Erik ten Hag is desperate to make a splash in this summer’s transfer window and Manr United, still in the midst of a tedious takeover saga, are braced for a busy few months.
The summer transfer window is now officially open – and Manchester United have big plans.
Erik ten Hag started phase one of his rebuild strongly, ending the Red Devils’ six-year trophy drought and securing Champions League football in his first season. But look at their noisy, treble-winning neighbours and it’s clear to see that there’s still a long way to go until United can have anything to shout about.
As ever, the Red Devils are being linked with countless names. It all comes amid the club’s ongoing takeover saga which the Glazers are orchestrating, trying to sell for the maximum price and end their 17-year stay. Whether it be Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani or Sir Jim Ratcliffe succeeding them, they’ll have Ten Hag in their ear pleading for new signings – and perhaps pushing for exits.
Ten Hag finally gets De Jong
Manchester United want to sign Frenkie de Jong. Since he first learned that he was getting the job, Erik ten Hag set his sights on a reunion with De Jong, who he worked with at Ajax and enjoyed a great deal success.
A huge fan of the Dutch midfielder’s profile, Ten Hag instructed the United hierarchy to begin a transfer assault last summer. Barcelona were open to selling him, later agreeing a fee with the Red Devils worth £63million. But it was De Jong who dug his heels in and scuppered Ten Hag’s chances, prompting United to shell out £70m on Casemiro.
The Netherlands international, 26, has made it clear that he still wants to stay at Barca after winning the LaLiga title last season. But the club’s financial predicament could ultimately force him out. De Jong is owed millions in deferred wages and if the same behind-the-scenes issues persist at the Camp Nou, it might finally be enough to convince him to join Ten Hag’s revolution.
Kane race won
As much as Ten Hag will feel that he needs Frenkie de Jong to improve United, they need a striker even more. The Red Devils’ lack of a reliable goalscorer last term proved to be their Achilles’ heel on too many occasions and Harry Kane is the man who can surely solve their problems in the penalty area.
Scorer of a whopping 30 league goals in a weak Tottenham team, few would argue that Kane would instantly move Ten Hag’s side up a level. The England captain is once again mulling over his future, with United in the hunt alongside Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, who also need a new No.9.
Yes, Victor Osimhen and Randal Kolo Muani would be good options, too, but it’s Kane who Ten Hag wants more.
Maguire moves on
Speaking of Tottenham, they could come to United’s aid in another respect: signing Harry Maguire. Despite being a sound presence whenever called upon last season, it’s becoming evident that the Red Devils captain has no future under Ten Hag, who’s preferred four other players at centre-back.
Maguire has been urged to leave by supporters and pundits alike, a sad indictment of his Old Trafford career after a solid first two seasons following his £80m move from Leicester in 2019. It’s fair to say that the 30-year-old need a fresh start.
Although he lacks pace and sharpness in some situation, Maguire’s ability on the ball and leadership could be ideal for Tottenham’s new-look defence.