Branthwaite and De Ligt sign and six exits - transfers Man Utd can complete this week

The overhaul of Manchester United’s first team squad is already underway, but business could now ramp up with stars returning from the Copa America and Euro 2024. Following the arrival of new sporting director Dan Ashworth, the club have already made two major statements in the transfer market, amid the fresh injection of funds following the minority takeover of Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee has arrived in a £36.5million deal from Bologna, while the club have beaten Real Madrid and Liverpool to the signing of teenage Lille star Leny Yoro.

The £52.2m fee for the defender follows the departure of Raphael Varane, who left Old Trafford last month when his contract expired.

Anthony Martial has also become a free agent, while Mason Greenwood is on the verge of negotiating his exit to Marseille. And yet, in a remarkable turnaround, it seems Jadon Sancho still has a future at the club and is back in first team training following showdown talks with Ten Hag.

United’s summer spending isn’t done there either, with the club linked with several more top level stars. However, sales will also need to be made to comply with profit and sustainability rules, and Ten Hag will want his transfer business to be sorted swiftly with his squad soon to depart for their pre-season tour of America. That kicks-off with a game with Arsenal on Sunday, July 28.

Jarrad Branthwaite to sign

United have already had two bids for Jarrad Braithwaite reportedly turned down by Everton, but the landscape for the Merseyside club has now changed dramatically. On Friday, it was confirmed that talks between the club and The Friedkin Group over a potential sale had broken down, leaving them in a precarious financial position.

Branthwaite, 22, is considered a prize asset, and United will now surely capitalise on developments. Their latest rejected offer was said to be in the region of £45m, the kind of figure Everton can no longer afford to resist. And United will not want to hang around with other interested parties likely to also be interested in a cut-price deal.

De Ligt to get over the line

Matthijs de Ligt didn’t play a minute at Euro 2024, and Ten Hag will secretly be relishing prospect of having the Bayern Munich defender arrive at Old Trafford fresh and ready to go. Despite seemingly being surplus to requirements at the Bundesliga club, the strength and ball-playing ability of the 24-year-old means many still deem him the perfect fit for the Premier League.

Player and manager have previously worked together at Ajax. And with Bayern also in the midst of an overhaul, both clubs are likely to want to get a deal done this week so they can press on with other business.

Six stars to be shown the door

Messrs Ratcliffe and Ashworth are seemingly determined not to let the club repeat their transfer mistakes of previous seasons, with Paul Pogba the prime example of a player who left on a free transfer despite being signed for an extortionate fee. And according to ESPN, a number of stars out of contract in 2025 will be sold this summer to avoid similar scenarios.

The potential defensive additions mean Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are all in-line to be sold if the right offers come in. Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen are in the same boat, and with none of the five having commanded a regular first team place last season, the club are unlikely to play hardball when negotiating exits.

Casemiro meanwhile, still has two years left on his lucrative contract. But amid struggles with form and fitness last season, the Brazilian lost his place in the starting XI at the tail-end of the campaign and has attracted interest from Saudi Arabia - with a potential departure to the Middle East likely to suit all parties involved.