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Erik ten Hag 'holds recruitment meeting with Manchester United officials after Eredivisie title success'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 12 May 2022

Ten Hag 'holds recruitment meeting with Man United officials after Eredivisie title success'

Erik ten Hag met with Manchester United officials on Thursday to discuss the club's recruitment for the summer window, according to a report.

Erik ten Hag reportedly met with Manchester United officials in Amsterdam on Thursday to discuss the club's recruitment for this summer's transfer window.

Last month, the Red Devils confirmed the appointment of Ten Hag as their new manager on a contract until June 2025, with the option of an additional year, with the deal due to officially begin at the end of the season.

The Dutchman has thus far been determined to focus on finishing the season at Ajax, who still have one Eredivisie match left of the 2021-22 campaign against Vitesse this weekend.

Ajax secured the league title on Wednesday evening, though, courtesy of a 5-0 success over Heerenveen, with the Amsterdam giants winning the trophy for the 36th time in their history.

According to ESPN journalist Rob Dawson, Ten Hag held a recruitment meeting with Man United officials in Amsterdam on Thursday to discuss the club's summer activity.

Ajax manager Erik ten Hag celebrates in November 2021 © Reuters

Dawson claims that possible ins and outs were discussed, with the 20-time English champions preparing to overhaul their squad in the upcoming market.

Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic and Edinson Cavani are all set to leave Old Trafford on free transfers at the end of June, which will trim the club's wage budget significantly.

Meanwhile, the futures of the likes of Dean Henderson, Phil Jones, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Alex Telles, Eric Bailly, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are still unclear.

Cristiano Ronaldo, though, is expected to remain with the club this summer despite suggestions that the 37-year-old was keen to move on due to the lack of Champions League football next season.

Ten Hag could allegedly be given in the region of £100m to spend on new signings in the upcoming market, and Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong is currently being strongly linked with a move to the club.

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong pictured in October 2021 © Reuters

De Jong could allegedly be available for a fee in the region of €60m (£51m), with Barcelona looking to make one big sale this summer amid their ongoing financial problems.

There are a number of other areas of the squad that need improvement, though, with Ten Hag thought to be determined to add a new centre-back and centre-forward ahead of next season.

According to Portuguese transfer expert Pedro Almeida, Benfica's Darwin Nunez and Sporting Lisbon's Goncalo Inacio could both head to Manchester this summer.

Nunez has scored 34 goals and registered four assists in 41 appearances in all competitions at club level this term, and the Uruguay international could potentially be available for a fee in the region of £65m.

Meanwhile, Inacio, who has scored five times and provided two assists in 44 appearances for Sporting this term, is said to have a €45m (£38.5m) buy-out fee in his current contract.

Man United are currently battling West Ham United for sixth spot in the Premier League table, which would bring a spot in the group stage of next season's Europa League.