Five players Man Utd could target in the summer as Sir Jim Ratcliffe sets out transfer plan

Manchester United look set for a summer of major change as their newest investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe puts his stamp on the club. The INEOS chief will take charge of footballing operations once his investment is ratified and transfer business will be at the core of his plans.

But while United will have money to spend - they purposely had a low key January in order to keep funds aside - those transfer coffers will not be infinite. Ratcliffe once described the club he supports as 'dumb money' and this summer presents his first chance to change that reputation.

ESPN reported on Tuesday that in a bid to keep from overspending, United will target players entering the final 12 months of their contract come June - a factor that encouraged them to sign Mason Mount from Chelsea. Luckily for them, a number of world-class players will fit into that category this summer and ManchesterWorld has taken a look at five potential options.

Joshua Kimmich

Kimmich will have been at Bayern Munich for nine-and-a-half years by the end of this season but is looking increasingly likely to leave. The midfielder's contract expires in 2025 and multiple reports have suggested he does not want to sign a new one.

Bayern will not want to risk losing Kimmich on a free in 2025 and so his exit from Bavaria this summer is a real possibility. Manchester City and Liverpool are both long-term admirers and so bringing the 28-year-old to Old Trafford would be no easy task, however, and reports have seen his price-tag vary between £50-70million.

Jonathan David

Centre-forward is a priority area to strengthen at United this summer and Jonathan David would fit the bill as an option in the final 12 months of his deal as LOSC Lille. The Canadian international has long been tipped to make the step up to a top European club and could use his contract situation to force a move in the summer.

David has eight goals in 20 Ligue 1 appearances this season but hit 24 during the 2022-23 campaign. Reports of interest in his signature last month suggested £34m would do the trick, and that price will likely decrease by summer.

Khephren Thuram

Another target from the French league is OGC Nice midfielder Thuram and the 22-year-old could be available for a cut-price ahead of next season. His future at Nice remains uncertain and there is an obvious quirk with the French side's owner, Ratcliffe, set to hold power at United.

Liverpool have been heavily linked with the Frenchman for several months, while Serie A duo Juventus and Inter Milan are also thought to be interested. Reports last summer valued Thuram at around £34m, although that will be subject to change ahead of the next window.

Federico Chiesa

Minutes have been hard to come by at Juventus for Chiesa and his future is growing increasingly uncertain as that 2025 contract expiry closes in. The Italian has only started 13 league games for Max Allegri's side, none of which have come since mid-December.

United's need for a left-winger is not as pressing as other positions, given they already have Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho. But Chiesa can play on either wing and was one of Italy's most promising players before a string of injury issues. A deal for the 26-year-old could cost potential suitors around £50m.

Ivan Toney

Brentford striker Toney returned from an eight-month ban last month and has picked up where he left off, scoring twice in three games. The striker was of interest to United and a number of other clubs last summer but caution was urged amid the imminent suspension.

United remain in the market for a striker and Toney, 27, fits the bill of a more experienced option to help with Rasmus Hojlund's development. He will not come cheap, however, with competition from Arsenal and Chelsea set to drive the price up towards £80m.