Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag wants to sign five players this summer, and Frenkie de Jong might be the first. According to reports, United have reached an agreement in principle to sign the Barcelona midfielder in a deal for up to £70 million. Express Sport looks at four additional players that could join De Jong after him.
Timber
Jurrien Timber wants to reconcile with ex-Ajax manager Ten Hag, who can play at both center-back and right-back. The 20-year-old Dutchman is the Dutch manager’s primary aim. He is a young player with a lot of potentials, the ability to play in a variety of positions, and previous experience playing under Ten Hag, having made 43 appearances for Ajax last season.
Timber, who turns 21 later this month, has played 74 times for the Amsterdam club and has already won nine caps for the Netherlands. Timber told De Telegraaf about his future plans, “In the end, my gut instinct will be the deciding factor.” The image must be correct. You could go to a large club. However, if you are not going to play there, it is preferable to remain with Ajax.
“Ajax is likewise a large club.” We play in the Champions League, and I play alongside the top players in the Netherlands. That is not insignificant. I don’t think I’m done with the club. But I can also grow in other clubs.”
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Ibrahima Sangare
United are expected to acquire De Jong, but they may still want a defensive midfielder, with PSV’s Ibrahima Sangare a low-cost possibility. United is rumored to be interested in the Ivorian.
Sangare’s PSV contract includes a £30 million release clause. According to Sky Sports, the 24-year-old has his heart set on a Premier League move and believes he will be in England’s top flight next season, with Chelsea another team connected.
The powerful Sangare might be the long-term alternative for Nemanja Matic, playing at the base of the midfield with De Jong and Bruno Fernandes or another attacking midfielder like Donny van de Beek.
Arnaut Danjuma,
Arnaut Danjuma, formerly of Bournemouth, is a Villarreal winger who has garnered a lot of attention. The 25-year-old Dutchman scored 16 goals and assisted four times in 34 appearances for the Spanish club, which advanced to the Champions League semi-finals.
United have been keeping an eye on Danjuma’s progress in La Liga, and he might be an intriguing alternative to freshen up their wide options, with Marcus Rashford struggling last season. The winger is expected to cost a club approximately £40 million.
Danjuma has stated his desire to return to the Premier League in the future. “There’s obviously unfinished business for me in England,” he told Sky Sports this week. My initial motivation for joining Bournemouth was to play Premier League football. I think about how vast the league is and how many of us regard it as the best league in the world.”
Christian Eriksen,
While Ten Hag has Fernandes as a No. 10 and Van de Beek as a backup, a free move for Christian Eriksen would still be appealing considering his talent. The Dane will only be available if he rejects a longer-term stay at Brentford.
Eriksen, 30, might stay at Brentford after a good six-month run with the Londoners beginning in January. The attacking midfielder is significantly more likely to stay with the Bees if they avoid relegation from the Premier League than if they are relegated to the Championship.
Eriksen also has a potential return to Spurs on the cards though if he rejects Brentford and he would definitely prefer to rejoin his old club than link up with United. Especially since they have access to Champions League football under Antonio Conte.
