Man Utd Transfer News: £50m striker BID, Vitor Roque HOPE and Mason Greenwood 'ROW'

Graham Shaw

• 7 Jul 2023 06:00 BST
• 9 min read

Man Utd are reportedly ready to launch a £50m bid for Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund.

The Red Devils are still in the market for a new, proper number nine after having focused on other targets until now.

Due to Financial Fair Play regulations and a lack of funds because of the ongoing takeover saga, United have had to end their pursuits of Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen. Goncalo Ramos has been posited as a potential option, as has Randal Kolo Muani, but both would command north of €100 million.

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This has seen Hojlund emerge as the most realistic possible target. Indeed, United have already tested the waters with some media outlets even claiming that they had a very low bid rejected last week. While the latter was disputed by Fabrizio Romano, new reports suggest that Manchester United will soon table a formal offer of around £50m.

Atalanta are believed to want around £60m to part with their Danish star.

Vitor Roque HOPE as Barcelona given deadline

Athletico Paranaense have given Barcelona a 24-hour ultimatum to complete the Vitor Roque deal, according to Spanish media.

The news comes along with reports that Man Utd are ready to swoop for the precocious talent.

The Catalans have been working on a transfer for the Brazilian wonderkid for months, but nothing has as yet materialised as there is still uncertainty about whether the Blaugrana can register the 18-year-old immediately or whether they will only be able to bring him in next year.

This is due to their ongoing financial issues. While the free transfer signings of Ilkay Gundogan and Inigo Martinez have already been completed, the deal for Vitor Roque, which could rise to as much as €55 million, is proving to be a different beast altogether. Without some high-profile sales, it appears unlikely that the striker will be able to join this summer.

Man Utd set for FRESH Onana bid as Inter deal moves closer

Manchester United have submitted a fresh offer for Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Cameroonian has emerged as Erik ten Hag's number-one target to replace David de Gea, who is now a free agent after United reneged on their initial contract offer for their long-time servant. Onana already starred under the Dutchman at Ajax.

Talks between Inter and United over a possible Onana transfer have been going on for several days, but the Red Devils' approaches had thus far proved unsatisfactory to the Nerrazzuri hierarchy, with their sporting director Piero Ausilio airing his frustration publicly.

"As of today, the proposals are not at the level we expected," he said. "In this moment, he's our goalkeeper and Andre is a key player for us - we'd like to keep him, then we'll see what happens. We wait for him on 13 July for pre-season."

United saw their opening bid of €40 million plus €6m in add-ons rejected, but they have now improved their offer.

According to Fabrizio Romano, United's new bid clocks in at €45m plus €5m add-ons. Inter are said to be holding out for a "€60m package," if the Italian is to be believed. But the transfer expert also mentioned that "sources believe €55m could be the right number to make it happen."

Sir Jim Ratcliffe responds to 'dead in the water' takeover claims

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has responded to reports claiming that his Manchester United takeover bid is 'dead in the water.'

The ownership saga is still dragging on. It appeared as though Sheikh Jassim was finally the favourite to win the bidding war with Sir Jim Ratcliffe, only for new reports to surface that the Qatari banker was getting increasingly frustrated with the Glazers, the current owners, dragging their feet, casting doubt on the prospects of a takeover.

The unpopular Americans' lack of urgency has been heavily criticised by Red Devils fans and even head coach Erik ten Hag hasn't always managed to contain his frustration as his ambitions to build a team capable of challenging for the Premier League next season are currently hamstrung due to uncertainty over the club's budget.

In late June, Bloomberg claimed that Jassim was growing increasingly confident of finally striking a deal as Ratcliffe's offer, that would see him only buy out the Glazers and do it via a gradual, drawn-out process, had caused outrage among United's minority shareholders. David Hellier went so far as to claim that Ratcliffe's bid is 'dead in the water.'

Now, the man himself has given his thoughts on the situation.

"We have a good offer and we have met with the Glazers a couple of times,” Ratcliffe said at a recent book launch. "We’ve had good discussions with them."

"We would still very much like to do it," he continued. "And we would be doing it for the right reasons. But in the end, it is their decision, not our decision."

"Teams don’t come around very often. There are some special teams and the value of them tends to go up. They ain’t making them any more. Manchester United and these type of clubs, it’s like art or areas like that."

"When you have special things, their value continues to pick up over time. It’s because they are very special and rare. I don’t like throwing money away or losing money. It doesn’t make me happy at all."

"But we aren’t there to make money out of it. If it’s a really good asset it will increase its value over time."

Shock goalkeeper bid as Man Utd linked with Japanese star Suzuki

Manchester United are closing on the signing of Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki as a potential replacement for David de Gea, according to reports.

The Red Devils are in the market for a new No.1 with De Gea now out of contract.

Andre Onana is understood to be their top transfer target in the position, but United and his current employers Inter remain about €20 million apart in terms of their valuation of the player.

United will need to sell players in order to fund the Onana deal, with the lack of equity investment from the Glazer family over the last three years leaving their transfer budget at just £120m before they an initial £55m of that on Chelsea's Mason Mount.

Urawa Red Diamonds' Suzuki represents a significantly cheaper alternative.

"Manchester United have been scouting Urawa's Japan international goalkeeper Suzuki for a long time," report Japanese sports daily Sponichi. "They admire his physical ability and future potential.

"They are said to have made a serious effort to acquire him this summer, and have already made a formal offer of £5 million."

Harry Maguire gets Man Utd PAY RISE - yes, really

Manchester United face an additional challenge to sell centre-back Harry Maguire because the England international has received a wage increase ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Maguire, in common with his Man Utd teammates, including Cristiano Ronaldo, who took exception to the news, saw his salary slashed by a reported 25% last summer after the Red Devils failed to qualify for the Champions League.

Erik ten Hag has led the club back into Europe’s top competition and, consequently, the players will have their wages restored.

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In the case of Maguire, though, this poses Manchester United a fresh problem, according to The Guardian.

The centre-back, who remains the most expensive ever player in his position following his €87m move from Leicester to Old Trafford, is open to leaving the club after falling down the pecking order under Ten Hag.

Greenwood 'row' at Man Utd as debate rages over striker's return

The debate reportedy rages on at Old Trafford about whether striker Mason Greenwood should be allowed to return to the club for the 2023-24 season.

The 21-year-old, who is under contract until 2025, has not figured for the first team since early 2022, when he was charged with attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour. Those charges were later dropped.

Now, according to a report in The Sun, it is claimed Greenwood and his team-mates made it clear to United owners the Glazers - who will be making the final call - that they need to "sack him or back him".

The report comes as United's 'thorough' review into the Greenwood situation continues to rumble on.

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