Erik ten Hag has already lined up his first two signings if he becomes Manchester United boss.
The Ajax manager is the leading contender to be named Ralf Rangnick's successor after the club interviewed him over the vacancy. United have now spoken to Ten Hag, Mauricio Pochettino and Spain boss Luis Enrique, but the Dutchman is the favourite to land the job with the Red Devils able to trigger his release from Ajax - as reported by Mirror Football's Simon Mullock.
United initially believed they would have to pay Ajax just under £5m as compensation for the final 12 months of Ten Hag’s contract once they made an official approach. But Mirror Football can reveal that the 52-year-old inserted a get-out clause in the deal he signed a year ago - and that it can be triggered for just €2m (£1.68m).
Paris St Germain are unlikely to demand compensation for Pochettino should the Argentine leave at the end of the season, but it will cost PSG around £17m to axe the former Tottenham boss and his staff - which put Ten Hag in pole position.
Should Manchester United pay Erik ten Hag's release clause? Comment below
Ten Hag is keen on a move to Old Trafford despite the Dutch side's best efforts to keep him in the Netherlands. Ajax chief executive Edwin van der Sar wants to offer him a new deal doubling his current £2m-a-year salary - but the former United keeper is already preparing for Ten Hag’s exit.
Two other clubs are also tracking the Dutchman, one from Germany, and both have already made him serious offers. And Ten Hag has already earmarked two players he would like to bring with him to his next club.
Brazilian winger Antony has emerged as a potential target after scoring 12 goals, along with eight assists, during an outstanding campaign, while Ten Hag feels that centre-half Jurrien Timber will immediately address United’s defensive problems. The 20-year-old has already played for Holland and will be part of Louis van Gaal’s squad for the World Cup.
Should Manchester United pay Erik ten Hag's release clause? Comment below
Ralf Rangnick refused to give anything away about United's process of looking for a new manager, saying: "I don’t know. I know they have spoken to some people but so far we haven’t spoken about the experience and the impressions they have got from those meetings."
Asked about what United are planning to do on the recruitment front this summer, Rangnick added: "It’s always good if you have money available to sign players but the question is do you sign the right players?
"It’s not only a question of money but a question of what kind of idea do you have behind that? What kind of philosophy? And how do you want to play? It’s not only a question of money."
