Manchester United will not advance with any transfers until they have finalised a deal for Erik ten Hag to become their next manager.
Sources told the MEN last week a deal for Ten Hag is 'basically done' and he is expected to be appointed by United before the summer transfer window formally opens on June 10.
United are setting up the framework of a possible deal for the Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips and are interested in RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku.
READ MORE: The five major squad issues for Ten Hag to sort at United
The club could also be in the market for a full-back, a centre-back and a back-up goalkeeper, depending on the goalkeeping situation.
David de Gea is certain to claim a fifth Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award but Ten Hag tried to sign Dean Henderson on loan in the January transfer window.
United have compiled thorough scouting reports on intended targets for Ten Hag to study before deciding on whether to proceed with negotiations. Sources have stressed it is vital the United manager still has a right to veto any potential deal.
Louis van Gaal sanctioned the signings of Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw following his appointment in 2014 but nixed a move for Toni Kroos, who left Bayern Munich for Real Madrid.
Sources say United's scouting network has expanded so widely they have detailed dossiers on any player of interest across different continents.
United finalised their shortlist of targets in January and Matt Judge, the director of football negotiations, is tasked with executing deals from February onwards.
John Murtough, the football director, is widely viewed as the figure who oversees recruitment but agency sources say Judge is the primary point of contact and he recently enquired about a young striker.
Ed Woodward, the former executive vice-chairman, identified the technical chief scout Mick Court as so instrumental he had the power to veto targets but it is understood Court's recruitment department is a 'small team'.
It was claimed Court vetoed some of Jose Mourinho's suggested targets in the 2018 summer window but Court is believed to have enjoyed an 'excellent relationship' with Mourinho, who privately lauded Court's insistence on moving for Fred. The suspicion is Woodward tried to pass the buck.
Court's team was also not responsible for the infamous 804-man shortlist of right-backs United drafted in 2019 before signing Aaron Wan-Bissaka for £45million rising to £50m.
