Newcastle United's interest in Scott McTominay is growing, and he might play a key role in Manchester United's summer recruitment strategy.
The dependable Laurie Whitwell has now also given the Magpies credit for having a "serious interest" in signing McTominay, giving credence to their continued desire to recruit the academy graduate.
Newcastle is believed to have expressed interest in the midfielder as early as January, but the Red Devils did not contemplate a midseason transfer.
Due to the injuries to Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beeek, United's own midfield options were limited at the moment, which led Ten Hag to borrow Marcel Sabitzer.
Even before that, McTominay was frequently used in Casemiro's absence because there was no other player on the team who could provide the team with his physicality and defensive acumen.
The numbers issue will, however, be less of a concern in the summer with Eriksen already back and Van de Beek returning in the coming months.
Ten Hag is also eager to raise the caliber of his available choices in the middle, which would cause McTominay to drop even farther down the lineup.
The Scotland star is expected to cost a sizeable transfer fee given his Premier League experience and skill set, especially if he were to join a top four opponent.
With a number of crucial positions in need of investment, that would go some way toward enhancing United's flexibility in the summer transfer window. Additionally, given that earlier rumors indicated that a fee of roughly £50 million would be in the works, United may try to move the McTominay situation through quickly in order to make room for this investment.
Ten Hag also needs a new midfielder and a center forward, and there are also discussions about the goalkeeper and right back positions. The development of Scott McTominay at Manchester United might be crucial in hastening Erik ten Hag's redevelopment.
Harry Maguire open to Seria A move
In the midst of uncertainty regarding his future at Old Trafford, 90min understands that prominent Italian teams are showing interest in Manchester United captain Harry Maguire.
In United's lopsided 3-0 loss to Sevilla on Thursday night, Maguire was at fault for the opening goal, which sealed his team's exit from the Europa League at the quarterfinal stage. The first-choice center-back duo of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez both suffered injuries recently, which allowed the England international to reclaim his starting spot.
In order to continue rebuilding Old Trafford, 90min reported that United are willing to trade Maguire at the conclusion of the season, a few well-known players had to leave the team in order to free up cash and increase budget flexibility. Maguire is one of a number of first team players who, under the perfect conditions, might leave before the start of the new season.
United would want to collect a sum and complete a permanent transfer for Maguire, who is now 30 years old, but it may be difficult to do so while also recovering his £190,000 weekly pay. Although Juventus, Milan, and Inter are all interested in prospective loan deals with options to buy, the Premier League has shown interest.
In the given situation, such a transaction wouldn't be ideal for United, but they may need to be adaptable in order to free up space to work around FFP restrictions and to ensure they sign contracts for players of acceptable caliber in important positions. The positions at center forward and central midfield should be filled first.
While it is thought that Maguire's management believes that Serie A would be the ideal destination for the player if he were to leave Old Trafford, this is far from a guarantee at this time. Even if he does decide to stay, Maguire runs the risk of losing the club captaincy due to his diminished standing.
Raphael Varane's history of injuries makes it necessary for United to frequently rely on a third player in that position, thus they would also prefer to add a new center back to help Varane and Martinez going ahead.
Last month, 90min reported on Ten Hag's persistent interest in Ajax defender Jurrien Timber. Scouts also like Portuguese duo Goncalo Inacio and Antonio Silva, who play for Sporting CP and Benfica, respectively. Goncalo Ramos, a striker for Benfica who has been linked to Manchester United, would likely be sold first, and the club would seek a high price for Silva, their most recent academy standout.
The futures of Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are in doubt, and a right-back is also needed. David de Gea is still expected to sign a contract extension with fewer guarantees.
Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelöf, Scott McTominay, and Fred are among the senior Manchester United players whose futures will be cleared out this summer under Erik ten Hag's direction.
The management will do this to raise money to reinvest in the team and raise its bar. The 3-0 humiliation against Sevilla on Thursday, which saw United eliminated 5-2 overall from the Europa League, has focused Ten Hag's evaluation of his team as he looks to continue his rebuild.
Donny van de Beek, Anthony Elanga, Dean Henderson, and Brandon Williams are further players that Ten Hag is considering allowing to depart.
The loaned players Alex Telles, Hannibal Mejbri, and Eric Bailly, as well as the free agents Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe, are all almost expected to leave the team.
Not every player whose future is in doubt will go because Ten Hag must strike a balance between letting go of individuals he does not want as first choices, making a select few outstanding additions, and maintaining the right level of squad depth. He might decide against selling both Maguire and Lindelöf because it might be challenging to find two new first-team squad center-backs; the former is expected to be let go.
David de Gea, who played with Maguire in Seville's defensive farce, has not yet agreed to a new deal, but it is thought that he will because Ten Hag's priorities in the summer transfer window are a world-class No 9 and bolstering midfield. Additionally, Ten Hag must determine if the Marcel Sabitzer and Wout Weghorst loans should be converted into long-term agreements. It is believed that the latter may not be kept, but that a deal for Sabitzer with Bayern Munich may be attempted.
Whether the Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, or any additional funding from investment firms interested in partnering with Ten Hag will assume control of the company will determine how much Ten Hag will spend.
The fact that United may consider offers for a winger who initially cost Borussia Dortmund £73 million (€82.5 million) in July 2021 is a clue that Sancho has fallen short of expectations. Maguire, who cost £80 million (€90.4 million) to acquire in 2019, is still the most expensive defender in history. He came from Leicester. Ajax received an initial payment of £34.7 million (€39.2 million) for Van de Beek, who has struggled to maintain a position. The Guardian.
If his most recent injury keeps him out until the end of the season, there is most definitely no hope left. There's a good likelihood that this is Anthony Martial's final game wearing a Manchester United jersey.
It would be appropriate if the closing picture showed him hobbling out in despair. Finding a buyer will be the only challenge.
Manchester United's striker chase
Rasmus Hojlund, a 20-year-old striker for Atalanta, is a target for Manchester United and Real Madrid when the season ends.
Rasmus Hojlund made an immediate impression in Italian football after moving from Sturm Graz to Serie A team Atalanta at the beginning of the current campaign. Manchester United has reportedly taken the lead in the transfer sweepstakes, according to a report from Daily Mirror. And it's still unclear if they can sign him before Real Madrid.
Man United, Real Madrid and Barcelona submit a letter of interest to Atalanta
Rasmus Hojlund, a 20-year-old prospect who competes for Atalanta BC in Italy, is reportedly attracting interest from Real Madrid, according to sources from the Danish publication BT.
The player is the subject of intense discussion at the club offices, and a "letter of interest" from the club officials confirms their intentions. Interestingly, Manchester United has also sent in a letter requesting the star and is interested in him.
The 20-year-old prodigy, who primarily plays as a center-forward, only recently made the transition to Europe's top leagues. He signed with Serie A team Atalanta in August 2022 after periods in Denmark and Austria, and the team has had success so far.
Hojlund has made 26 starts in the Italian top division, scoring seven goals and dishing out two assists. He makes one significant chance thus far and little under one important pass each game.
Given the amount of teams interested in Hojlund and the fact that his contract with Atalanta expires in the summer of 2027, a big transfer fee is probably on the horizon.
In fact, as a long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski, La Liga rivals Barcelona are thought to be keenly monitoring his position as well.
Similar to their Catalan rivals, Real Madrid are in desperate need of a replacement for star Karim Benzema. Although the Frenchman has been in excellent form lately, the first half of the season demonstrates why the Merengues must prioritize the center-forward position.
Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe are just two of the numerous well-known athletes whom Los Blancos have their eye on. And now Hojlund has also become a potential target; the Merengues are rumored to have a real interest in the 20-year-old striker.
However, given how Luka Jovic's case ended up, it is still unclear if they will bet on Hojlund, who has very little experience in the top division.
Man United take the lead in the race for Rasmus Hojlund's signature
After the season, the Red Devils will need to sign a talented striker. During the January transfer window, they acquired Wout Weghorst, although the seasoned Dutchman has been quite lackluster.Erik ten Hag must find a new goal scorer in the summer because Marcus Rashford is the only consistent scorer at the team.
The Red Devils would make a wise, long-term investment in the 20-year-old Danish striker. It will be interesting to see if they are willing to make a strong offer to sign the player.
The player was acquired by Atalanta during the summer transfer window, and the club won't be willing to let him leave after just one season. In order to persuade the Serie A club, Manchester United may have to pay significantly more than necessary.
The Red Devils have a large project and are anticipated to play in the Champions League again the next year. It can be challenging to decline an offer to play for a prominent Premier League club. Hojlund will be wishing to advance in his professional life. And working with Erik ten Hag at Manchester United might help him advance more quickly. Real Madrid is attempting to get the gifted youngster in the meanwhile. Barcelona has also been mentioned in relation to the player.
Due to Karim Benzema's advancing years, the Spanish giants will need to begin making plans for life without him. Hojlund might be a good long-term substitute for Benzema given that the French international won't be at his best for a while.
Real Madrid has the influence and money to sign the player, but it remains to be seen if they can persuade the Danish striker to choose Spain over a trade to Manchester United. In the race to recruit the 20-year-old striker, the Red Devils currently lead Real Madrid.
Erik Ten Hag's Victor Oshimen ambitions revealed
Journalist for The Athletic Football Jon Mackenzie has revealed that the goalkeeper Victor Osimhen of Napoli is the target of Manchester United's pursuit because of manager Erik ten Haag. Victor Osimhen has drawn interest from Manchester United as a result of his outstanding performances for Napoli over the past 12 months.
The Super Eagles star is poised to become the first African to get the Paolo Rossi Award for the 2022–2023 season after earning the Serie A Best Young Player of the Year award last year.
The Napoli striker has 21 goals thus far, seven more than Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan, who is his closest rival with 14 goals. Osimhen has scored 26 goals for the Naples-based team in all competitions.
On The Athletic Football Podcast, Mackenzie discussed the motivation behind Erik ten Hag's desire to sign Osimhem for Manchester United.
"This is going to be the big question, which team has that 100m pounds available because the rumours have always circulated around him going to Manchester United," Mackenzie said.
"There are a lot of reasons for that because we know that Erik ten Hag likes a striker in that kind of mould.
"He has used traditional 9s apart from when he has played a little bit of underdog football in the UEFA Champions League and Victor Osimhen is obviously the perfect prototype for him
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