Ten Hag transfer plans take huge blow as new Man Utd directive has severe consequences
Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag will only be able to make loan signings in the January transfer window after missing out on Cody Gakpo, according to reports.
The Red Devils spent over £200m in the summer transfer market on Antony, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Martin Dubravka and Christian Eriksen with the clubs spending widely expected to continue over the next couple of transfer windows.
Man Utd are on the lookout for a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, who now looks likely to join Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nassr, after the Portugal international left the club by mutual consent.
Numerous forwards have been linked with a potential switch to Old Trafford with Benfica’s Goncalo Ramos and Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix amongst the possible arrivals.
However, Ten Hag has now been hit with a massive blow with the Daily Mail revealing that the Man Utd boss has been told he will be ‘reduced to shopping in the loan market this January as the Glazers look to sell the club’.
The newspaper claims that the directive from the top ‘cost them’ a deal to sign Gakpo, who is heading to Liverpool, as the Red Devils ‘were left floundering’.
PSV announced Gakpo’s imminent transfer to Liverpool on Boxing Day, an official statement read: “PSV and Liverpool have reached an agreement on the proposed transfer of Cody Gakpo.
“The 23-year-old attacker will leave for England imminently where he will be subjected to the necessary formalities ahead of the completion of the transfer.”
PSV Eindhoven general manager Marcel Brand added: “Both clubs are not making any announcements about the transfer fee. But this is a record transfer for PSV.”
The Daily Mail added that Man Utd ‘were still to finalise a financial offer and Liverpool have taken advantage’ and the news that the ‘club will only be able to do loan deals is a hammer blow to Erik ten Hag who had big hopes heading into the window’.
When Ten Hag was asked whether Man Utd would make transfers in the January window, the Dutchman replied: “Yes, but only when we find the right player.
“We do everything that is in our power, so I do research on every opportunity that comes. We do everything we can if that opportunity will be there.”
On November 22, the day the Red Devils parted company with Ronaldo, the Glazers announced that “a process to explore strategic alternatives to enhance future growth” had begun.
The statement added that “the board will consider all options, including new investment into the club, a sale, or other transactions.”
READ MORE: Transfer gossip: Chelsea set to beat Man Utd to Portugal forward as Gakpo chooses Liverpool
