Erik ten Hag's No.2 transfer plan could be scuppered thanks to £67million clause

02 May 2023 , 05:30

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Erik ten Hag's No.2 transfer plan could be scuppered thanks to £67million clause

It's no secret that Erik ten Hag is desperate to acquire an elite striker in the summer transfer window as he bids to kick his Manchester United rebuild up a notch.

Marcus Rashford has been in electric form for the Red Devils since Ten Hag took the reins, but United still lack the natural No.9 required to turn them into title contenders once again.

Funds will be available for the Dutchman to amend that issue in the summer, with Tottenham talisman Harry Kane believed to be United's top target. Ten Hag has, however, also been running the rule over other potential targets incase a deal for Kane cannot be struck.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham is one name under consideration if a move for Kane fails to materialise. The Italian outlet claims that United scouts watched the 25-year-old at the weekend, where he scored in AS Roma 's 1-1 draw with AC Milan.

Abraham has been linked with a move to the Premier League on more than one occasion since leaving Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2021.

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But Ten Hag's hopes of luring Abraham back to England could be hampered by the £67million buyback clause that Chelsea inserted in the initial deal that took the striker to Rome. The clause would mean the Blues have first refusal on their academy graduate if he does move on from Roma this summer, with the Italian club obliged to let the Londoners know of any bids if they arrive.

Although Kane is, understandably, Manchester United's primary target, striking a deal with Spurs supremo Daniel Levy - a notoriously tough negotiator - is likely to be anything but straightforward.

Join the debate! Do you think Abraham would be a good signing for Man Utd if a deal can't be struck for Kane? Let us know here.

Man United have been scouting Tammy Abraham, but Chelsea have first refusal on their former striker (Getty Images)

Ten Hag recently admitted that sourcing a new forward is his top priority for the summer after having a dearth of orthodox central strikers available during the season. The United chief said: “It’s not a secret that over the whole season we had a shortage of No.9s.

“First, we had the dropout of [Cristiano] Ronaldo, then Antony Martial was often not available, Jadon Sancho was often not available, then you have a shortage of frontline players.

“With less players we have to cover many games, so definitely we need in the frontline players who strengthen the squad. You can approach that from many ways. The typical No.9, Rashford can also play very good as a No. 9 and Anthony Martial is a great No.9.

“We have players who can play in that role but, definitely, we need some offensive players who are really impact players, quality players, who improve the frontline.”

Dan Marsh