Manchester United are gearing up for a busy summer transfer window as Erik ten Hag aims to reshape his squad following a disappointing eighth-place finish in the Premier League, despite winning the FA Cup.
With his future secured by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, ten Hag will be determined to silence his doubters after a tough 2023/24 campaign, while navigating the club’s concerns over complying with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSRs).
United wasted no time in the transfer market, immediately submitting a formal bid worth up to £43 million for Everton’s highly-rated center-back Jarrad Branthwaite.
However, the offer was swiftly rejected by the Toffees, who are believed to be holding out for a fee of at least £70 million for the England provisional squad member.
When quizzed about the rumors of a potential move to United back in April, Branthwaite brushed off the speculation, stating: “You have just got to block it all out.
I think if you focus on the outside stuff, you get distracted from what you need to do on the pitch.”
Elsewhere, United are reportedly ‘very serious’ about signing 18-year-old Lille center-back Leny Yoro and have already submitted the ‘biggest offer so far’ in an attempt to fend off competition from Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Real Madrid.
According to Spanish outlet AS, United are ‘very close’ to meeting Lille’s reported asking price of €60 million (£50 million) for the highly-rated youngster.
While Real Madrid are heavily interested in Yoro, they are reluctant to go ‘all out’ for him due to his contract situation, which expires next summer.
Los Blancos believe they can secure his services at a reduced price if he doesn’t leave Lille this year.
The potential addition of Yoro would be a significant boost to United’s defensive options, which have been a weakness this season.
Raphael Varane has already departed, while Jonny Evans’ contract is expiring, leaving Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Lisandro Martinez, and Willy Kambwala as the only remaining center-backs.