Manchester United may face a battle to keep a homegrown star amid reports of a Newcastle approach, Unai Emery has seen a bid to reunite with a former Arsenal man at Aston Villa fail, while Thursday’s Transfer Gossip claims Tottenham are holding talks over a £34m-rated defender.
NEWCASTLE PLANNING BOLD MOVE FOR SCOTT MCTOMINAY
Newcastle are reportedly preparing a big-money approach to Manchester United for Scott McTominay.
The homegrown Red Devils midfielder has become a reliable star in the United engine room, having first debuted under Jose Mourinho. Now 26, he is closing on 200 appearances for United, having also scored 18 times.
However, despite already clocking up 21 appearances this season, he has never really been considered a guaranteed starter. Indeed, Erik ten Hag’s pursuit of Frenkie de Jong over the summer threw fresh doubt over his starting place.
And while only Christian Eriksen signed to bolster the midfield, he has faced a battle with Fred for a starting spot this season.
Indeed, while a popular player among supporters for his honest endeavours, his performance in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Charlton did come in for strong criticism.
Now talk of a move away from Old Trafford this month are growing louder.
Last week, the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope revealed that McTominay has a big admirer in Newcastle boss Eddie Howe.
The Magpies manager is on the lookout for midfield reinforcements to help his side’s quest for a top-four finish.
Indeed, Howe is also looking at potential deals for Youri Tielemans and Moises Caicedo too.
However, there is a growing belief that a deal for McTominay could still be done as soon as this month. And while he reportedly favours an Old Trafford stay, reports claim Howe is preparing a bid of around £44m to test Ten Hag’s resolve.
Keith Downie claims Newcastle will bid for Scott McTominay
Now it seems rumours of a switch to St James’ Park for the Scotland international are quicky gathering pace.
However, rather than move to sign him on a permanent deal, Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie claims Howe is looking to sign McTominay on loan.
Speaking to Givemesport, Downie, however, explains why Ten Hag will likely spurn the offer.
“The one thing they’ve got in common [McTominay, Tielemans and Caicedo] is they’ve all played in the Premier League. I think there was an enquiry made for McTominay recently, perhaps even on loan, but I don’t think Man United want to do it.”
The Lancaster-born star earns around £78,000 a week and is contracted to Old Trafford until 2025.
One man who certainly appreciates what he does for United is Eriksen. And the Dane was wholesome in his praise of McTominay earlier this season.
“Scott has done very well and I think you can see that from the games,” he told the United website.
“I think in the first few ones we were looking for each other a bit and seeing where we are, but now I think we are starting to get a good connection.”
VILLA SEE BID FOR MATTEO GUENDOUZI FALL SHORT
Aston Villa have seen a bid to lure Matteo Guendouzi back to the Premier League fail, claims a report.
The former Arsenal man has taken his game on to the next level in Ligue 1 with Marseille. And such was his form that he was included in Didier Deschamps’ squad for the Qatar World Cup.
He made just one appearance, though, in Qatar as Les Bleus made it through to the final, losing to Argentina on penalties.
It all reads for good progress for Guendouzi, who fell out with Mikel Arteta during his time at Arsenal.
He had loan spells away, including one in Germany with Hertha Berlin which also quickly turned sour.
However, the move to Marseille has been the making of him.
And after making his move to OM permanent in summer 2022, Guendouzi has been offered a quick return to the Premier League.
That approach has come from Aston Villa, whose manager Unai Emery signed Guendouzi at Arsenal back in 2018.
However, the Daily Mail reports that their £26.5m offer for the midfielder has been knocked back.
The paper claims that OM are keen on a deal for Angers star Azzedine Ounahi, who is also on Leeds’ radar.
However, they want the Moroccan to partner Guendouzi rather than replace him. As such, Emery has now been told to look elsewhere with Guendouzi not for sale.
Villa may now turn to Weston McKennie instead with the American seemingly up for sale at Juventus.
TOTTENHAM KEEN TO SIGN PIERO HINCAPIE
Tottenham are reportedly set to open talks with the agent of Piero Hincapie over a move to the club.
Spurs boss Antonio Conte is keen to strengthen his defence with only really Cristian Romero performing at a consistently high standard.
Conte did manage to bring in Clement Lenglet on a season’s loan from Barcelona. And he has performed admirably when called upon.
Whether Tottenham take up his permanent signing or not remains to be seen.
Either way, Conte is certainly seeking an upgrade on Davinson Sanchez, while questions have also been raised over Eric Dier.
And the signing of Bayer Leverkusen defender Hincapie would certainly go some way to strengthening their backline.
The Ecuadorian is one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga. Rated at around £34m, any deal for the 21-year-old would certainly not come cheap.
However, trusted reporter Fabrizio Romano, speaking to House Of Champions: A Daily CBS Soccer Podcast, claims Spurs are scheduling talks with Hincapie’s agents.
“Another player I would keep an eye on is Piero Hincapie, the Ecuador centre-back playing for Bayer Leverkusen,” Romano began.
“Left-footed, very good player also on Inter and Napoli’s list for the summer.
“He could be one of the targets for Tottenham. They’re going to have a meeting in the next days to discuss Piero Hincapie with people close to the player.”
However, any move is likely to come later in the year with Romano adding: “The target is for the summer more than January.”