Man Utd forced to rethink £230m transfer plan amid ‘realistic’ Erik ten Hag summer budget

Manchester United have made a crucial transfer decision ahead of this summer, according to reports.

Erik ten Hag is keen to add a top-level striker to his squad this summer as he looks to lead his side to another step forward next season following significant improvements during the season just gone. United settled for a Wout Weghorst loan deal to replace Cristiano Ronaldo in the short-term, but they always knew they would have to find a striker of high quality to lead the line long-term.

It’s for that reason Tottenham star Harry Kane is said to have been lined up as a signing, with the forward still hoping to realise his dream of fighting for titles.

But Tottenham are proving a hard nut to crack, following a similar pattern to the actions they took to block Kane’s requested exit to Manchester City two years ago. Tottenham are said to be demanding £100million or more from a Premier League club, keen not to allow their star man to sign for a rival.

According to The Guardian, United have decided to walk away from any possible deal in light of the price tag. The report adds that Ten Hag is realistic about the money he will have to spend, with a takeover not likely to go through in the next few weeks, and for the same reason, Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is likely to come off the board, with the Serie A champions reportedly demanding around £130million.

Rasmus Højlund could be a more realistic option at £50million, but the Dane is still relatively unproven at 20 years of age, and he certainly isn’t in the same category as Kane or Osimhen at this point. But it does seem as though Kane is no longer an option, at least until the striker is willing to burn Tottenham bridgers to force a move. If the 29-year-old is not willing to go down that road, he will likely have to wait until the end of his current contract, which ends after next season.