Manchester United are looking to reinforce this summer in Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s first transfer window, but are said to be behind Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign one of the Premier League’s most exciting strikers
United and Spurs are both in the Europa League next season, with Ange Postecoglou’s side earning their place thanks to a fifth-place finish in the Premier League
United are eighth in the table and face the 2024/25 campaign without any European qualification
However, thanks to winning the FA Cup after a 2-1 victory over rival Manchester City, Erik ten Hag’s team won a place in next season’s Europa League
In doing so, United have relegated Chelsea to the Europa Conference League, while Newcastle United will now be out of European football for the next campaign, despite both teams finishing above United in the Premier League table
The United board must make a decision regarding Ten Hag’s future and whether the Dutchman will stay at Old Trafford for the final year of his current contract, or whether Sir Jim Ratcliffe will opt for a move to the peach team or not
Although United are the bosses next season, it is clear that attacking reinforcements are needed after an eighth-place finish and a negative final goal difference
And Crystal Palace striker Eberechi Eze has been linked with a move to Old Trafford after an impressive season at Selhurst Park
The 25-year-old has scored 11 goals in 27 Premier League games and is named in Gareth Southgate’s latest 26-man England squad for Euro 2024 this summer
But United are now having trouble trying to sign Eze, as The Sun reports that Spurs are currently ahead of the Old Trafford club in trying to lure the striker away this summer
Eze’s friends and family were spotted in the player’s agency’s hotel room at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at the end of last season
United want to make Eze a ‘brand’ signing this summer, with the Palace striker having a £60m release clause in his contract
But it could be that Spurs now have the upper hand, while also potentially having a bigger budget to fund Eze’s signing, as they don’t have to worry so much about getting close to the interest rules losses, unlike United, who have such capabilities
do like that
will have to be sold this summer to fund key additions to the team
It will be interesting to see what happens with Eze’s future this summer
