Man Utd Transfer News: €100m WONDERKID bid, Romano Hojlund UPDATE and CRUCIAL day for Onana
Graham Shaw
- Updated: 14 Jul 2023 06:33 BST
- 7 min read
Man Utd made a massive last-ditch move to hijack Vitor Roque’s transfer from Athletico Paranaense to Barcelona - according to the player’s agent.
The 18-year-old has now agreed to join Barca next summer for a fee that could rise to €60 million, with Roque penning a deal until 2031 with a release clause of €500m.
Roque has established himself as one of the world’s brightest young prospects and made his debut for Brazil earlier this year, prompting interest from some of Europe’s top clubs.
MORE: Premier League summer transfers: ALL the done deals
Roque's move to Camp Nou was held up by La Liga having to approve the deal due to the Catalan side’s finances. And for that reason, it almost did not happen at all.
Roque’s agent revealed that the delay prompted English sides to try and ‘hijack’ the move, with Man United and Spurs offering nearly €100m for the forward. The player thought had his heart set on Catalonia.
“I can confirm that English clubs tried to hijack [the] Roque deal,” his agent Andre Cury told the Charla Podcast. “Tottenham and Manchester United sent important bids, way better than Barça; close to €100m”.
CRUCIAL day in Onana chase as Inter star close to move
Today (Thursday) will be crucial in Man Utd's bid to sign Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana.
United and Inter will speak again after what transfer expert Fabrizio Romano says are some 'tense moments' during the negotiations so far.
A deal is expected to be reached to reunite Onana with his former Ajax coach Erik ten Hag. The fee is expected to be around £50m.
Romano provides Hojlund UPDATE as hunt for Danish striker goes on
Atalanta starlet Rasmus Hojlund IS still at the top of the Man Utd hit list for a new striker this summer, but fans may have to wait a while for any deal.
The talented Scandinavian is wanted by Erik ten Hag, but they have still to make an official bid per Fabrizio Romano.
He says that the club have other priorities first - notably landing a new goalkeeper after the departure of David de Gea. That deal for Inter's Onana is of course the one they want to complete.
In terms of Hojlund, we have already confirmed that personal terms have been agreed with United. But the big stumbling block of course will be agreeing a fee with Atalanta. The Serie club reportedly want £60m.
Told Rasmus Højlund remains on top of Manchester United list as new striker 🇩🇰
Personal terms, never an issue as he’s very keen on the move.
Man United never sent any official bid yet — just talks on club/player side as priority is new GK.
⚠️ PSG also inquiried about Højlund. pic.twitter.com/hJrTjNNvJO— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 12, 2023
Man Utd boss ten Hag wants striker who is WORSE than Weghorst
Man Utd could be about to move for 30-year-old Porto striker Mehdi Taremi after failing to land a top striker.
The player’s agent is fuelling this talk. Borna Khoramdel posted an image on Instagram of a Man Utd badge, with Old Trafford tagged as his location, more than hinting he is in transfer talks with the club.
On the face of it, a deal is possible. Taremi, who was briefly linked to Arsenal this summer, only has a year left on his Porto contract, and with an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of under €10 million, he would fit into what meagre budget Ten Hag has to work with.
But that does not mean he is a viable solution for Man Utd’s ongoing No.9 problems. In fact data suggests he is absolutely not.
The SciSkills matrix, which is calculated using hundreds of in-game data points, shows that Taremi is, in fact, an inferior player to the much-maligned figure of Wout Weghorst, who failed to score a Premier League goal on loan from Burnley. Like Taremi, Weghorst arrived having been relatively prolific in a weaker league, having bagged eight in 16 appearances for Besiktas in Turkey.
Sheikh Jassim takeover could mean SIX new Man Utd signings
This one has quite a lot to unpack so sit tight and do not go any more.
Sheikh Jassim of Qatar, as we know, is involving in that long-running battle with Sir Jim Ratcliffe to buy the club from the Glazer family.
If he succeeds, The Express reports he will add £50m to the club's summer transfer budget. The tabloid also says United are looking to add another £100m to that budget with player sales.
The whole thing would result potentially in six new signings, but of course Sheikh Jassim would not be entirely responsible for that. So a little journalistic licence...
Man City set to poach WONDERKID after losing two to Man Utd
Manchester City are set to sign Harrison Parker from Manchester United in a move that is said to be 'revenge' for losing two players to their arch rivals.
The Treble winners are expected to beat several Premier League competitors for the 16-year-old's signature this summer. It would also be a rare transfer between the two clubs as Parker prepares to switch from red to blue for a 'significant fee' should an agreement be reached.
The deal comes following another transfer saga between the two Manchester clubs. Tyler and Jack Fletcher, sons of former United star Darren, are set to make the move in the opposite direction.
Elanga set for Man Utd exit with Everton FAVOURITES
Swedish striker Anthony Elanga is set to leave Man Utd this summer, with a number of clubs interested in acquiring him.
According to Fabrizio Romano, negotiations are ongoing with Everton now leading the race to sign the 21-year-old.
Phil Jones set for SHOCK transfer after Man Utd exit?
Former Man Utd defender Phil Jones could be set for a shock summer transfer after leaving Old Trafford last month.
The 31-year-old barely managed to train under Erik ten Hag because of persistent injury problems, with the 27-cap England international having managed just six Premier League appearances in four seasons because of persistent physical complaints.
According to Greek outlet Gazzetta though, Greek Super League side Aris have made the veteran their top summer transfer target.
Although an initial round of negotiations broke down over Aris failing to match the wage demands of the player, it appears that they are determined to sign the England international in order to boost their title hopes in the 2023/24 campaign.
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