Manchester United parachute in Michael Keane's brother to handle summer transfer negotiations

Manchester United have parachuted in the brother of Everton defender Michael Keane to assist with transfer negotiations this summer.

Tom Keane, a solicitor with the legal firm Brandsmiths and an FA registered intermediary with the New Era Global Sports agency, will take up the temporary role with United from the start of next month.

With United’s director of football negotiations Matt Judge due to leave this summer after a decade at Old Trafford, the club have sought additional support with their transfer business during what is a crucial summer of rebuilding.

New manager Erik ten Hag wants up to five new signings, starting with the Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, as United move to reshape the squad after their worst ever Premier League season and Keane is expected to assist that operation.

Judge was at the forefront of United’s transfer negotiations and the main port of call for most agents, intermediaries and sporting directors and his resignation in April was a complication ahead of a critical summer window.

United feel Keane’s experience, contacts and reputation in the football industry will prove a valuable resource over the next couple of months.

One senior source said: “It’s only a temporary position to support our existing staff who are dealing with transfers.”

Until now, football director John Murtough and head of recruitment operations Steve Brown have been handling all negotiations, assisted by the legal and finance departments.

It remains to be seen if United continue to use Keane’s services after the summer or whether he could even be in line for a permanent position in the future but he has not been appointed as Judge’s permanent replacement.

Murtough is expected to intensify his search for a permanent replacement for Judge once the summer window is out of the way.

The older brother of Everton defender Michael Keane and Wigan Athletic striker Will Keane, Keane is a senior associate in the Manchester office of legal firm Brandsmiths, whom he joined in 2018, and particularly known for his work in sport and intellectual property law.

In his profile on the Brandsmiths website, it says Keane has “vast experience in the football industry where he has become a trusted advisor and representative for household name players, managers and pundits. His work for these clients includes negotiating high value transfers, contracts and endorsement agreements.”

The New Era website, which lists Keane among its team, says Keane’s “combination of professionalism and football market knowledge is invaluable to clients”.

United have been involved in protracted negotiations with Barcelona for De Jong, whom Ten Hag has identified as being key to his plans for the team. They hope to be in a position to advance other deals more quickly if they can reach a compromise with Barcelona for De Jong.

United also want to sign Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen on a free transfer and are in talks over the Ajax forward Antony. Ten Hag would also like to add a right back and centre-half ideally.