Fabrizio: Man United can seal triple deal before weekend as medical set for £80m deal
Man United are close in on a £40 million January move for the goals and assists monster; Jude Bellingham has chosen his future club
Manchester United is closing in on a £40 million agreement to capture Cristiano Ronaldo’s replacement, while top Premier League target Jude Bellingham has already decided where he will play next, according to Friday’s transfer rumor.
UNITED IN TALKS ABOUT PSV HOTSHOT LAND
According to transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United is interested in signing PSV and Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo.
Erik ten Hag has identified the outstanding winger as a top target, with Romano adding that the Red Devils have spoken with the player’s representation.
In the January transfer window, United is anticipated to launch a bid of roughly £40 million.
Dean Jones, another transfer insider, recently informed GiveMeSport that a deal is more than possible at that price.
Ten Hag is reported to have kept a close eye on Gakpo during the World Cup. And he must have been impressed, with the forward scoring three goals as the Dutch were eliminated in the quarter-finals by eventual winners Argentina.
Gakpo is anticipated to fill the vacuum created by Cristiano Ronaldo’s acrimonious departure from Old Trafford, however, Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid is also a target.
Gakpo is another offensive weapon for Ten Hag.
While Gakpo is not a natural center striker, his presence will allow Anthony Martial or Marcus Rashford to fill Ten Hag’s role.
“At the moment, he’s a genuine option,” Romano told GiveMeSport of the potential deal. Manchester United is looking into it. They are in communication with his representatives.”
Gakpo got nine goals and 12 assists in the Eredivisie this season before departing for Qatar.
If he can transfer that goal threat to the Premier League, he will become a key weapon for Ten Hag as he attempts to resurrect United as a serious prize contender.
BELLINGHAM HAS ALREADY DECIDED ON HIS NEXT STEP.
As the race for Jude Bellingham’s signature heats up, it appears the England man knows just where he wants to go next.
Liverpool, Manchester United, and Manchester City are all interested in bringing the 19-year-old midfielder back to his hometown following his World Cup exploits with the Three Lions. Former England player Rio Ferdinand, for one, has no concerns about where the youngster should head next.
The Borussia Dortmund star, who had already established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s top talents, was perhaps England’s finest player in the tournament.
However, it appears that he is prepared to disappoint the Premier League’s heavyweights by choosing to move to Spain instead.
According to AS, Bellingham favors a move to Real Madrid and that if he expresses this preference to the other interested parties, they may withdraw from the competition to sign him.
The former Birmingham City man, though, will not be cheap, especially given that he is under contract until 2025.
Dortmund is anticipated to demand more than £100 million to let him depart next summer.
Bellingham would join Real Madrid’s young midfield of Federico Valverde (24), Eduardo Camavinga (20), and Aurelien Tchouameni (22), with senior talents Luka Modric and Toni Kroos nearing the conclusion of their respective careers.
LEEDS GOES AFTER EVERTON DEFENDER
Leeds has enquired about Everton defender Mason Holgate’s availability in January, according to reports.
The Sun understands that Ligue 1 club Lyon is also interested in the Toffees center-back.
This season, the 26-year-old started three of Everton’s first four league games under Frank Lampard before suffering a knee injury at Brentford.
However, due to Everton’s financial difficulties, the former England Under-21 international, who can also play right-back, could be available when the transfer window reopens in January.
Lampard also has an abundance of defenders in Conor Coady, James Tarkowski, Yerry Mina, Ben Godfrey, and Michael Keane, and the Toffees are looking to reduce their salary bill.
Holgate was a key figure in the club’s successful effort to avoid relegation from the Premier League last season, working alongside Lampard.
His good start to the new season was cut short, however, as he suffered a knee injury in the 1-1 draw at Brentford.
Jesse Marsch, the manager of Leeds United, is aiming to strengthen his squad in all areas as he attempts to break away from the relegation zone in the second half of the season.
