Manchester United can manage only one high-profile signing after the purchase of Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount this summer, according to Daily Mail.
The Red Devils are currently prioritising a move for Mount. Their opening bid of £40 million was rejected by the Blues, but they are planning a fresh proposal of over £50m.
Amidst this, Daily Mail report that United will have to choose between a top striker and a goalkeeper. They can’t afford both this summer with their limited budget.
United have already ended their interest in Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane as he is too expensive.
The club have no plans of spending £100m on the 29-year-old while they are also reluctant to extend into a prolonged transfer saga with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.
Hence, it appears the club are looking for a new striker for a reasonable cost. Meanwhile, Jordan Pickford and Andre Onana are possible options to replace David de Gea in goal.
Onana would be the perfect fit, having played under Ten Hag at Ajax, but he won’t come on the cheap with Inter Milan likely to demand around £45m for his departure.
United need player sales to boost summer transfer budget
Mount has been earmarked as Ten Hag’s priority target for the creative central midfield role.
Chelsea value him in the region of £70m, but United should be optimistic of signing him for less. The Blues are looking to balance their books by June 30 and could be desperate for funds.
It is highly likely that Mount will sign for the club before the end of the month, but Ten Hag will be hoping for another three to four additions to the squad during the transfer window.
As things stand, the club can only afford a striker or a goalkeeper after Mount’s arrival, but the scenario could change if they manage to recoup funds from player sales in the coming weeks.
That is far easier said than done. United could part ways with the likes of Harry Maguire, Donny van de Beek, Anthony Elanga, Eric Bailly, Alex Telles and Anthony Martial this summer.
However, there are no assurances that clubs will meet their asking price while high wages are another stumbling block. United could be compelled to consider loan deals for some players.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com