Manchester United face £300m obstacle to sign Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Frenkie de Jong - Paper Round
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ByEurosport
Updated 13/01/2023 at 08:49 GMT
Manchester United have a shortlist of three strikers and two midfielders but need to sell players such as Harry Maguire. Elsewhere, Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo could depart in the summer transfer window, Borussia Dortmund's Marco Reus could switch to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, and Chelsea are keen on Real Madrid central defender Rafa Marin.
"We have to keep focus" - Ten Hag after FA Cup win
United consider Kane, De Jong and Bellingham
The Mirror reports that Manchester United hope to sign either Frenkie de Jong or Jude Bellingham, as well as a midfielder from a shortlist of Harry Kane, Benjamin Sesko and Victor Osimhen. However with £307 million owed in transfer fees, players like Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissak, Donny van de Beek and Fred could be sold or only a striker or midfielder will be bought.
Paper Round’s view: United are paying for years of incompetence at the top when it came to transfer spending and team building, and with a potential sale in the works, all of Erik ten Hag’s early good work could still be undone. United need more money spent this winter and summer, but if they can only add one quality player then they may fall behind other top-four sides.
Joao Cancelo could leave City
Manchester City’s full-back Joao Cancelo could be on his way out of the Etihad, according to the Daily Mail. The 28-year-old, who can also play as a wing-back, was taken off at half-time in the win against Chelsea after his return from the World Cup, and as a result there is interest from European teams to see if he will spend more time on the sidelines and be available this summer.
Paper Round’s view: Cancelo has been one of Pep Guardiola’s better signings who play defensively on the flanks, but that will probably not worry him if he thinks he can find a better alternative elsewhere, given the financial backing he is afforded in Manchester. With complaints over some of his players, perhaps some of the squad are becoming complacent.
Reus considers Saudi switch
Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival at Al Nassr in the Saudi Arabian league could see another player follow him in the summer. Borussia Dortmund forward Marco Reus has six months left on his current deal at his club, and is exploring his options as his minutes on the pitch dwindle. A free transfer to Al Nassr, joining Luis Gustavo, David Ospina and Ronaldo could be the option, reports The Sun.
Paper Round’s view: Reus has played wonderfully for Dortmund at times but at 33, his career will soon be coming to a close. For the German, a move to Saudi Arabia might not necessarily appeal but an obvious benefit would be the big payday offered to play in the oil-rich nation, and that might tempt him given the chance of winning more trophies is likely over.
Chelsea eye Real defender
The Telegraph reports that Chelsea are keen on signing Real Madrid central defender Rafa Marin. The 20-year-old is out of contract in 18 months, and Todd Boehly’s new club hope to sign him on a cut-price deal, given he will soon be able to walk away for nothing. However Chelsea face competition, as Bundesliga team RB Leipzig and others are interested in him.
Paper Round’s view: Marin plays for Real Madrid’s B team but is yet to feature for the first team or to play for another team on loan in a top division. At 20, that represents something of a risk for any team who expect a great deal from a player, but his contract situation means that he should be relatively affordable and Chelsea might consider it a risk worth taking.
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