Transfer Centre

Manchester United's summer transfer plans 'currently in limbo'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 12 April 2023

Manchester United's plans for the summer transfer window are 'in limbo' due to the ownership situation at the club, according to a report.

Manchester United's plans for the summer transfer window are reportedly 'in limbo' due to the uncertainty surrounding the ownership situation at the club.

The Glazer family are currently negotiating a potential sale of the 20-time English champions, with Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe seen as the favourites.

However, recent movements suggest that the second bids lodged by the pair - believed to be around £5bn - are short of the asking price set by the Glazers, which is thought to be £6bn.

There have also been claims that the Glazers could ultimately pull the plug on a sale, and the process is expected to continue for at least the next four or five weeks.

According to the Daily Mail, Man United's plans for the summer transfer window are being impacted by the ownership situation, with the club currently unable to make any firm movements for potential targets.

Ineos chairman Jim Ratcliffe is pictured at Old Trafford in Manchester, Britain, March 17, 2023 © Reuters

The report claims that the Red Devils are keen on signing Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham, with Liverpool now out of the race for the England international.

However, Erik ten Hag's side cannot make any serious plans until it is clear who will own the club moving forward and how much money there will be to spend this summer.

Man United are also expected to move for a big-money centre-forward this summer, with Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane and Napoli's Victor Osimhen seen as their leading targets.

Sheikh Jassim has already made it clear that he would be prepared to invest heavily in Man United, which would include improving the training ground and potentially building a new stadium.

The Qatari banker has also vowed to clear the debt at Old Trafford, but Ratcliffe's offer is only thought to be for 69% of the club.

Harry Kane celebrates scoring for Tottenham Hotspur on April 8, 2023 © Reuters

As well as a striker and a midfielder, a recent report claimed that the Red Devils want to sign a goalkeeper, right-back and centre-back during the summer market.

Meanwhile, there could allegedly be as many as 13 outgoings at the end of the campaign, with Ten Hag keen to move the players on who do not figure in his plans.

Man United ended a six-year trophy drought by winning the EFL Cup at the end of February, and they are still active in the Europa League and FA Cup.

The Red Devils will welcome Sevilla to Old Trafford on Thursday night for the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final before heading to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday.

Man United will be without their leading goalscorer in the coming matches, though, with Marcus Rashford ruled out due to the issue that he suffered against Everton on Saturday.