Manchester United behind Tottenham in struggle to land 'marquee' attacker in £60m summer transfer

Manchester United are seeking to bring reinforcements in this summer in Sir Jim Ratcliffe's first transfer window in charge but are said to be behind Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign one of the Premier League's most exciting attackers.

Both United and Spurs will be in the Europa League next season, with Ange Postecoglou's side booking their place through a fifth placed finish in the Premier League.

United finished eighth in the table and looked like they were facing the 2024/25 campaign without any European football.

However, thanks to winning the FA Cup following a 2-1 victory over cross-town rivals Manchester City, Erik ten Hag's outfit booked their place in the Europa League next season.

By doing so, United relegated Chelsea to playing in the Europa Conference League, while Newcastle United will now have no European football next campaign, despite both sides finishing above United in the Premier League table.

United's hierarchy have a decision to make in terms of Ten Hag's future and if the Dutchman will remain at Old Trafford for the final year of his current contract, or if Sir Jim Ratcliffe will opt to make a change in the dugout.

Whoever is United boss for the start of next season, it is clear that attacking reinforcements are needed after an eighth placed finish and a negative final goal difference.

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And Crystal Palace attacker Eberechi Eze has been linked with a switch to Old Trafford after an impressive season at Selhurst Park.

The 25-year-old scored 11 goals in 27 Premier League games and has been included in Gareth Southgate's final 26-man England squad for Euro 2024 this summer.

But United appear to currently be on the back foot when it comes to trying to sign Eze, as The Sun reports that Spurs are currently ahead of the Old Trafford club in terms of trying to tempt the attacker to make a change this summer.

Eze's friends and family were spotted in the player's agency's hospitality suite at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium towards the end of last season.

United want to make Eze a 'marquee' signing this summer, with the Palace attacker having a £60m release clause in his contract.

But it may be that Spurs have the upper hand at present, as well as potentially having a bigger budget to fund Eze's signature thanks to not having to be too concerned with going near Profit and Sustainability rules, unlike United who are likely to going to have to sell this summer to fund any sizable additions to the squad.

It will be interesting to see what happens with Eze's future this summer.