Topics: Erik Ten Hag, Manchester United, Harry Kane, Declan Rice, Cody Gakpo
Erik ten Hag's four preferred signings at Manchester United have been revealed in a new in-depth report.
After a thorough end of season review, Ten Hag is expected to remain at Old Trafford following lengthy talks with those high up within the club.
The two parties feel as though they are on the same page and are looking at extending Ten Hag's contract beyond 2025.
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However it has been reported that Ten Hag will be taking a backseat when it comes to recruitment having not excelled in that department.
In the detailed piece from Laurie Whitwell in The Athletic, it's claimed that there were four specific targets that Ten Hag was unsuccessful in trying to sign.
During his first summer at the helm, Ten Hag was keen on bringing in Cody Gakpo from PSV and he was available for £40 million.
The Dutchman liked the fact that his compatriot can play in multiple positions and wanted both he and Antony - though United could only afforded one and signed the litter from Ajax for £86 million.
Gakpo joined Liverpool in the January and in the second summer window, Ten Hag was pushing hard to acquire Harry Kane after it became apparent he looked likely to leave Spurs.
But United chiefs refused to enter negotiations with Daniel Levy and also felt Kane wasn't worth the fee quoted.
Instead they paid £72 million for Rasmus Hojlund, who scored 16 times in his debut season but is a work in progress.
Ten Hag also wanted Kane's England colleague Declan Rice and wanted to sign him for the second successive summer and United made contact with West Ham.
But he signed for Arsenal for a fee of £105 million and United focused on bringing in his best friend Mason Mount.
And finally, Ten Hag was in favour of a deal for Inter Milan right-back Denzel Dumfries and a swap with Diogo Dalot was discussed.
However both clubs wanted a fee included and United cooled interest when Tyrell Malacia got injured as they needed Dalot to cover on the opposite side.
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