Sir Jim Ratcliffe is already putting transfer plans into place as he waits for his £1.4billion deal for a 25 per cent stake in Manchester United to be ratified, according to reports. A transfer strategy reset is on the horizon at Old Trafford, with the 71-year-old set to focus on recruitment close to home.
According to the Mail, Sir Jim will order his new-look recruitment team to prioritise homegrown talent if they possess the required quality.
United are among the Premier League heavyweights to have floated away from domestic talent in favour of the overseas market in recent years.
However, the INEOS founder wants to re-establish a local core in Erik ten Hag’s squad despite acknowledging that the British market tends to be over-inflated.
Sir Jim is said to view experience in English football as a key trait United should look to exploit once he inherits sporting control from the Glazer family.
And it’s claimed that United have already identified two Premier League players to potentially pursue next summer, likely the first transfer window under Sir Jim’s influence.
The Mail report that the Red Devils are one of the clubs closely monitoring Brentford striker Ivan Toney upon his return to football.
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Toney is expected to leave Brentford next summer, and Arsenal and Chelsea have also been touted with an interest in the 27-year-old.
A switch to Premier League title challengers Arsenal is said to appeal to Toney, who made his England debut in a 2-0 win against Ukraine in March.
United are also reportedly eyeing Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi as they search for a long-term replacement for Raphael Varane.
Guehi has become one of the most highly-rated centre-backs in the Premier League since leaving Chelsea for Selhurst Park and has earned nine England caps.
It could prove challenging to lure him away from Palace, though. The Mail add that the 23-year-old is unlikely to be available for less than £60m next summer.
Sir Jim is set to make a string of appointments in United’s hierarchy, including INEOS director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford, who will secure a strategic role.
United football director John Murtough is thought to be under threat, with the British billionaire reportedly targeting at least two new senior recruitment executives.
Paul Mitchell has been strongly linked with replacing Murtough alongside Dougie Freedman, Michael Edwards, Julian Ward and Dan Ashworth.