Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag remains intent of bolstering two key positions during the ongoing transfer window, Manchester Evening News claim.
The Red Devils have been busy this month with the purchases of Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen as well as Lisandro Martinez. They are likely to be more signings before the deadline.
Ten Hag has personally acknowledged that he is eyeing a deep-lying midfielder, and Manchester Evening News report that Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong remains the main target for now.
De Jong has yet to accept personal terms to join the Red Devils, but Ten Hag has earmarked the 25-year-old as the ‘right player’, United are holding out for to reinvent their midfield next season.
Aside from a new midfielder, the Red Devils boss is eyeing a forward as a priority. The club have recently been linked with the services of highly-rated Red Bull Salzburg striker Benjamin Sesko.
United could be set for a busy end to the transfer window
United were expected to spend big on new signings this summer as part of the rebuild, but Martinez is currently the only big-money purchase made by the club.
Ten Hag would have preferred a few more marquee purchases by now, but things have not been smooth. They recently agreed an initial fee of around £63 million for De Jong, but he is reluctant to leave the Blaugrana.
The Netherlands star wants the Catalan giants to pay his deferred wages first, but there are also claims that he does not prefer United due to the lack of Champions League football. Ten Hag has been informed.
Hence, United are facing a losing battle in the player’s pursuit, and could be better off looking at alternatives. Fabian Ruiz and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic have recently been linked with possible moves to the club.
Meanwhile, Antony has been United’s main attacking target for weeks, but they face a difficult situation in luring him. The player has given the go-ahead for the move, but Ajax have continued to raise his price.
Antony was valued in the region of £67 million a couple of weeks ago, but they have now upped the fee to £84m. This could be the reason behind United’s recent interest in landing Sesko from Salzburg.
The teenage sensation made 17 goal contributions for the Austrian heavyweights last term. He could be a leading striker in future, but won’t come on the cheap with a price tag of £55m.
Hence, no deal will be straightforward for United. The hierarchy could have a busy end to the transfer window as they look to pursue Ten Hag’s targets as well as offload several unwanted players.
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