I don't mean anyone with a Dutch passport who Ten Hag once smiled at.
Nor do I mean £100M+ players who we are never going to go for.
Realistic transfer targets who are attainable and are the sort of player who will fit into Ten Hag's philosophy.
Enlighten me.
I honestly think the names in the media the real targets. Any coach takes players that he knows or from his own country (when coaching in a foreign country) with him to a new club. Ten Hag even specifically said that he doesn't rule out taking Ajax players with him, even though it's very common that managers say that they will not take players with them or at least are not eying them (out of respect for the former club).
I think Frenkie de Jong is actually his main target. I don't believe these rumours are here out of thin air and also in The Netherlands these rumours are taken seriously.I believe Timber is serious as well because of his versatility and the fact that Timber is relatively cheap (he'll cost around 35M I think and if you want to buy a elite CB you're gonna need twice or three times that amount). Since Ten Hag apparently wants to strenghten quite a lot of positions, but obvoiusly the transfer budget is not unlimited, it makes sense that he would take a player that he knows and rates highly along with him knowing that he's relatively cheap compared to other potential targets as well as being able to play multiple positions.
Apparently United have 120M to spend for at least 1 CM, CB and versatile attacker. Apparently a second midfielder is also wanted, but I think that will depend more on additional funds generated from outgoing players. Frenkie de Jong seems to be the primary target. IN the scenario that this happens I can see:
1. Frenkie de Jong (60M)
2. Jurrien Timber (35M)
3. 25M left for a versatile attacker. I was going to mention Steven Bergwijn as someone else mentioned him in another thread and I do think he fits the profile as well as the money left in the budget. However I don't think Ten Hag will sign 3 players and then all of them being Dutch. But there must be other versatile attackers available with the same profile and price tag as Bergwijn. I could also see United paying 45-50M + Telles for Frenkie de Jong, then there's around 35M/40M left for a versatile attacker, which expands the options.
The second scenario where Frenkie de Jong is out of reach, then I can see United going for Nkunku instead as a top signing and then going for a less prolific DM. Remember Ten Hag has switched his systems at Ajax, so if he can't get De Jong he might go for a regular DM, adjust the tactics that he was going to apply and change the transfer targets accordingly. Then I could see happening:
1. Christopher Nkunku (60M, unless he has a lower buyout clause)
2. Jurrien Timber (35M)
3. Edson Alvarez (30M) / Ibrahim Sangare (25M)
Then if other players get sold, I reckon another midfielder + RB are next.