Manchester United secured their first Premier League win under Erik ten Hag with a much-needed 2-1 victory over Liverpool, but the club’s summer transfer dealings appear far from finished.
Casemiro was unveiled to supporters at Old Trafford before that win, with the midfielder a high-cost addition from Real Madrid.
Ten Hag has also secured the signings of Ajax’s Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia of Feyenoord this summer, while Christian Eriksen arrived on a free transfer.
But with the Dutch manager keen for more reinforcements and Cristiano Ronaldo’s future still seemingly uncertain, who else might be arriving in Manchester before the window closes?
Antony
Having already brought Martinez with him from Amsterdam, Ten Hag appears intent on another raid on his former club Ajax. Young Brazilian winger Antonyis highly-rated and has been strongly linked with a move, with the player said to be keen to join Manchester United.
The Independent’s Miguel Delaney reports that the 22-year-old has agreed personal terms, but Manchester United must up their bid to convince Ajax to part with Antony. United are expected to make a bid of around €90m for the winger, according to Sky Sports News, but Ajax are holding out for a package that goes up to €100m.
The Daily Telegraph report Antony is “determined to push through a move to Manchester United in the next few days” with the 22-year-old’s representatives staying in England for the rest of the transfer window to try to secure the deal.
Manchester United’s summer-long pursuit of Frenkie de Jong looks set to continue on with no deal as yet fully agreed for the Barcelona midfielder. Having worked under Ten Hag at Ajax, Miguel Delaney reported last month that De Jong favours a move but is waiting for Barcelona to pay deferred wages as the Catalan club continues to face financial difficulties.
Barcelona may need to sell De Jong to make their strange summer of business work - as Karl Matchett explains.
Another Eredivisie item of interest in a Dutch-infused summer of recruitment at Manchester United is PSV Eindhoven’s Cody Gakpo. Another winger with significant potential, the 23-year-old may still be a target even if the Antony deal is completed with Ten Hag looking for plenty of options in his forward line.
The Daily Mail suggest that a bid will be submitted for Gakpo, though PSV manager, and former Manchester United striker, Ruud van Nistelrooy insists that he would like to keep hold of the Dutchman.
PSV’s exit from the Champions League could have an impact, according to reports. The Dutch club were knocked out at the play-off round by Rangers on Wednesday night, which could mean PSV find it harder to turn down an offer from United before the deadline.
His first spell at Old Trafford did not pan out as planned, but could Memphis Depay yet be making a surprise return to Manchester? Another Barcelona outcast, reports in Spain have linked Manchester United with a move for their former player, who could be available in a cut-price deal.
Despite Depay agreeing to terminate his contract and join Juventus on a free, talks are said to have stalled with the Turin club - which could open the door for Manchester United to bring him back to the club.
With Dean Henderson now at Nottingham Forest on loan, Manchester United are also eyeing an alternative goalkeeping option to David de Gea. Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka is the latest to be linked, with the Slovakia international left out of Eddie Howe’s squad that travelled to Preston in the League Cup on Wednesday amid talk of a move. Interest has reportedly cooled over the Eintracht Frankfurt’s Kevin Trapp after the club demanded €25m. Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Yann Sommer has also been linked.
Who could leave?
Cristiano Ronaldo has made clear his desire to leave Manchester United just one season after sealing his own return to the club, but a suitable destination for the Portuguese forward is proving elusive. Only Sporting, where Ronaldo began his career, have shown concrete interest, and the 37-year-old does not reportedly want to return to the Primeira Liga at this stage of his career.
Marseille have signed defender Eric Bailly on a season-long loan with a view to a permanent move. According to reports, the deal includes an obligation to buy if add-ons are met while Marseille will also cover the 28-year-old’s full wages during the course of the loan.
Bailly’s departure could be the precursor to a true defensive exodus at the club - The Telegraph report that Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe are all available.
Wan-Bissaka’s departure could necessitate the addition of another full-back: Barcelona’s Sergino Dest has been linked.
