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Sir Jim Ratcliffe to hand Erik ten Hag '£140m war chest' at Manchester United

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 13 June 2024

Ratcliffe 'to hand Ten Hag £140m war chest at Man United'

Manchester United's new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe informs Erik ten Hag that the club's summer transfer budget is around £140m, according to a report.

Manchester United's new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly told Erik ten Hag that the club's summer transfer budget is around £140m.

The Red Devils have now allegedly reached a decision on Ten Hag's future, with the Dutchman set to stay at Old Trafford and potentially sign a new contract.

Planning for the summer market and 2024-25 campaign has now been stepped up due to the managerial decision, and Man United are planning to be active during the transfer window.

Ten Hag recently said that he wanted to bring in a centre-back, central midfielder and centre-forward ahead of next season.

According to Football Insider, Ratcliffe is set to hand the Dutchman a transfer budget of £140m, but the figure includes the money expected to be raised by player sales.

Manchester United's Casemiro looks dejected after the match on May 6, 2024 © Reuters

Man United are expected to be busy this summer

The departures of Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial on free transfers at the end of the month have already been confirmed, which will see the club make huge savings in terms of wages.

Meanwhile, Casemiro is set to depart, with the Brazilian believed to be attracting interest from Saudi Arabia, and his exit would see the club remove a £350,000-a-week salary from their budget.

Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood are also expected to leave, alongside Christian Eriksen, while the Red Devils are said to be open to offers for Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Antony could also potentially depart, while the club need to make a final decision on Sofyan Amrabat, who will see his loan deal from Fiorentina expire at the end of the month.

Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho on June 1, 2024 © Reuters

Who do Man United want to sign this summer?

Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite is believed to be the club's leading target in the middle of their defence, but the Englishman could cost around £70m, which might mean that the Red Devils pursue other targets.

Benfica's Joao Neves is also wanted, but the Portugal international has a €120m (£103m) release clause in his deal, so the club might have to break their transfer record to sign the midfielder.

The striker market is a difficult one this summer, but Man United are said to have placed Brentford's Ivan Toney, Bologna's Joshua Zirkzee and Lille's Jonathan David on their shortlist.

Meanwhile, the club are also believed to be keen on Hoffenheim's Maximilian Beier, who has a €32.5m (£27.5m) release clause in his current deal.

Man United could also move for a left-back and a second centre-back this summer, but much will depend on the number of unwanted players that the club are able to move on.