Manchester United came through Ineos’ first transfer window in charge with a good haul of incomings and outgoings, and next summer more change is expected.
Ineos achieved a lot this past summer, with limited lead-in time. Sporting director Dan Ashworth and chief executive Omar Berrada only took up their posts in July. Now with the preferred executive team in charge, there is a full season to prepare for next summer.
Planning is already underway, according to The MEN, with it claimed four key signings are being targeted for 2025.
These are provisionally claimed to include a winger, midfielder and defender – with plans subject to change over the course of the season.
Eberechi Eze key target
Manchester United are considering various names as they put together a long-list of potential signings, which will later be narrowed down.
One player who is claimed to feature prominently on the target list is Crystal Palace attacker Eberechi Eze.
Eze, 26, has one goal in three matches this season so far, and will face Manchester United in a game at Selhurst Park later this month.
Last season, Eze scored 11 goals, his best ever tally in the Premier League, and also provided six assists in all competitions.
Eze was called up to the England squad for Euro 2024, and there was big interest in his services over the summer, with Palace able to hold onto him.
The versatile star can play across the frontline, and could end up being a replacement for Bruno Fernandes, now turned 30.
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Ineos will assess value
Manchester United investors Ineos made clear in summer 2024 that they do not want to overpay for any player, refusing to sanction any offers above £60 million.
Next summer Eze will have only two years remaining on his Palace deal, which may help to keep his value from over-inflating.
However, United may also want a younger target. The club missed the boat to sign Eze on the cheap several years ago.
We wrote back in 2020 that Eberechi Eze would be a smart signing for Manchester United, when he was impressing for QPR.
Palace were smart enough to sign Eze for £19.5 million, spotting his talent at the right time and taking the gambel.
Had Ineos been overseeing Manchester United transfers at the time, perhaps the Red Devils would have had the foresight to do a deal.
Eze features prominently on the list of targets for next summer, but Ineos will closely assess his value and skillset, along with comparable options.
If there is a possibility to identify a younger version of Eze, with similar qualities, expect United to explore this route too.
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