Incoming new Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is reportedly looking to sign Denzel Dumfries this summer after seemingly missing out on his No 1 right-back target.
The Dutchman, 52, has been chosen as United’s new coach from this summer and faces a huge task. The Red Devils have seriously under-performed this season and are facing up to a season outside the Champions League. As it stands, they are on course to play Europa League football.
But it is domestically where Ten Hag will look to make the quickest inroads. United have fallen way behind the standards set by Liverpool and Manchester City. And their limitations are best emphasised by the fact the Merseysiders beat them by an ‘aggregate’ scoreline of 9-0 this season.
Clearly Ten Hag needs to make wholesale changes to his playing squad. That is something interim coach Ralf Rangnick has eluded to, saying just one position at the club is safe.
And amid the speculation over player sales, one report recently claimed Ten Hag may allow as many as 12 first-teamers to depart.
Having conceded a 40-year high of 52 goals this season, it is clear where the Red Devils need to improve.
Speculation suggests Harry Maguire’s time at Old Trafford may be done as Ten Hag seeks to strengthen in the central defensive areas.
However, a new right-back also features high on his list.
Price tag emerges for Denzel Dumfries
And now reports in The Sun claim Ten Hag is pushing hard to sign Inter star Dumfries.
The Dutch star, 26, is well known to the new United boss following his association with PSV. Dumfries starred for Ajax’s rivals for three seasons before switching to Inter last summer.
And Dumfries has impressed for Simone Inzaghi’s side, scoring five times and laying on five other goals this season.
Having signed him for just £12.5m, reports state Inter are seeking £30m for Dumfries – a fee United are willing to meet.
The report claims Ten Hag is turning to Dumfries, having seen his No 1 target – Ajax star Noussair Mazraoui – nearing a move to Bayern Munich.
United will, however, not have it all their own way in pursuit of Dumfries. Reports on Wednesday claimed Tottenham are also paying close attention to the 32-times capped Netherlands international.
Time up for one of Wan-Bissaka or Dalot
With Manchester United evidentally looking to bring in a new full-back, the report claims one of Aaron Wan-Bissaka or Diogo Dalot will be sold this summer.
For Wan-Bissaka, especially, he has failed to live up to expectations in a Manchester United shirt. While a good tackler and an athletic footballer, he lacks the dynamism needed for a moder-day marauding full-back.
Indeed, just two goals and nine assists from 115 appearances for United tells its own story.
Costing £50m, he looks likely to be sold for a fraction of the cost, with former club Crystal Palace seemingly among his suitors.
Wan-Bissaka is also a target for Roma boss Jose Mourinho if reports are to be believed.
Mourinho though is also keen on Portuguese star Dalot, having also brought him to Old Trafford.
He has made the most of his chance in the side under Rangnick and actually done OK on occasions.
As such, he looks the more likely of the two players to avoid the chop this summer.
Also in Dalot’s favour is the fact that he is also a little more versatile. The player is also able to cover at left-back or in a more advanced midfield role.
