Manchester United are closing in on two summer signings and a new midfielder could become the next priority for Erik ten Hag.
Ineos have decided to keep hold of boss Erik ten Hag – and he could soon be joined by two fellow Dutchmen.
Reports suggest that Manchester United are closing in on the signature of Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee.
United are ready to activate Zirkzee’s £34million release clause and a deal is now ‘one step away’ according to Fabrizio Romano.
Zirkzee is currently at Euro 2024 alongside defender Matthjis de Ligt, who could also end up at Old Trafford this summer.
Rumours over the weekend suggested that United are now ‘confident’ of signing De Ligt from Bayern Munich.
De Ligt wants to reunite with his former Ajax boss Ten Hag and has been earmarked to partner Lisandro Martinez in the heart of United’s defence.
Manchester United chase Manuel Ugarte deal
Those two deals appear to be the closest to completion for United but other signings are also wanted.
United want to find another midfielder; preferably a combative defensive midfield player who can be the long-term heir to Casemiro.
Uruguayan international Manuel Ugarte has become the top target after just one year with Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG paid around £51million to sign Ugarte from Sporting last summer but boss Luis Enrique is already thought to be keen to sell to United.
Reporter Christopher Michel now claims that United are ‘pushing’ to complete the signing of 23-year-old Ugarte.
It’s stated that PSG want around €60million (£51million) for Ugarte, essentially aiming to get their money back on the midfielder.
However, United want to pay €42million (£35million) for Ugarte and are ‘optimistic’ of striking a deal.
Michel notes that the two clubs may ‘meet in the middle’ over the fee, which would be around £43million – a similar price to the one being paid for De Ligt.
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Manchester City lurking in Ugarte race
United seemingly have real hope of a deal for Ugarte, even if the negotiations don’t seem quite as advanced as the moves for Zirkzee and De Ligt.
However, one report from France will leave United a little concerned.
Le10 Sport claim that Barcelona and even bitter rivals Manchester City are keen to sign Ugarte alongside United.
City may view Ugarte as competition for Rodri after the decision to sign Kalvin Phillips backfired.
United would certainly hate to see a key target such as Ugarte head to City, but Ineos will be mindful of the transfer market mind games.
This could be a tactic to tempt United into meeting PSG’s demands, just in order to avoid seeing Ugarte sign for such a big rival.
Dan Ashworth and co will be wise to those tactics and surely won’t be scared to walk away if a compromise can’t be reached.
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