Manchester United had shown keen interest in an unfortunately disinterested Harry Kane over the summer and the new minority share British billionaire co-owner is ready to launch a fresh bid for another elite striker.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his top brass have set their sights on a new centre-forward to boost United’s attack as a priority, with a No. 8, a center-back and a right-back also targeted as well.
Any new forward signed is expected to play alongside £72million-signing Rasmus Hojlund, who scored his second Premier League goal in their tussle against Tottenham.
New minority share owner Ratcliffe was in the directors’ box at Old Trafford right next to Sir Alex Ferguson for the first time since his takeover deal was announced last month. Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise has been for now identified by United as a key transfer priority target while Ratcliffe and his top lieutenants plan a major overhaul of their squad at the end of the season.
News has it that Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite is being sourced as the center-back while Nice’s Jean Clair Todibo is also in the cross-hairs, despite many Premier League clubs also targeting the defensive duo.
Admittedly the majority of the players being targeted will be difficult to sign in January, whilst also having to bear in mind that United would also first need to sell players to ensure they stay within FFP spending rules.
The Ineos owner’s investment is set to substantially increase the club’s ability to buy players in the summer without breaching financial rules as United are plotting to kickstart the Ratcliffe era in a big way this summer.
United are now poised on the brink of selling midfielder Hannibal Mejbri to Sevilla for £17.5m after acquisscing to allowing Jadon Sancho to re-join Borrussia Dortmund on loan last week, with those deals providing more opportunity to spend this month.
Ratcliffe has purportedly been given total control of football operations under the terms of his deal with the Glazers and the billionaire is pressing ahead with plans to overhaul a disastrous transfer strategy at the club.
Leading an audit of the transfer structure at United will be Ratcliffe’s righthand man, Sir Dave Brailsford, with both intent on bringing Dan Ashworth and Paul Mitchell into sporting director roles.