VAN NISTELROOY URGING MAN UTD TO SIGN £70M PLAYMAKER HE ‘ADORES’ AS TEN HAG ALSO SETS SIGHTS ON FULHAM MAN

Manchester United are reportedly ready to launch a firm bid to sign Xavi Simons next week as part of an incredible triple Dutch transfer raid with new assistant manager Ruud van Nistelrooy the driving force behind the move and amid claims Erik ten Hag also has his eyes on a surprise raid on Fulham for a defensive star.

A busy summer of transfer activity at Old Trafford is about to get underway with a deal close to being finalised for Joshua Zirkzee. Manchester United will pay a combined package of around £45m for the Bologna striker, with £34m heading towards the Serie A side and the rest made up in commission to the Netherland striker’s agent, Kia Joorabchian.Zirkzee will likely, though, be the first of many new additions with sources informing TEAMtalk that minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe – granted full sporting control as a result of his £1.3bn investment into the club earlier this year – wanting at least four, and as many as six or seven, new signings this summer.

Ratcliffe’s focus has always been on strengthening the spine of the United squad, with at least one new centre-half, a midfielder and a new striker on their summer shopping list. A new left-back and a right-sided winger are also seen as desirable, though the urgency for the latter could be over after Jadon Sancho returned to training with the Red Devils having allegedly buried the hatchet with Ten Hag.Following on from the capture of Zirkzee, it emerged that United are in talks to sign a quartet of top stars with a South American midfielder saying ‘yes’ to a prospective move.

Among that four is Matthijs de Ligt, with the Bayern Munich prepared to accept a cut to his £244,000 a week package in Germany to reunite with Ten Hag.Should the centre-half sign on the dotted line, he will strengthen the strong Dutch or Eredivisie connection United already have at the club, with Lisandro Martínez, Andre Onana, Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Mason Mount, Antony and potentiall now Zirkzee and De Ligt all ticking those boxes.

However, another name could soon be added to that list after it emerged on Friday that United were also looking into a potential deal for PSG playmaker Simons, whom has underlined his qualities with a series of impressive displays at Euro 2024.Manchester United are reportedly preparing a firm bid for Xavi Simons, with the move driven by new assistant manager Ruud van Nistelrooy. This potential transfer is part of a broader Dutch transfer raid at Old Trafford, which includes the near-completion of a deal for Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee. The club is set to pay around £45m for Zirkzee, comprising £34m to Bologna and the rest as commission to his agent, Kia Joorabchian.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has full sporting control following his £1.3bn investment, is pushing for significant squad strengthening. United aim to sign at least four new players, focusing on a new centre-half, midfielder, striker, left-back, and potentially a right-sided winger. The latter may be less urgent with Jadon Sancho’s return to training.

Among the targeted signings is Matthijs de Ligt, who is willing to take a pay cut to join United from Bayern Munich. This move would enhance the club’s strong Dutch and Eredivisie connections, alongside players like Lisandro Martínez, Andre Onana, Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Mason Mount, Antony, and potentially Zirkzee and De Ligt.

Additionally, United are exploring a deal for PSG playmaker Xavi Simons, who has impressed at Euro 2024. Erik ten Hag also has his eyes on a defensive star from Fulham, indicating a busy transfer period ahead for the club.