- Manchester United keeping tabs on Neymar.
- United is ahead of Arsenal in the race for Rice.
- Westaham targerts Wan-Bissaka.
- Manchester United is interested in Napoli’s Kim Min-Jea.
Manchester United has made contact with Paris Saint-Germain about signing Neymar, according to reports, the Brazilian winger could be available for a move this summer and has been linked with a move to the Premier League. The latest reports from the French newspaper L”Equipe claims that United is in ‘advanced talks’ to sign the wide man and also states fellow countrymen Casemiro has been in touch with Neymar about a move.
United have Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes who operate in Neymar’s position. A deal would no doubt come at great financial cost and with a number nine being the transfer priority, any deal would come as a surprise.
Manchester United are looking to sign top players in preparation for next season and they have taken a step towards securing qualification for next season’s Champions League with a 1-0 victory against Bournemouth. Manchester United traveled to the Vitality Stadium for their last away day of the campaign as Erik ten Hag’s outfit remains in the fight to secure a place in Europe’s top club competition. They ended up taking a big step thanks to Casemiro’s overhead kick in the first half, which sealed a 1-0 triumph.
The win, combined with fifth-placed Liverpool’s only drawing at Anfield against Aston Villa, means United are now three points clear of Jurgen Klopp’s outfit. United also have a game in hand over their rivals.
Casemiro celebrating his goal against Bournemouth. Image, Sporting News.
The game in hand United have will be at Old Trafford on Thursday evening when they take on Chelsea. United know that a point from one of their final two encounters of the top-flight season will secure a place back in the Champions League.
Ten Hag’s side are level on points with Newcastle United, but the Magpies are ahead of United on goal difference. Manchester United will this Thursday host Chelsea, who have had a dismal season and will finish in the bottom half of the table.
Ahead of the encounter at Old Trafford, it remains to be seen if top scorer Marcus Rashford will be fit to feature against the Stamford Bridge outfit. There is also the question of the ongoing sale of United by the Glazer family, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al Thani lodging bids.
What United Needs for the top four
Manchester United have a simple ask to qualify for the Champions League as they bid to finish in the Premier League top four.
Newcastle United secured their place among Europe’s elite with a 0-0 draw with relegation-threatened Leicester City on Monday night. The Magpies were unable to break down the Foxes and the game ended 0-0. To finish third, Manchester United need to win both of their final two matches. They currently trail Newcastle by a point but have a game in hand.
If they were to beat Chelsea on Thursday, they would be in a suitable position to secure top three. Because of their inferior goal difference, they have to finish ahead of the Magpies on points.
Manchester United’s other transfer news
In other news, Manchester United will reportedly have to fork out £130m to bring Victor Osimhen to Old Trafford.
The Napoli striker is on Erik Ten Hag’s summer transfer shortlist, albeit Harry Kane being the primary target.
However, the 24-year-old would not be a cheap secondary option to the England captain with reliable reports claiming Osimhen will cost £130m.
Reports further indicate that the club is also tracking Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, with Chelsea in the market for both players.
WestHam target Wan-Bissaka
West Ham have reportedly set their sights on Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The right-back has enjoyed a resurgence during the second half of the season and is now Erik Ten Hag’s first-choice right-back. It will be interesting to see how Manchester United will respond to Westham’s advances.
However, Wan-Bissaka’s future remains unknown with United in talks for Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong who plays in the same position. Manchester United is working on a new deal for Diogo Dalot, meaning Wan-Bissaka could leave to avoid losing game time.
United and Arsenal rivals for Race for Rice
Manchester United and Arsenal rivals over Declan Rice. Image, The Independent.
The Daily Mail reports that West Ham seems to think United has the upper hand in the race for Declan Rice.
The midfielder is being tipped to leave the Hammers this summer with several clubs including Arsenal, interested.
Rice is keen to play Champions League football, so both clubs are said to be of interest to him. However, West Ham is set to hold out for a large fee, possibly at nine figures.
Manchester United is Interested in Napoli’s center-back Kim Min-Jae
The Red Devils have an interest in signing Napoli’s Kim-Jae, according to renowned sports journalist Fabrizio Romano, but there has not been any offer made to trigger his release clause yet, as that won’t become active until later in the summer.
Kim has been superb in Serie A this season, helping Napoli clinch their first title in 33 years, and it seems inevitable that it will earn him a big move this summer, especially with that clause.
Man Utd could undoubtedly do with a top defender like that coming in, with Raphael Varane not getting any younger, while Harry Maguire has completely fallen out of favor since Erik Ten Hag took over as manager.
Romano says United has started discussions on the player’s side, so fans will hope this can get the ball rolling and convince the player that his future lies at Old Trafford. One imagines there’ll be plenty of other suitors for Kim in the weeks and months ahead, so Manchester United needs to make a strong convincing bid.
{Article by Abisai Maloba}
