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Man United ‘must qualify for the Champions League AND sell players’ if Erik ten Hag wants to buy a striker and midfielder this summer… with Kane, Osimhen and De Jong as possible targets and Maguire, Wan-Bissaka and Van de Beek potentially in exit
- Erik ten Hag is interested in a new striker and midfielder at Man United this summer
- But to sign them, United must qualify for the Champions League
- They will also have to sell current players to raise funds for the transfer kit.
- Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen and Benjamin Sesko are reportedly forward targets.
- Frenkie de Jong and Jude Bellingham would be ideal signings in the midfield
- Harry Maguire, Fred, Donny van de Beek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka could be sold
Manchester United “will have to qualify for the Champions League and sell players” if Erik ten Hag wants to bring in a midfielder and striker this summer.
The Dutch manager wants to sign a world-class striker with the likes of Tottenham’s Harry Kane, Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Benjamin Sesko heading to RB Leipzig.
Another dominant midfielder is also needed, with the names of Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong or Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham in the draw.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag faces a balancing act to achieve summer goals
Tottenham and England star Harry Kane could be among the targets of Manchester United forwards
But, according to daily telegraphUnited will have to achieve a top four finish in the Premier League this season and dump current players to raise funds.
The likes of Harry Maguire, Fred, Donny van de Beek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka may be put on the transfer list.
Even then, Ten Hag may have to choose between a striker or a midfielder. This could reportedly remain the case even if the Glazer family sells the club.
The report says United owe £307m in transfer fee fees and will feel the pinch of UEFA’s new Financial Sustainability rules, limiting their summer transfer kit.
Ten Hag’s team is in excellent shape and is at least on its way to the Champions League, as they currently sit fourth in the table.
United sit fourth in the Premier League table and are on course to reach the Champions League
Ten Hag wanted to sign Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong last summer but failed in the bid
Red Bull Salzburg striker Benjamin Sesko is another potential striker of the summer
Positive results against second-placed Manchester City at Old Trafford this Saturday and then leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium the following weekend could put them in a position to mount a title bid.
Ten Hag’s priority in the January window was to fill the hole at center forward left by the acrimonious departure of Cristiano Ronaldo last month.
They are set to complete the loan signing of Dutch striker Wout Weghorst, who was on loan to Turkish club Besiktas from Burnley.
But having spent over £200m on new signings last summer, no further funds are available this month, especially given the uncertainty over club ownership.
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has been linked with United as Ten Hag searches for a striker
Captain Harry Maguire (left) and Donny van de Beek (right) could be among the players United will try to sell to raise funds this summer
If United fail to qualify for the Champions League for the second successive season, they would suffer a 30 per cent or £22.5m reduction on their £75m a year kit deal with Adidas.
It would also affect the club’s revenue, which is forecast to be between £590m and £610m for this season, up from £583m in 2021-22.
That has implications given UEFA’s new financial rules, which will restrict clubs to spending 70 per cent of their total revenue on transfers, salaries and agent fees for players and managers by 2025-26.
Wout Weghorst has packed his bags and seems to have played his last game for Besiktas
This is gradually being implemented, but with United’s latest financial figures showing £307m still owed to clubs from recent player purchases, the imperative to reach the Champions League and dump players for decent sums.
If pressed, Ten Hag is likely to prioritize signing a new striker with Kane, Osimhen and Sesko reportedly among the targets being monitored.
Sesko plays for Red Bull Salzburg and will join sister club RB Leipzig at the end of the season, although that could change if a higher offer comes through.
The United manager is also looking for a new right-back, with Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters linked with the club.