Analysing Manchester United's big transfer plans this summer
Tue, Jul 30, 2024
by
CapperTek
With Erik ten Hag signing a new two-year deal at Manchester United following his FA Cup success at the end of the 2023-24 season, the managerial situation has been dealt with nice and early at Old Trafford this off-season.
It’s now all systems go for Jim Ratcliffe’s blockbuster transfer plans, as the new owner sets out for a busy first summer window as the Red Devils’ decisionmaker.
The 71-year-old, who bought a 25% share in the club from the Glazer family for around £1.25 billion, is set to invest heavily in the side as he hopes to make Man United more favourable in the Premier League top 4 odds.
That said, read on as we take a look at some of the potential incomings at Old Trafford before the 2024-25 campaign gets underway in August.
Jarrad Branthwaite
After a fantastic breakthrough season with Everton last year, Jarrad Branthwaite was unlucky not to book his place on the plane to Germany for the Euros with England.
The 22-year-old centre-back did make Gareth Southgate’s provisional squad but was left out by the manager when it came to announcing the final 26 players.
Man United are very interested. However, the Red Devils and the Toffees are in a sticky situation regarding Branthwaite’s price tag, as Everton values him at upwards of £70 million.
Matthijs de Ligt
A transfer saga that will have Manchester United fans excited this summer, Matthijs de Ligt has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford from Bayern Munich.
The Dutch defender struggled somewhat at Juventus after moving from Ajax to Turin but has upped his game at Bayern Munich, and fans have the Bavarian club have started a petition to get him to stay.
However, the lure of the Premier League, a club like Manchester United and a reunion with Ten Hag could be too much for De Ligt to turn down.
A £43m fee could be one of the bargains of the summer and Ten Hag’s side would benefit massively in the Prem odds from his services.
Joshua Zirkzee
Another Netherlands international on Ten Hag’s radar this summer, a deal for Joshua Zirkzee, is looking imminent at the time of writing.
The 23-year-old forward had a standout season for Bologna last term, scoring 11 goals and providing five assists in the Serie A, which has put him on the radar of several big clubs.
With a release clause of just £34m, Zirkzee is considered good value for money in today’s market. But, while it’s believed Bologna won’t let him go for less than his contract states, Man United could still try and get him for cheaper.
Leny Yoro
One of the battles of the summer transfer window could be over the signature of Leny Yoro, as Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly interested in his services.
Yoro made over 30 appearances for Lille in Ligue 1 last season and has been compared to Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk for his defensive acumen.
The 18-year-old has just 12 months left on his contract, so Lille could be forced to sell this summer but Real Madrid are likely to pip the Red Devils in the race.