Manchester United have performed a complete U-turn over the future of an in-form striker, while Friday’s Transfer Gossip claims Chelsea have made enquiries over beating London rivals Tottenham to a Newcastle attacker.
MAN UTD MAKE COMPLETE U-TURN OVER IMPRESSIVE STAR
Manchester United are set to block any potential exit for striker Anthony Martial this summer.
The continuing saga over Cristiano Ronaldo’s future means keeping an in-form Martial around makes perfect sense.
The France attacker has looked back to his best in pre-season, having been shipped out on loan to Sevilla last term.
United were initially known to be looking to sell the 26-year-old this summer. However, Erik ten Hag is not prepared to leave his squad short on attacking options – especially when Ronaldo remains absent.
Martial has scored three goals in as many games during the club’s tour of Thailand and Australia.
Martial in prolific pre-season form
And the Daily Mirror states that Ten Hag is confident he can get the Frenchman back scoring regularly again.
Martial has linked up well with Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho on tour. And the hope is that form will carry on when the Premier League season gets underway in early August.
Having a full-fit and motivated Martial will make a big difference if Ronaldo continues to hold out over his future.
And from Ten Hag’s point of view, it appears he has full faith in the forward to come good again.
CHELSEA TESTING WATERS OVER SAINT-MAXIMIN DEAL
Chelsea have reportedly enquired over the availability of Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin.
London rivals Tottenham are also known to be interested in the Frenchman. However, The Athletic claims that neither London side are prepared to meet the Magpies’ £40 million asking price for their talisman.
But the report adds that Chelsea could try and negotiate a cut-price fee with Newcastle.
There is no mention of what sort of price Thomas Tuchel’s men are prepared to pay. However, Newcastle are financially strong enough that they do not need to drop their asking price.
The former Nice attacker is said to have grown frustrated by the wage structure at St James’ Park. That, in turn, has led to his head being turned by bigger offers from elsewhere.
Despite not being quite as dynamic as in his first two seasons on Tyneside, Saint-Maximin still had five goals and as many assists last season.
The winger struggled in the first half of the season but, like the rest of the Newcastle team, was revitalised by Eddie Howe’s arrival at the club.
The question for the St James’ Park now is whether they look to cash in on the player, or offer him a bumper new deal to show that they are prepared to pay big salaries to top stars.
WEST HAM FAVOUR ROVERS ACE OVER MCNEIL DEAL
And finally, West Ham manager David Moyes is maintaining an interest in signing Blackburn forward Ben Brereton Diaz.
Burnley winger Dwight McNeil is another possibility for the Hammers but, according to the Daily Mail, Moyes prefers a deal for Brereton Diaz. That, in turn, leaves the door open for Crystal Palace to swoop for McNeil.
Brereton Diaz scored an impressive 21 goals in 37 league games last season. The 23-year-old also starred for the Chilean national side.
Despite representing England at youth levels, the forward switched allegiance to Chile having qualified through his mother.
The report adds that Rovers are keen to offload Brereton Diaz this summer amid fears he could leave for nothing in 2023.
Spanish side Sevilla are also thought to hold an interest in the forward. However, it remains to be seen whether they will match Rovers’ valuation.