Manchester United have not settled on a specific budget ahead of the summer transfer window as they prepare for a potentially unprecedented overhaul of the squad.
Senior United figures have privately dismissed claims they could have as little as £20million or as high as £200m to spend on players.
Although club staff have referred to a 'finite budget', United intend to spend within their means rather than agreeing on a dedicated pot of cash, as they did under Jose Mourinho.
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Had United moved for a striker in the January window, as interim manager Ralf Rangnick advised, club sources claim it would have impacted their summer spending whether it was a loan or permanent deal as United's spending strategy factors in a signing's salary, as well as the transfer fee.
United are expected to save £50million on their annual wage bill with the imminent departures of Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, Edinson Cavani and Lee Grant, who are all out of contract next month.
Agency sources expect United to try and negotiate deals for targets where the fees are paid in installments, as they did last year with the £72.9m deal for Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane, whose fee was rising to £43m.
United are targeting a defensive midfielder, at least one forward, a centre-back and would consider an upgrade at full-back. Interim manager Ralf Rangnick has recommended two attacking signings and a back-up goalkeeper could also be required if there is an outgoing in that department.
Fees from any sales are due to be reinvested in signings and several players under contract want to leave United.
Eric Bailly and Phil Jones have informed teammates of their intention to leave, Dean Henderson will seek a new club if he is not made first-choice goalkeeper, United are open to offers for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Anthony Martial is available for transfer and Marcus Rashford is seeking clarity over his future from incoming manager Erik ten Hag.
Finge players from the academy with first-team experience, such as Axel Tuanzebe, Brandon Williams and Andreas Pereira, could also go. United had agreed a fee with Flamengo to make Pereira's loan move permanent but that has been put on hold due to financial issues at the Brazilian club.
