie Frimpong
A crucial but currently dysfunctional part of Amorim’s system at Old Trafford is the use of marauding wingbacks. At his previous club, Sporting CP, wide play contributed to the Portuguese manager’s two historic league titles.
Regrettably, the combination of Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui, newcomer Patrick Dorgu, and often-injured Luke Shaw has not been up to par. As a result, young talents like Harry Amass, who performed commendably in their recent 1-0 loss to Wolves, are being given opportunities.
Few wing-backs in Europe can match the blistering speed and technical prowess of Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong, another former City academy star who could be on the move this summer due to a favourable release clause. The Dutchman was instrumental in his German employer’s unbeaten Bundesliga campaign last year, but his £33.5m release clause has attracted a host of interested parties, including United’s arch-rivals Liverpool.
If the Red Devils want to make a statement, then splashing out for Frimpong could do just that, and talks held in 2023 and reported by the MEN suggest he is firmly on their radar.
Frimpong has thrived in the Bundesliga (Image: Getty Images)
Dean Huijsen
Though he showed little prior to his £12.6m transfer to Bournemouth in 2024, Spanish international Dean Huijsen is now widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s, if not European football’s, most promising defensive talents. Born in the Netherlands, Huijsen began his football career in Spain before making a move to Juventus in 2021. By 2024, he had made it to the club’s reserves and secured a loan transfer to Roma.
Despite only playing 14 times and scoring two goals in the Italian capital and having just one senior appearance for Juventus, he made a summer switch. This season, however, Huijsen has been a rock at the back for Bournemouth, leading a defence that has let in only 40 goals and providing a solid foundation for an unexpected push for European football.
It’s no surprise that many top clubs have set their sights on Huijsen. Manchester United, who are desperately in need of a centre-back – with 20-year-old academy graduate Tyler Fredricson filling the role in their last match – could be set to trigger the defender’s £50m release clause, according to reports from Spanish outlet Relevo.
Huijsen has impressed with Bournemouth (Image: Getty Images)
Matheus Cunha
Wolves, the latest club to defeat United, are likely to lose their Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha in the summer transfer window. Cunha arrived at Molineux in 2023 on an initial loan deal, which became permanent for a fee thought to be around £44m. While the 25-year-old initially lacked a goalscoring edge and confidence, he has since become one of the Premier League’s most feared attackers.
This season, Cunha gave United a hard time with Wolves, leading them to a 2-0 victory at home against Amorim’s side in late 2024 before winning the free-kick that Pablo Sarabia converted to seal an unprecedented double over the weekend.
According to the Telegraph, these performances have made his £62.5m release clause a price United are willing to pay in instalments, as they desperately search for a skilful attacking outlet.
The Brazilian forward is Wolves’ talisman (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Victor Osimhen
Manchester United‘s need for a lethal attacking force is well known, with Hojlund’s underwhelming performances and Joshua Zirkzee not finding the back of the net as often as fans would like. One player who has been linked with a move not only to Old Trafford but also to Stamford Bridge and the Emirates is Nigerian sensation Victor Osimhen.
The 26-year-old emerged as one of Europe’s top strikers when he helped his parent club Napoli to their Scudetto success in 2023. After a falling out last summer, he seemed set for the English Premier League with Chelsea and Arsenal among the interested parties. However, no deal was finalised, and he ended up on loan at Galatasaray.
When the Super Eagles star returns to Serie A in the coming months, it is believed that a permanent transfer away is preferred. United are reportedly interested and could secure a deal for Osimhen through his release clause for just £64m, according to Sky Germany.
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