After a slow start to the summer transfer window, the situation is finally starting to heat up in the transfer market for Manchester United and their new manager Erik ten Hag.
The Dutchman finally wrapped up his first summer capture in the form of full-back Tyrell Malacia earlier this week after striking a £14million agreement with Feyenoord, but the former Ajax chief also learned that Cristiano Ronaldo is eager to quit the club for a team who can offer him Champions League football next season.
If Ronaldo does get his wish, then the onus will be on Ten Hag to step up his attempts to sign a new striker; but there are already a whole host of names being linked with a move to the club. Here, Mirror Football takes a look at all the latest transfer news from Old Trafford...
De Jong ‘totally rules out’ United move
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has ‘totally ruled out’ a summer transfer to Manchester United with a list of ten reasons not to join the club, according to reports in Spain.
United have an initial transfer fee agreed with Barcelona with the value of £56.2million to sign the midfielder this summer. Reports had claimed the player has already cleared out his locker at Barca with a move to Old Trafford appearing to be edging closer. New United boss Erik ten Hag coached the midfielder at Ajax and held a phone call to convince the player that he should join his project at Old Trafford.
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According to a report in Diario Sport, who outline how the Dutchman has no interest whatsoever in joining United and is preparing to return to Barcelona training for pre-season. De Jong is said to be perplexed by the noise around the possible move as he had no intention of committing to the deal – with ten reasons listed as to why he prefers to stay at the Camp Nou.
United expect Brobbey defeat
Manchester United believe that RB Leipzig striker Brian Brobbey will return to Ajax this summer despite phone calls with Erik ten Hag.
The new United boss shares a close relationship with striker Brobbey, who he brought back to Ajax on a six-month loan spell without an option to buy in January. The young striker bagged seven goals in 13 appearances in that spell despite picking up a medial collateral ligament knee injury and he is keen to leave Leipzig permanently this summer.
A report in the MEN outlines how United are now prepared to admit defeat in their pursuit of the striker, whom they expect to return to Ajax on a permanent basis this summer. He will become the club’s second attacking addition following their deal to sign Dutch international Steven Bergwijn from Tottenham.
Improved bids for Ajax duo
Manchester United have stepped up their pursuit of Ajax duo Lisandro Martinez and Antony with improved offers, reports The Times.
United have made an improved €60million offer for Brazilian forward Antony, which is still €20million or so short of Ajax’s valuation.
The club have also made an offer of €50million for Argentine defender Martinez, of whom they are confident of signing.
Both players are keen to move to Old Trafford this summer, and it could be a case that several more offers are lodged for those deals to come to a fruition.
