Manchester United have included a Barcelona wonderkid on their three-man transfer shortlist.
United are in a battle to claim a Champions League place next season, with Erik ten Hag’s men languishing in sixth, some 11 points adrift of Aston Villa. United are also set to take on Coventry in the semi-final of the FA Cup.
While Ten Hag’s future at the club remains uncertain, United have one eye on their summer plans.
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The club are widely reported to have moved a step closer to installing Jason Wilcox as technical director after making a formal approach to Southampton on Monday.
The club have also already identified Dan Ashworth as their new director of football, but remain in compensation talks with Newcastle.
Although Ashworth and Wilcox aren't in position yet, the Mail Online claim United are already drawing up plans for the summer transfer window.
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The publication alleges that at least one centre-back will be on the shopping list, with Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite among the players they are considering.
They are also interested in the 18-year-old Boca Juniors defender Aaron Anselmino, according to the publication, while Mikayil Faye, a 19-year-old Senegal defender who plays for Barcelona B, is reportedly being targeted.
Faye has not only impressed United scouts but Barcelona's first-team star Jules Kounde.
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“I had the opportunity to get to know him a lot in pre-season and to see him a little bit recently as well,” Kounde said via football-espana.net. “He’s very, very explosive, very dynamic, very aggressive, very good with the ball”
Ashworth and Wilcox are reportedly expected to be in place this summer and even if Ten Hag survives to start a third season in charge he will have less influence over recruitment.
Ten Hag's tenure has been notable for the number of new signings who have played in the Eredivisie, including Antony, Lisandro Martinez, Andre Onana and Sofyan Amrabat.
Chris Byfield