Four signings in seven days – Ten Hag issues Murtough a stark deadline
If Erik ten Hag had his way, Manchester United’s transfer business may be completed by July 8th.
According to Sky Sports News, the new manager wants at least the majority of his new acquisitions in before the squad departs on its preseason tour.
And, with numerous acquisitions nearing completion, Ten Hag may just get his wish.
United and FC Barcelona have struck a comprehensive agreement on the sale of Frenkie de Jong, the club’s primary target.
After a difficult month of negotiating that appeared to stymie the Red Devil’s capacity to negotiate other transactions, a breakthrough earlier this week has left all but the last details to complete, with no concerns over personal terms with the player expected.
Shortly after that breakthrough, Manchester United jumped ahead of Olympique Lyonnais in the race to sign Tyrell Malacia, negotiating a £17 million fee with Feyenoord and leaving the French club in the dust.
United’s interest has been publicized since Ten Hag’s arrival in London to discuss targets, but the manner in which United’s interest was reported was oddly lacking steps such as “preparing an offer” or “considering stepping up their interest.”
It was unclear whether United was “monitoring the situation” until a fee had been agreed upon.
That ability to beat other teams to transfer targets is not typical of the Edward Woodward era, and there is hope that John Murtough can pull it off again with Lisandro Martinez.
Arsenal have been the frontrunners to recruit the Argentine in recent weeks, but have yet to reach an agreement with Ajax.
According to Mitchel van der Kraan, the player is Ten Hag’s favourite, and having played under the Dutchman only a month earlier, another “gazumping” could be in the cards today.
A contract for Christian Eriksen was tabled a few weeks ago by Football Director Murtough, Head of Recruitment Operations Steve Brown, and solicitor Tom Keane.
The player’s commitment to fellow countryman Thomas Frank, whose Brentford side took a chance in offering Eriksen a route back into top level football, has caused a snag on that front.
It’s possible that the playmaker feels he owes them an in-person meeting before making his decision, and with Eriksen officially becoming a free agent today, that decision is expected soon.
If United can complete all four acquisitions within the next seven days, it will go a long way toward regaining the trust of fans who were sceptical of the new negotiation structure following the tragedy that was the Woodward era.
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Four signings in seven days – Ten Hag issues Murtough a stark deadline
