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Manchester United are among Premier League clubs that have made an offer for Leeds United winger Raphinha, according to Sport.
The Red Devils are yet to make a signing this summer, but have already been linked with multiple players including Frenkie de Jong and Antony.
Antony has been earmarked as a potential candidate to bolster the right-wing department, but he will cost between €70-80 million.
Sport now claims that United are one of many Premier League sides that have made a proposal for Raphinha, who is also a right-winger.
However, the Brazil international continues to have Barcelona as his priority, having already agreed personal terms in March this year.
The Blaugrana recently approved a couple of economic levers, but it is claimed that they would still need to have the €50m valuation lowered.
Our view:
United have lacked sufficient creativity from the right wing in recent seasons. Mason Greenwood showed promise, but he is indefinitely suspended.
Jadon Sancho was expected to provide a solution after his big-money move from Borussia Dortmund last summer, but the England star also tended to struggle.
The 22-year-old looked comfortable after switching to the left wing. It could be a position where he could establish himself if United pursue a specialist right-winger.
Antony is obviously the prime target for manager Erik ten Hag, having coached him at Ajax over the past two seasons. However, it won’t be easy to prise him away.
While the price tag could act as a potential stumbling block, new Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder has recently emphasised that he would like to keep the Brazilian star.
This could urge United to look at alternative options. Raphinha is tried and tested in the Premier League. He bagged 11 goals and three assists for Leeds last term.
He could seamlessly adapt unlike other signings, but persuading him could be a difficult process with his main preference being to join Barcelona this summer.
United could still have an opportunity to sign him with the Catalans’ financial problems, but this saga could drag on until the final weeks of the window.
Manchester United struck a deal with EPL Side For starlet
Man United have allowed a number of first-team players to depart following the expiration of their respective contracts, but the early days of the summer transfer window have seen John Murtough and his recruitment team struggle to offload players who still have years remaining on their deals.
However, now they’ve managed to find an agreement regarding the first such exit under Erik ten Hag’s reign.
United have struck a deal with newly promoted Premier League side Nottingham Forest to send their goalkeeper Dean Henderson on a season-long loan, The Athletic have reported. The 25-year-old’s move is subject to a medical, with Forest understood to be covering his fully salary.
Henderson, a start performer for Sheffield United during a loan spell in 2019-20 campaign, failed to displace David de Gea between the sticks under Ralf Rangnick.
The England international has been determined to not spend another season on the bench, and has accepted to become a key part of Steve Cooper’s side at the City Ground. He would be replacing first-choice goalkeeper Brice Samba, who is expected to join Lens.
Lee Grant and Henderson’s departures mean United are left with just one senior goalkeeper – Tom Heaton – to cover for the Spaniard. But it is believed they are in talks with Watford to sign Daniel Bachmann. The Austrian has two years left on his contract at Vicarage Road.
Manchester United offer €65m plus add-ons for Barca midfielder
Manchester United have made a fresh bid of €65 million plus add-ons for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, Spanish publication Marca claims.
The Red Devils have made it a priority to sign the Netherlands international this summer, but they are yet to reach a transfer agreement with the Blaugrana.
Their opening bid of €60m plus €20m in add-ons was rejected by the Blaugrana, and they have now improved their offer with a fixed fee of around €65m.
However, the Catalan giants are expected to reject the proposal as well. The club are eyeing at least €75m as the initial fee to part ways with the Dutch midfielder.
The Blaugrana can only spend one-third of the funds received from De Jong’s sale amid Financial Fair Play restrictions. Hence, they are not in a hurry to sell.
While United want to take advantage of their financial issues, Xavi Hernandez’s side prefer to play the waiting game until their asking price is met.
Our view:
Barcelona’s socios approved a couple of economic levers earlier this month, and this could provide with funds of up to €700m to cover up the recent losses.
Despite this, they may need to offload players to ease their wage bill, but the urgency has somewhat reduced. They are prepared to sanction deals at the right price.
Hence, United can’t expect any favours from the Blaugrana at the moment, and this saga could drag on until the club come closer to the reported valuation.
Meanwhile, it was recently claimed that De Jong has been convinced by United manager Erik ten Hag over a potential transfer to Old Trafford this summer.
However, Marca suggests otherwise. It is reported that the player would need time to assess his future if the clubs come to a suitable agreement over the fee.
The pursuit of De Jong was always expected to be a tedious process, and there is a possibility that the negotiations could prolong for the next few weeks.
Barca offer €35m plus add-ons for German superstar
Barcelona continues to negotiate the transfer of Robert Lewandowski with Bayern Munich. The Bavarian team knows that there is interest from other clubs to sign the Polish striker, but Lewandowski has already made it clear that Barca has priority in terms of possible offers and, now, the culé team has put a new proposal on the table of the German team. According to Roman Fabrizio, the offer is €35 million fixed plus variables, so the transfer figure could rise to 40-45 million euros.
However, sources close to Bayern believe that this offer will not be enough to convince the Germans. We will have to wait to see what happens and if Bayern Munich give their arm to twist so that Lewandowski can sign for FC Barcelona.
Let us remember that Chelsea is following the negotiations closely and that it could intervene at any time, since Thomas Tuchel’s team has greater financial solvency and, therefore, with more options to improve Barca’s offer and convince Bayern Munich.
Liverpool offer starring role to sign £60.4m star
Liverpool are consistently linked with Dutch international, Matthijs de Ligt, who may end up leaving Juventus in the summer transfer window.
According to Corriere dello Sport, the Reds are prepared to take advantage of the player’s contract situation in Turin to hire his services.
As per another story published by Corriere Torino, Liverpool are offering De Ligt a starring role in the side to secure his signing.
The Italian media outlet have mentioned that the Merseysiders want the 22-year-old to move to Anfield and partner Virgil van Dijk in the central defense. The duo form the usual defensive partnership for the Netherlands.
As far as the competition is concerned, it is reported that Chelsea are pressing to lure him in order to replace Antonio Rudiger, who has recently signed for European Champions, Real Madrid.
The former Ajax superstar’s current deal with the Old Lady will expire in the summer of 2024 and as per Calcio Mercato, he is valued at around 70 million euros (£60.4million).
In the 2018-19 Champions League winning season, Matip regularly started with Van Dijk in the central defense. A year later, we won the Premier League and Gomez was the main starter with Virgil.
Last season, Matip mainly started in the Premier League and Konate was preferred in the Champions League and the duo performed brilliantly at the back.
Therefore, it will be a huge surprise if Matthijs de Ligt arrives to immediately get a place in the starting XI.
