Man Utd Transfer News Today: Osimhen BOOST, Top target SHOCK and de Jong BOMBSHELL
Graham Shaw
- Updated: 2 Jul 2023 12:05 BST
- 8 min read
Man Utd have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen with the revelation that they are one of 'only two clubs' he would sign for according to former Italy midfielder Salvatore Bagni.
Osimhen is the toast of Europe after firing Napoli to a first Serie A title in 33 years, but most of his potential suitors have no chance of signing him, per Bagni.
A host of clubs have been credited with an interest in the Nigerian striker, from United and Premier League rivals Chelsea to Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.
MORE: Premier League summer transfers: ALL the done deals
But Bagni told the Evening Standard: "Victor Osimhen won't return to France because he already played there [for Lille]. The same thing with Germany [Wolfsburg]. He doesn't go to Liverpool or Chelsea because they do not play the Champions League [next season].
"Of all the teams associated with him, for me, he would only go to Manchester United and Real Madrid. He's not interested in the other teams."
Man Utd hit major roadblock in hunt for TOP TARGET
Man Utd have hit a major roadblock in their bid to sign top goalkeeper target Andre Onana.
Until this weekend, it appeared likely that the Inter Milan shot stopper would be the replacement for David de Gea, who is now out of contract after 12 years at Old Trafford.
According to the Mirror, signing £60m midfielder Mason Mount has left a significant dent in the club's summer funds, with United also keen to reinforce in defence and up front.
Not only that, but spending another £60m - the fee Inter are demanding in order to release their star goalkeeper - would also leave the Reds foul of FFP restrictions.
While selling back-up keeper Dean Henderson would make further funds available, United have now refocused their attentions on more economical alternatives.
At the top of that list are two names: Feyenoord’s Justin Bijlow and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Kevin Trapp, both of whom would cost significantly less than Onana.
MAJOR Man Utd takeover updates on Glazers and Sheikh Jassim
Sheikh Jassim has pulled ahead of Sir Jim Ratcliffe in the race to own Manchester United, but there is a growing suspicion that the Glazer family might decide not to sell at all.
Jassim's bid brings with it the promise to wipe the club's £1 billion debt as well as a separate budget to redevelop Old Trafford and the surrounding area, while Ratcliffe's could leave the Glazers as minority shareholder - something the majority of fans don't want to see.
Bloomberg report that Ratcliffe's bid is "dead in the water" - not that the INEOS chief has pulled out - and now frequent FootballTransfers collaborator Ben Jacobs has shed more light on the matter.
"Maybe the only difference at this point is that there's a real feeling on the Qatar side, that it will now be a case of them being successful, or a no sale, possibly with some kind of financing baked in," he told GiveMeSport.
"So, instead of Qatar looking this as them versus Ratcliffe, which has been the narrative for much of the takeover, I think Nine Two Foundation [Jassim's UK company] feel like it's about whether they're picked or whether the Glazers opt for a no sale with some form of financing, then put the club on the market at a later date."
De Jong BOMBSHELL as Man City consider £90m SWOOP
This would be the ultimate kick in the teeth for long-suffering Man Utd fans - Treble-winning neighbours Man City signing their perennial transfer target Frenkie de Jong.
Erik ten Hag has been trying to prise his former Ajax prodigy away from Barcelona ever since he walked through the door at Old Trafford, but not even a reported €100m bid last summer could achieve that aim.
Now, according to The Mirror, United have competition for the talented midfielder, from their 'noisy neighbours'.
The tabloid reports that while de Jong is considered 'untouchable' by Barca coach Xavi, the grim reality is the Catalan giants are in the middle of a financial catastrophe. So nobody is off limits.
City are clearly looking for midfield additions, having lost out to Arsenal in the race for Declan Rice, and now it appears Pep Guardiola is pondering whether de Jong could be the perfect alternative.
Newcastle move could give van de Beek a Man Utd escape route
Newcastle's signing of Sandro Tonali from AC Milan could offer Donny van de Beek a surprise way out of Manchester United.
Newcastle are set to complete the €70 million signing of Milan midfielder Tonali, which will be an Italian record transfer - one that strengthens Eddie Howe's side and leaves the Rossoneri flush with cash.
And according to Fichajes, via the Manchester Evening News, Milan plan to spend some of that money on United flop Van de Beek, whom they hope could plug the gap left by Tonali in midfield.
The report suggests Milan would be prepared to pay up to €20m.
Loan bid REVEALED for £73m Man Utd FLOP Sancho
Manchester United have vetoed Borussia Dortmund's efforts to take Jadon Sancho back to the Bundesliga for the coming season.
Sancho moved to Old Trafford from BVB in the summer of 2021 for a fee worth £73m, making him the second most expensive English player of all time behind team-mate Harry Maguire.
MORE: Premier League summer transfers: ALL the done deals
But the forward has struggled to reproduce his best form at United, scoring just 12 goals in 79 appearances in all competitions since that transfer.
He has now fallen down the pecking order under Erik ten Hag, and despite finding himself just two years into a five-year deal is considered expendable by the Reds this summer.
But Dortmund retain fond memories of their former teen prodigy, prompting them into an opportunistic enquiry that nevertheless failed to prosper.
Man Utd loan star available at knockdown price - Fabrizio Romano
Marcel Sabitzer did a pretty decent job on loan for Man Utd during the second half of the 2022-23, and he is now available for a knockdown price on a permanent deal. But will Erik ten Hag bite?
Bayern are now willing to let Sabitzer leave Munich for €15-17m but Fabrizio Romano says ten Hag has other priorities right now. Watch this space.
Bayern are now prepared to let Marcel Sabitzer leave the club in case of good proposal, around €15/17m. 🔴🇦🇹
Man United announced yesterday his departure after loan deal; Ten Hag was happy with Sabitzer but there are still different priorities on the market now. pic.twitter.com/o1NWPVpync
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 1, 2023
MORE: Out Of Contract in 2023: Best players available on a free transfer
