Manchester United are extremely busy behind the scenes after the summer transfer window opened on Wednesday.
Like their Premier League rivals, United are pushing hard to finalise plans in an effort to strengthen Erik ten Hag’s squad. A top-class striker is at the forefront of the club’s thoughts while they wait for a conclusion to the ongoing takeover saga.
Harry Kane has been strongly linked with a move from Tottenham to United, but the club are looking elsewhere now. Meanwhile, a move for Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount is also on the cards.
United have also announced their retained list as the end of June approaches, when contracts will expire. With that in mind, here is the latest news from the club.
Greenwood among retained players
Mason Greenwood is still suspended by Manchester United, but he was included in the club’s retained list on Friday.
Greenwood remains contracted to United, despite the outcome of an internal investigation into whether he brought the club into disrepute by being charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Those charges were later withdrawn by the Crown Prosecution Service.
He has been retained alongside Tom Heaton, Nathan Bishop, Rhys Bennett, Ethan Laird, Tom Huddlestone, Mateo Mejia.
Ramos get green light
Goncalo Ramos has emerged as a real alternative to Harry Kane this summer after Jorge Mendes was told he can sell the Benfica star.
United have moved away from chasing Tottenham star Kane due to Daniel Levy’s reluctance to sell. Ramos scored 25 goals for club and country last season and could thrive in the Premier League.
Benfica want £80million plus add-ons to sell Ramos, who has already been talked up by Bruno Fernandes. "I think Goncalo [Ramos] has all the conditions to play in the Premier League," Fernandes told Portuguese channel Sport TV.
"He plays with a lot of intensity, he presses very well and is really good inside the penalty area. He is strong. Obviously, he is still very young and will improve a lot."
Ratcliffe’s ‘secret’ takeover talks
Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly flew to New York to hold talks with United representatives in the past month in an effort to win the race with Sheikh Jassim.
INEOS chief Ratcliffe is still quietly confident of succeeding and The Telegraph reports that Ratcliffe is ‘known to have flown to New York for talks within the past month’ in an effort to try and increase his chances.
His presence at such talks comes in stark contrast to his rival Sheikh Jassim, who sent representatives to Manchester to meet executives, tour facilities and conduct due diligence earlier in the year rather than attend himself.
