Jarrad Branthwaite Manchester United transfer 'alternative' emerges amid Man City competition

Manchester United face an intriguing summer in the transfer market after deciding to keep manager Erik ten Hag in charge.

The Dutchman is expected to have less control over incomings at Old Trafford, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos now running football operations. New technical director Jason Wilcox is set to have a major say on any new signings, with Dan Ashworth also expected to join as director of football when United agree compensation with Newcastle.

And Portuguese publication A Bola have claimed that Sporting centre-back Goncalo Inacio is of interest. MEN Sport understands that United are planning to sign two new centre-backs this summer after the departure of Raphael Varane.

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The report claims that United are the only ones interested in Inacio at this stage. It is claimed that he will only leave for the price of his £60million release clause and that the Reds may trigger this by the end of June.

However, United's potential move for Inacio is also likely to depend on their move for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite. United had an opening bid of £35m for Branthwaite rejected by the Toffees on Friday, with the Merseysiders valuing him at between £70m-£80m.

Elsewhere, French publication L’Equipe have claimed that United are in the race to sign Paris Saint-Germain winger Xavi Simons. It is claimed that the 21-year-old faces an uncertain future in Paris, with United, Arsenal, Manchester City and Bayern Munich all said to have ‘expressed their interest’.

It is said that a new loan is 'the most likely hypothesis' given that a large proportion of the sum from a permanent transfer would go to PSV rather than PSG due to the agreement they reached last year, and it is not in the Parisians’ best interest to sell at this stage.

Speaking to Eindhoven Dagblad at the beginning of June, Simons confirmed he would resume discussions with PSG after Euro 2024. "I will make a decision after the European Championships and a short break," he said.

"I want to be focussed on the tournament because that is my current priority and afterwards already will speak with PSG."