Word stemming from the English media on Thursday points towards Erik ten Hag as having set his sights on an out-of-favour member of Tottenham Hotspur’s frontline as a key Manchester United target ahead of the summer.
The player in question? Steven Bergwijn.
Dutch international Bergwijn has of course endured an altogether underwhelming campaign to date, afforded starts in just four of Spurs’ 31 Premier League fixtures under the combined watch of Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte.
In turn, fellow countryman ten Hag is understood to be keen to take advantage of the situation.
As per a report from Jack Gaughan of the Daily Mail, Bergwijn ‘could become the first signing of the Erik ten Hag revolution at Manchester United’.
Ten Hag is known to be a long-time admirer of the winger’s talents, having led a concerted albeit ultimately fruitless push for his signing at Ajax this past January.
Evidently, though, the Dutchman has not yet given up hope of joining forces with Bergwijn ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, with a £20 million proposal for his services potentially in the pipeline upon the summer transfer window swinging open once more.
? Erik ten Hag is considering moving for long-term target Steven Bergwijn when he takes over at #mufc. He is likely to cost around £20m. [@Jack_Gaughan]
— UtdDistrict ?? (@UtdDistrict) April 14, 2022
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Word of ten Hag setting his sights on potential reinforcements at Old Trafford ahead of next season of course comes fresh on the back of a major development in the Dutchman’s long-touted Man United switch being confirmed earlier this week.
As per a host of reliable sources, the Red Devils have reached a ‘verbal agreement’ with ten Hag over taking his place on the bench at the Theatre of Dreams ahead of next season.
An official announcement, in turn, is expected to be forthcoming at some point following Ajax’s KNVB Cup finale showdown with PSV Eindhoven this weekend.
? EXCLUSIVE: Man Utd reach verbal agreement in principle with Erik Ten Hag to become next permanent manager. #MUFC will need agreement with #Ajax (who are aware) & to finalise contract (up to 4yrs). No announcement til after Dutch Cup final @TheAthleticUK https://t.co/VTVzg6gCGx
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) April 12, 2022
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