Ten Hag explains impact Man Utd takeover is having on summer transfer plans
Erik ten Hag has insisted that this summer's transfer business and pursuit of big-names such as reported targets Harry Kane and Mason Mount will be unaffected amid the ongoing takeover saga at the club.
The Glazer Family are looking to acquire new investment in Manchester United, with INEOS founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qatari born Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani thought to be leading the way. The process has become drawn out, with multiple final deadlines for bids as deal brokers the Raine Group seek to secure a takeover as close to their £6billion valuation as possible.
The extended process, which was first anticipated to be completed following the initial February deadline, is now expected to reach a conclusion following the end of the season. This has led to speculation that their summer transfer targets may not be secured as planned, with new owners likely to have differing visions for the future of the club ahead of the window opening on June 14th.
Kane is believed to be the main target for United, with ten Hag expected to make the England captain his priority amid his search for a striker. In addition, Mount is believed to be on the United manager's radar, with talks reported to have taken place over a £55million transfer.
The reported talks regarding Mount suggest that there is movement within United's recruitment team. When asked about whether the focus remained on the club's summer transfers amid the ongoing takeover, ten Hag told Sky Sports News: "Yeah, that's what I'm doing and that's our job.
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"This season that has to be our energy and the focus, but of course we are also planning for the future, for next season and that's what we have to do. And that is also talking with your scouting department, recruitment responsibilities, and talking with players of course."
Harry Kane and Mason Mount are believed to top United's list of summer transfer targets ((Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)) Who should be Man Utd's priority target this summer? Have your say in the comments
Ten Hag is believed to take a leading role with recruitment, shaping a squad he believes can challenge for major honours. When asked whether the club would continue to pursue transfer targets even if the Glazer family remained in charge, Ten Hag responded: "I think so. I came in here [at the end of] last season and we talked about what can we do in the squad, what can we do in transfers.
"And last year, the club confirmed they can do. So, for me, I don't think anything changed and yeah, in this summer period we can do the same."
United are preparing for a return to Champions League football next season, with just a single point required from their final two matches at home against Chelsea and Fulham to secure a spot in the top four. This leaves them in an advantageous position as they plan summer transfer activity, with an advantage over usual rivals Chelsea and Liverpool in a competitive market.
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