Manchester United have discovered they must pay an astonishing sum to sign the player Erik ten Hag wants most, a Chelsea-linked star has reached a big new decision on his future, while Wednesday’s Transfer Gossip claims Antonio Conte’s outburst at Tottenham is causing an attacker problems for his next move.
MAN UTD MUST PAY TOP DOLLAR FOR NEW STRIKER
Napoli have vastly increased their asking price for centre-forward Victor Osimhen and Man Utd will have to obliterate the British transfer record in order to get him, according to reports.
Osimhen is enjoying an amazing season, having notched 25 goals and five assists in 29 matches so far. He is an integral part of Napoli’s push for Serie A and Champions League glory, alongside the likes of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Kim Min-jae and Stanislav Lobotka.
Unfortunately for the Italian outfit, their huge success this season has meant their best players are now transfer targets for some of the biggest clubs in the world.
Kvaratskhelia is on Real Madrid’s radar, while Liverpool have recently struck up an interest in midfield enforcer Lobotka.
Man Utd like the look of centre-back Kim. But Ten Hag’s ultimate target for the summer is Osimhen. He views the 24-year-old as an ideal signing to get Man Utd challenging Manchester City and Arsenal for next season’s Premier League title.
Kim should not be too hard to sign, given the fact his release clause stands at £43m. But Osimhen’s goals mean he will certainly not move for that cheap.
On Monday, Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport revealed how Man Utd are growing in confidence about snaring Osimhen, while Napoli are gradually coming to the realisation he will move on at the end of the season.
Their report suggested Napoli will sell the lethal attacker for €100m (£87.5m). But fellow Italian outlet Il Mattino have dismissed that report, as cited by the Daily Mail.
Red Devils considering record capture
It is claimed Napoli have raised the bar, telling Man Utd Osimhen will only move if an astronomical offer worth £150m is submitted. That is over £60m more than his previous valuation.
This means Man Utd must shatter Enzo Fernandez’s £107m British transfer record in order to bring Osimhen to England.
In a boost for the Red Devils, they have learned that Osimhen would be open to moving to Old Trafford, should the two clubs reach a transfer agreement.
But Man Utd are now facing a big decision when it comes to Osimhen. They could spend most of their summer transfer budget on him in order to revitalise the attack and bring plenty of goals into Ten Hag’s side. Alternatively, Man Utd could go after a cheaper striker and improve some other important positions as well.
One option is Tottenham’s Harry Kane. As with Napoli though, Spurs are unwilling to sell their prized asset. They will therefore demand Man Utd pay £100m for him.
Osimhen’s £150m valuation can be partly justified by his age, as he could provide Man Utd with almost 10 years of service by moving there. But Kane is 29, and paying £100m for a player of this age does not make a whole lot of sense.
It is clear who Ten Hag wants to lead his forward line for next season, with his sights totally set on Osimhen. It is now up to club officials to match his ambition.
CHELSEA TARGET TO SNUB POTTER ADVANCES
Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard could reject Graham Potter and Chelsea in order to pen a new contract at the Allianz Arena, his agent has suggested.
Pavard’s current deal at Bayern expires in June 2024. This has resulted in transfer links with the Premier League, especially Chelsea. If Pavard decides not to renew his contract, then he could move for a reduced price this summer.
On March 14, Sky Sport Germany revealed how Bayern have made no progress on fresh terms with the Frenchman. Chelsea had moved into pole position to capture him after presenting a ‘top-class’ offer.
The Blues’ financial might, which is down to the riches of chairman Todd Boehly, meant they could offer Pavard way more money in wages than Bayern.
However, Pavard has turned the situation on its head. He has struck up an ‘excellent’ relationship with Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann, according to his agent, and is now poised to reject Chelsea’s advances.
During an interview with Tuttomercatoweb, Pavard’s representative, Joseph Mohan, said: “A lot has changed since Nagelsmann moved him from right-back to his original position at centre-back. In his position, he has rediscovered serenity and is happy.
“I can say that after the two important matches in the Champions League, we’ll meet and talk about it [a new contract], but the relationship with coach Nagelsmann is excellent. Benjamin himself has confirmed it.”
Chelsea have been looking at Pavard to improve both the right wing-back and centre-half positions. He would be able to provide competition and backup for Reece James on the right flank, as well as for the central defenders.
But Pavard is enjoying himself at Bayern once again and will soon be tied down to a long-term deal in Bavaria, unless there is another significant twist.
TOTTENHAM MAN FACING UNCERTAIN FUTURE
Antonio Conte’s recent outburst, in which he called the Tottenham players ‘selfish’ and slammed chairman Daniel Levy, is reportedly causing winger Bryan Gil problems.
Gil returned to former club Sevilla on loan in the winter window. He has made seven La Liga appearances for the team so far, putting up one goal and one assist.
The winger recently suggested he wanted to make the Sevilla transfer permanent. He explained how it is ‘much better’ when he is playing for them.
But Spanish outlet Estadio Deportivo dispute that, revealing how Gil would like to establish himself as a regular starter at Spurs next term.
Spurs sanctioned Gil’s Sevilla loan knowing he was not getting many opportunities under Conte. But now the Italian looks set to be sacked, Gil’s future is ‘difficult’ to predict.
He is likely to return to north London over the summer and attempt to impress whichever coach comes in and replaces Conte. Mauricio Pochettino appears to be the frontrunner as things stand.
As such, a permanent switch to Sevilla is off the table. They are aware of this and are planning to use Oussama Idrissi in Gil’s position next season instead.
But it is hard to see Gil getting into Pochettino’s first team on a regular basis given the fierce competition for places. Dejan Kulusevski, Richarlison and Son Heung-min are all fighting for those two spots just behind Kane.
As such, Gil could end up pushing for another transfer in the 2024 January window. By then, his position at Sevilla may already have been taken, so he will have to find a different route out of Spurs.
