- FFP limitations and ownership uncertainty will restrict their January spending
- Ivan Toney is too expensive but a striker is a priority, as well as a defender
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Manchester United will be limited to cheap or loan deals in the January transfer window amid ongoing uncertainty over their ownership.
A striker and a defender are top of Erik ten Hag‘s shopping list but Financial Fair Play restrictions and a lack of clarity over Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s purchase of a 25 per cent stake will prevent big spending.
It also remains to be seen how much United can recoup for the exiled Jadon Sancho as the club’s hierarchy weigh up various contract extensions.
United would like to sign striker Ivan Toney but Brentford‘s January asking price of £100million will prove well beyond their reach in January.
Ten Hag would ideally have a reliable centre forward to provide back-up for £72m summer arrival Rasmus Hojlund, who hasn’t yet scored a Premier League goal.
Erik ten Hag needs squad reinforcements but Manchester United won’t spend big in January
Planning for January business has been slowed while Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s £1.2billion purchase of 25 per cent of United is confirmed by the Glazer family
United would like another striker but Brentford’s £100m valuation is Ivan Toney is too high
Reinforcements at the heart of their defence, which has proved leaky in the opening weeks of the season, are also a priority.
Names in the frame include Jean-Clair Todibo of Nice, Edmond Tapsoba of Bayer Leverkusen, Giorgio Scalvini of Atalanta and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite.
However, discussions over defensive targets have cooled for the moment amid doubts over whether director of football John Murtough will still be in post when the window opens.
Certainty will only come when Ratcliffe’s £1.25billion investment is ratified, with the INEOS billionaire wanting control over football operations at Old Trafford.
While goalkeeper Dean Henderson’s £20m departure to Crystal Palace in the summer offers United some financial leeway, their January spending will be restricted by FFP to cheap buys or loans.
This may…