Ed Woodward has set the tone for another summer spending spree by admitting Manchester United are likely to be busy in the transfer market.
The former Premier League champions are expected to show an interest in Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale, whom they attempted to sign two years ago, and whose future at the Bernabeu has been called into doubt after he went seven games without a goal as they crashed out of the Champions League.
United spent £152 million, the most ever by an English club in a transfer window last summer, when they broke the British record to bring in the £59.7 million winger Angel Di Maria and despite a year-on-year drop of 17.7 percent in overall revenue, they recently signed a 10-year deal with adidas worth £750 million.
They have already agreed a £25 million fee with PSV Eindhoven for Netherlands international Memphis Depay, who is the top scorer in the Dutch league, and executive vice-chairman Woodward revealed that there is more to come.
"Regarding this summer's transfer activity, we have already started implementing our plans, and last week announced that Memphis Depay, who is one of the most exciting young players in Europe, will be joining our first-team," he said in a conference call to investors on Thursday.
"We expect to be active again during the window, but it is too early to give guidance on transfers or wages at this point.
"The squad will be absolutely deep enough and ready to challenge on all fronts, all competitions next year.
"That as ever does involve some ins and outs in the summer, which we're not going to guide on in terms of number."
Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett has said the former Tottenham player is staying at Real Madrid but, if United were to buy him, they could break their own record and rival last summer's spending.
Manager Louis van Gaal has already said he wants to sign another holding midfielder after accepting his side have suffered when veteran Michael Carrick has been injured this season.
The Dutchman is also likely to pursue another central defender, probably Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels and a right-back, with Nathaniel Clyne a potential arrival, although Southampton are keen to tie the England international down to a new contract.
United will also need another goalkeeper if David De Gea, who only has one year left on his contract, is sold to Real Madrid.
The club have recently agreed new contracts with Carrick, centre-back Chris Smalling and youngsters Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair. They have also offered a lucrative new deal to De Gea and opened talks with winger Ashley Young, who is willing to re-sign.
Defender Phil Jones and striker Robin van Persie are also out of contract in 2016 and Woodward suggested United are keen to keep more of their current squad.
"There are several players out of our 30 first-team players, maybe around eight or nine, who are out of contract next season," he added.
"Obviously a number of those who have one year left will be offered new contracts and negotiations are under way [with certain players]."