Manchester United’s new co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has made it clear that he wants to sign “the next Kylian Mbappe” rather than fight to sign the Frenchman this summer.
Ratcliffe is preparing for his first summer transfer window since buying a 27.7 per cent stake in the club.
Mbappe will be a free agent at the end of this season, after announcing his decision to leave Paris Saint-Germain.
But Ratcliffe, speaking to Geraint Jones on his Cycling Club podcast, has said United will focus on emerging talent rather than established stars.
“I think in a way, what I would rather do is try to sign the next Mbappe than spend a fortune trying to buy success.
“It’s not that clever buying Mbappe, anyone can figure that one out. What’s much more challenging is to find the next Mbappe or [Jude] Bellingham or Roy Keane,” Ratcliffe said.