Manchester United have wasted no time in lining up two signings ahead of the summer transfer window as Erik ten Hag continues his rebuild at Old Trafford.
The Dutch manager has enjoyed an impressive first season in charge, restoring United firmly back into the Premier League ’s top-four picture with the club on course to achieve Champions League qualification. The Red Devils take on Brighton in the FA Cup semi-final this weekend as part of a bid to win both domestic cups, although the quest for a treble came to an end this week when they were knocked out of the Europa League by Sevilla at the quarter-final stage.
United’s priorities in the transfer market are well known. At the top of the list is signing a new striker, while Ten Hag is also keen on restructuring his defence.
Ten Hag’s transfer search last summer largely concentrated on players connected to the Netherlands, with Lisandro Martinez and Antony joining from Ajax while Tyrell Malacia signed from Feyenoord. United look set to continue with that strategy having identified Dutch youth international Jeremie Frimpong as a target.
Born in Amsterdam, Frimpong was included in the Netherlands’ World Cup squad although he didn’t make an appearance in Qatar. According to the Manchester Evening News, United have already begun talks with Bayer Leverkusen to sign the right-back from the Bundesliga side.
A former Manchester City trainee, Frimpong moved to England as a young boy and spent nine years in the academy of United’s rivals. The 22-year-old signed for Celtic in 2019 before earning a move to Leverkusen two years later.
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According to the report, United could see either Diogo Dalot or Aaron Wan-Bissaka leave this summer and want a new option at right-back. Meanwhile, Ten Hag and United Football Director John Murtough are prepared to move on club captain Harry Maguire as well as full-back Brandon Williams.
Even more pressing for United is bringing in a new striker as the club compete on several fronts next season. There are only two senior options on the books - Marcus Rashford who appears to prefer playing on the left and Anthony Martial, who suffers from long-term fitness issues.
United signed Wout Weghorst to play through the middle after Cristiano Ronaldo ’s acrimonious departure in November 2022. But Weghorst will return to Burnley when his loan spell comes to an end..
Harry Kane is believed to be the leading target to provide a goal-scoring injection to Ten Hag’s side with United desperate to land a clinical finisher to complement the likes of Rashford and Antony in attack. Kane - England and Tottenham's all-time leading scorer - is aware that he may have to leave Spurs to win a trophy in his club career and has just 12 months left to run on his contract.
What will dictate United’s interest is how much Spurs chairman Daniel Levy will demand to sell the forward - with the same applying to a potential pursuit for Victor Osimhen from Napoli. Osimhen has also developed a reputation as a potent striker having netted 26 times this season.
What is certain is that Ten Hag and United have two clear priorities going into what is primed to be a window of upheaval at Old Trafford.
