Sir Jim Ratcliffe can offer Manchester United £13m transfer and block Liverpool’s plans

Manchester United’s summer transfer plans are set to involve bargain deals and smart recruiting in Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s first window at the club.

United are set to miss out on European football next season after an uninspiring campaign under Erik ten Hag. Failure to even qualify for the Europa League or Europa Conference League means they will miss out on key income from continental competitions.

In the transfer window, Ten Hag – or a new manager, should INEOS choose to go that route – could be restricted when it comes to business transfers. However, connections through Ratcliffe’s involvement in football elsewhere could see him one of the most consistent performers in Europe.

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Handsome midfielder Khephren Thuram was on Liverpool’s radar last season but the club – also owned by INEOS – demanded £34m. Now, as Thuram enters the final 12 months of his contract, his price has been slashed.

According to French publication Nice-Matin, just £13m could be enough to tempt the Ligue 1 club into a sale. Liverpool are expected to be keen again under manager Arne Slot, but United hold a potential advantage in the deal given the INEOS/Ratcliffe link.

A number of Thuram’s team-mates, such as centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo and goalkeeper Marcin Bulka, were also linked with United ahead of the summer transfer window.

Ratcliffe faces a big challenge in transforming United’s squad ahead of the 2024/25 season and securing a quality midfielder for less than £15m would be a huge coup – especially if Casemiro is sold, with interest reported from Saudi Arabia.