Erik ten Hag has told Manchester United to make signing Ajax defender Jurrien Timber and Benfica striker Darwin Nunez a priority.
The new United boss has spent his first few days at Old Trafford drawing up a list of potential targets after speaking with football director John Murtough, technical director Darren Fletcher and recruitment consultant Ralf Rangnick.
Ten Hag wants to make SIX signings this summer - but understands that his wishes hinge on him being able to shift unwanted players out of the bloated squad he has inherited to raise cash. Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong also interests Ten Hag, but he would come at a significant cost as Barcelona look to raise money for their own rebuild.
Sunday Mirror Sport revealed last month that he wants to bring 20-year-old Dutch international defender Timber with him from Ajax - and the Amsterdam club will do business for £35million.
Nunez, the 22-year-old Uruguayan, will cost around £80million because Benfica have to pay his former club Almeria 20 percent of any fee as part of the £22million deal that made the striker the most expensive player in Portugal almost two years ago.
Ten Hag is also targeting two new full-backs, a midfielder and another forward. But he accepts that moving for Timber and Nunez will come at the cost of most of his transfer budget.
Ajax were braced for a raid by their former boss when it became clear Ten Hag was moving to Manchester. Brazilian winger Antony and Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez have also been discussed but the Dutch club will not allow the squad built by Ten Hag to crumble on his departure.
Timber’s arrival would hike up the pressure on centre-back trio Harry Maguire, Rafael Varane and Victor Lindelof. But Ten Hag has made it clear he wants someone who can build play from the back.
