Transfer Centre

Sir Jim Ratcliffe 'planning to bring elite striker to Manchester United this summer'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 17 January 2024

Ratcliffe 'planning to bring elite striker to Man United this summer'

Manchester United's incoming minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe will target an elite centre-forward this summer, according to a report.

Manchester United's incoming minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly planning to bring an elite centre-forward to Old Trafford during this summer's transfer window.

Ratcliffe was in the stands for Man United's 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, a match which saw both Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford register.

Hojlund is the team's leading goalscorer this season with seven, but Rashford only has four, and the Red Devils are short of options at centre-forward, with Anthony Martial still on the sidelines.

Martial only has a contract at Old Trafford until this summer, and the Frenchman is widely expected to move on, which will open up space in the squad for a new striker to arrive.

The Red Devils were heavily linked with Harry Kane last year, but the England captain ultimately made the move to Bayern Munich from Tottenham Hotspur, with Erik ten Hag's side focusing their efforts on Hojlund.

Ineos chairman Jim Ratcliffe on March 17, 2023 © Reuters

According to the London Evening Standard, Man United are setting out their priorities for the summer market, and a top-class centre-forward is seen as a necessity for the club.

The report claims that Ratcliffe wants to bring in a striker 'at a similar level to Kane', while a central midfielder, centre-back and right-back will also be targeted at the end of the campaign.

Benfica's Joao Neves is believed to be the club's leading midfield target, while Bayern's Matthijs de Ligt and Barcelona's Ronald Araujo are seemingly on the defensive shortlist.

Ratcliffe's deal to purchase 25% of Man United has not yet been ratified by the Premier League, but it should occur next month, and Sir Dave Brailsford, who is the director of sport for INEOS, is set to have a leading role at Old Trafford moving forward.

Ineos chairman Jim Ratcliffe is pictured at Old Trafford in Manchester, Britain, March 17, 2023 © Reuters

Man United have scored eight times in their last four matches in all competitions, but the team have struggled from an attacking point of view for much of the campaign.

Alejandro Garnacho has contributed five goals, but Antony and Facundo Pellistri are yet to register a goal or an assist this season, while Jadon Sancho has been allowed to return to Borussia Dortmund on loan.

Man United's plans for the summer window will be impacted by their finish in the Premier League table, as an absence from the Champions League next season would further decrease their budget.

The 20-time English champions are currently seventh in the top flight, eight points behind both fourth-placed Arsenal and fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

Ten Hag's side will take on Newport County in the fourth round of the FA Cup on January 28 before opening February with a trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.