Erik ten Hag transfer hope may be dashed by £35m Arsenal decision amid shock Man United swap claim

Erik ten Hag is undoubtedly happy with Manchester United's transfer business this summer so far. The club has acted swiftly to strengthen two key areas before heading off on their pre-season tour to America, with more signings in the pipeline.

Having seen Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial depart at the end of the season when their contracts expired, Ineos have wasted little time in replacing them. Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee have arrived in deals that could rise to more than £90million - not cheap by anyone's standards but with a significant saving on wages and a reduction in the average age, the business offers many positives.

It won't stop there. Another centre-half will arrive at Old Trafford this summer, along with a defensive midfielder and probably a full-back and another attacking option. Matthijs de Ligt, Jarrad Branthwaite, Denzel Dumfries, Jeremie Frimpong, Joao Neves, Manuel Ugarte, Zubimendi, Dani Olmo and Xavi Simons have all been linked with moves to United as Ineos look to add value.

READ MORE: New left-back, big signings - United's dream 25-man squad

READ MORE: United can save £70m and shed dumb money tag by doing one thing

The squad, currently bloated, needs reducing too. United have a number of fringe players who must be shifted on to free up wages and bring in fees that can be reinvested back into the transfer budget.

A start has already been made - Mason Greenwood, Donny van de Beek and Willy Kambwala have been swiftly moved on. United, however, must still sell before they can press ahead with more signings, and that could impact their ability to bring in some of the targets they have identified.

Simons is a case in point. The Netherlands international shone on loan at RB Leipzig last season