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“I have told the Manager countless times…I can’t be in the same team with such player”: Man United major transfer target says the club has a player who’s far better than him and they must sell him if they really want him to join the club

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Manchester United are looking for a new striker this summer and have reportedly set eyes on Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee.

United will only have only natural centre-forward – Rasmus Hojlund – when Anthony Martial leaves upon the end of his contract this month. The club are unlikely to dish out mega money for a new attacker given the £72m fee they agreed with Atalanta for Hojlund last summer.

But 23-year-old Zirkzee might be an affordable option if his rumoured release clause price tag is to be believed. The Dutchman was a late call-up to the Netherlands squad for Euro 2024, having to end a holiday at Disney World early to fly to Germany.

His involvement in the tournament could stunt transfer negotiations, should United indeed wish to complete a deal. Here is what we know about their transfer interest so far.

Latest reports

While United’s intent with Zirkzee has not yet been confirmed, reports this week claim the club have contacted the player’s agent. The Athletic claims their interest are advanced but talks between the two clubs are yet to commence.

Zirkzee is said to have a number of options on the table this summer, having recorded 12 goals and seven assists in 37 matches last season. However, Gazzetta dello Sport (via MilanNews) says United have hit a snag.

It says representative Kia Joorabchian is apparently demanding an astonishing £12.6m agent fee. For comparison, Zirkzee’s contract reportedly contains a £34m release clause.

What Zirkzee has said

The attacker was asked about his future last month ahead of his Euro 2024 call-up for the Netherlands. “At the moment my mind is only in Bologna,” he said.

“I want to recover from the injury and have some nice holidays in the States with my childhood friends and then we’ll see what happens. I would choose the best for the club. I will only do what makes sense in my heart.

“It’s clear that for me it would be wonderful to defend this goal achieved together [Bologna qualifying for the Champions League]. What we experienced in Piazza Maggiore was unforgettable.”

Other linked clubs

Italian giants Milan are the other club being linked with Zirkzee the most, and are said to be willing to pay his reported £34m release clause.

There are rumours that the attacker wishes to stay in Italy if he had the choice, giving Milan an advantage. Meanwhile, Arsenal have also been connected with interest amid their own hunt for an attacker.

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“Signing two dangerous players to replace me won’t discourage me from fighting for my starting position next season…I’m ready for the challenge”: Marcus Rashford responds to Man United latest transfer news as he confirms he won’t leave the Club despite the agreement to sign TWO dangerous players as his replacement

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Marcus Rashford is reportedly ‘open’ to joining Paris Saint-Germain, with a move away from Manchester United potentially on the cards this summer.

The England international endured a poor season with the Red Devils last season, scoring seven goals and registering two assists in 33 Premier League performances.

Rashford’s lacklustre performances prompted calls for him to be replaced on the left wing by younger options, such as Amad Diallo, but Erik ten Hag stood by his No. 10 for the entirety of the campaign.

However, the 26-year-old may opt against repaying the faith of his manager by moving away from Old Trafford, amid interest from PSG.

According to HITC, the Ligue 1 outfit are expected to reignite their interest in Rashford as they look to bring in suitable replacements for Kylian Mbappe ahead of next season, and the forward is ‘open’ to heading to the Parc des Princes this summer.

United are prepared to offload their academy product over the coming months after being left surprised by how his form nosedived last season, with the forward’s off-field antics also being raised as an ongoing issue.

Saudi Pro League outfits have therefore been alerted to the situation, as well as PSG, but Rashford is not keen to head to the Middle East and firmly favours a move to Paris instead.

Luis Enrique’s side are yet to open talks over a deal as it stands, with the higher powers at the club waiting for encouragement from both United and Rashford before tabling an offer to ensure that the foundations are laid for an agreement to be reached.

The fee which the Red Devils will demand for Rashford is yet to emerge, though Sir Jim Ratcliffe may be keen to negotiate a deal for one of his club’s highest earners given that the INEOS chief is keen to orchestrate a rebuild of his own.

United are hoping to bolster their ranks at both ends of the pitch ahead of next season, with signing at least one central defender viewed as a priority at the Theatre of Dreams.

Ten Hag has also made it clear that he hopes to acquire the services of a striker who can compete with Rasmus Hojlund for the No. 9 spot in his starting eleven.

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“He’ll join Man United, I’m only ready to work with who’s ready to intentionally play for the club…But I wonder why he chose Man United”: Antonio Conte confirms £100m ‘dangerous’ player has choosen to join Man United

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New Napoli boss Antonio Conte has confirmed that reported Manchester United striker target Victor Osimhen is on track to get a transfer this summer.

United’s interest in Osimhen can be traced as far back as last summer when he and Harry Kane were Erik ten Hag’s top two picks for the number nine position.

Needless to say, a deal never got over the line. This was partly due to Napoli’s excessive asking price and also the player’s own reluctance to leave the Diego Armando Stadium after playing a crucial role in their sensational 2022/23 campaign that saw them win the Scudetto.

Last term, Osimhen saw his numbers in front of goal take a nosedive as Napoli struggled to replicate their fine performances.

The Nigerian superstar managed 15 goals and three assists in 25 Serie A appearances.

United are believed to have maintained their admiration for Osimhen and considering the Red Devils are in the market for a reliable talisman to support young Rasmus Hojlund, links to the Napoli man have resurfaced.

report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that Erik ten Hag’s side are prepared to include Mason Greenwood as a makeweight in any deal to lure Osimhen to Old Trafford.

If United are indeed keen on landing the 25-year-old, then Conte’s recent comments will give them plenty of encouragement in their pursuit.

Conte spoke to the media for the first time since his appointment as Napoli head coach and explained that while he has assurances that the likes of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Frank Anguissa and Stanislav Lobotka will not be sold, he could not say the same about Osimhen.

The former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur boss remarked, “As far as Osimhen is concerned, just as I knew very well about the situation of Kvara, Di Lorenzo, Anguissa, Lobotka, on which I have placed an absolute veto.”

“Having said that, I know what the situation is regarding Osimhen. I know that there are agreements, that it is a situation different from all the others. I can only assist.”

“He is a player of the highest level, exceptional, but I cannot enter into any discussion because it is part of previous agreements which have been clearly stated to me.”

Journalist Aurelio Capaldi also spoke on Duncan Castles’ podcast and admitted that Osimhen is indeed likely to seek a new adventure away from Naples.

Capaldi pointed out, “The most probable destination for Romelu Lukaku is Napoli because Antonio Conte wants him, they have a very good relationship. And they’re talking about OSimhen, when Conte signed for Napoli he already knew Osimhen would go.”

“Aurelio de Laurentiis immediately said to him Osimhen, it had already been arranged that he would leave Napoli, so they couldn’t count on him and Conte immediately asked for Lukaku.”

Whether United swoop in for Osimhen will almost certainly depend on his price tag. During a window in which the 20-time English champions need to be prudent in their spending to avoid breaching PSR regulations, they’re unlikely to be in a position to fork out big money on just one star.

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“They have learned their lesson and have been forgiven…They’ll return back to training ahead of the pre-season”: Erik ten Hag confirms TWO Man United who was recently banned from the club has been forgiven and will return to training ahead of new season

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Manchester United’s Preseason Plans: Spotlight on Sancho and Greenwood

Manchester United are gearing up for their preseason training, and all eyes are on Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood. Despite swirling rumours of their imminent exits, both players are expected to join the preseason activities. This comes after both spent the latter half of the 2023-24 season on loan at Borussia Dortmund and La Liga’s Getafe, respectively.

Impact and Speculation: Sancho’s Return from Dortmund

Jadon Sancho’s time at Dortmund in the second half of last season was nothing short of a spectacle. After a falling out with Manchester United’s boss Erik ten Hag, Sancho rejoined Dortmund on loan and played a pivotal role in their journey to the Champions League final.

His performance not only reinstated his high calibre but also reignited interest from several clubs, with a permanent move back to Signal Iduna Park appearing as the most probable destination. Despite the transfer speculation, Sancho has been instructed to return to United’s Carrington training ground, indicating that his future at the club might still have a chapter left to write.

Greenwood’s Future Amid Transfer Talks

On the other hand, Mason Greenwood’s stint at Getafe has put him on the radar of several top European clubs. Reports suggest that Italian giants Juventus, Napoli, and Lazio have shown interest in the young forward.

However, a recent twist has emerged with French club Marseille, under the guidance of newly appointed manager Roberto De Zerbi, entering the fray. “Talks between the Ligue 1 club and their Premier League counterparts are at an early stage and finances are yet to be discussed. But Greenwood is a player Marseille are keen to recruit and they have held a positive dialogue with the 22-year-old forward, who is believed to favour a Marseille over other options at this stage.”

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