Erik ten Hag wants to buy English players but they are too EXPENSIVE

Erik ten Hag admits he would like to buy English players but claims they are too EXPENSIVE as he pursues Ajax winger Antony and Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong after bringing in three foreign signings this summer

  • Erik ten Hag would buy British but the cost of domestic players is inflated
  • Manchester United have brought in three foreign players so far this summer
  • Those players include Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez
  • United are also chasing Ajax winger Antony and Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong 

Erik ten Hag claims he would happily buy British but the cost of domestic players is inflated compared to foreign signings.

United have brought in three players so far this summer – Feyenoord full-back Tyrell Malacia for £14.6m, free agent Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez for £55.3m from Ten Hag’s old club Ajax.

United are also chasing Ajax winger Antony and Frenkie de Jong who played under Ten Hag at the Amsterdam club. United have a £71m deal in place with Barcelona for De Jong, but the deal has been complicated by the £17m he is owed by the Catalan club in deferred wages and the player’s reluctance to move to Old Trafford.

Erik ten Hag claims he would happily buy British but the cost of domestic players is inflated


United have signed Christian Eriksen (L) Tyrell Malacia (R) and Lisandro Martinez this summer

A pattern seems to be emerging under Ten Hag but the new United boss insists he would rather by English players if there was not a premium on homegrown talent.

‘I would like to sign English players because I think there is only one criteria and that’s quality in combination with the price,’ said Ten Hag. 

‘It looks like English players are quite expensive. It’s a fact you cannot deny. In the end, it’s about quality.’

United are also chasing Ajax winger Antony (left) and Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong

 Ten Hag was reluctant to discuss De Jong by name as protracted talks continue with Barcelona

Ten Hag was reluctant to discuss De Jong by name as protracted talks continue with Barcelona. United have other options, though, and the manager is ready to look elsewhere or stick with what he has if his No.1 target eludes him.

‘We are looking for a player who can playing in the holding midfield position, but it has to be the right one,’ said Ten Hag. ‘There are not many in that position capable of the level we demand.

‘We have a list and we will strike the moment the player is available. When we can’t find him, we have to deal with the players in our squad now and we will develop one in that position.’




Share this article


Source: Read Full Article