Reports of ‘follow-up meeting’ for key target dismissed as Man Utd face transfer ’embarrassment’

Joe Williams
Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag looks annoyed

Man Utd face a crucial couple of weeks in the transfer market with Erik ten Hag targeting three new signings before the deadline, according to reports.

The Red Devils have underwhelmed in the summer window with Feyenoord’s Tyrell Malacia, Ajax’s Lisandro Martinez and free agent Christian Eriksen all joining the club.

They may not prove to be poor signings but they’re not the exciting additions many fans had expected from Man Utd, who are still in the market for a number of signings this summer.


Will Manchester United fans continue to drink from the pot the Glazers p*** in?


An attempt to sign former Stoke City and West Ham striker Marko Arnautovic really frustrated United’s fanbase with the bid – which was rejected – showing a lack of a planning and a short-term mentality towards recruitment.

They pulled out of any negotiations following a backlash from supporters but they have made little progress towards signing another forward since then.

The Daily Telegraph claims that Ten Hag is still chasing three more signings this summer with just over two weeks until the window slams shut.

Ten Hag ‘wants two midfielders signed before the end of August’ with their pursuit of Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot progressing over the last week.

It is understood that Man Utd have agreed a fee of around €18m with the Old Lady for the France international and now it will come down to negotiations with his mother, Veronique, who is his agent.

There have been reports that there could be a fresh rounds of talks over personal terms as soon as today but the Telegraph insists that ‘contrary to suggestions, United are not planning a follow-up meeting on Monday and the Rabiots are awaiting developments’.

The report adds that Man Utd ‘also have a big decision to make as to whether they should finally end their pursuit of Frenkie de Jong’ with the Red Devils sounding out potential alternatives for the Barcelona midfielder.

He is still locked in negotiations with Barca – who owe him around £17m in deferred wages and bonuses from the height of the Covid-19 pandemic – with Chelsea now rumoured to be favourites for his signature if he does leave the Camp Nou.

An €85m deal for De Jong was agreed weeks ago but the Red Devils have so far failed to convince the Netherlands international to move to Old Trafford after around three months chasing his signature.

On the De Jong deal, The Daily Telegraph continue:

‘The deal may go down to the deadline day and United probably cannot wait that long especially for a player who does not appear to favour them.

‘Walking away from the deal would be embarrassing – though less embarrassing than being gazumped by Chelsea – but would free up the budget to pursue other targets with Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, long linked to United, being proposed as an alternative by intermediaries. He would cost closer to €50m.’

Another area in need of improvement is in attack with a lack of cover for Cristiano Ronaldo, who wants to leave this summer if the club receive any ‘satisfactory’ offers for his services.

Ten Hag is interested in both PSV Eindhoven’s Cody Gakpo and Stuttgart’s Sasa Kalajdzic as he targets one new striker before the deadline.