Erik ten Hag plans to cull as many as 12 players at Manchester United this summer, Arsenal are looking to sign a Bayern Munich man in a bargain deal, while Thursday’s Paper Talk claims West Ham are tracking an exciting Holland winger.
MAJOR MAN UTD OVERHAUL WITH TEN HAG TO MOVE ON 12
Incoming new Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is planning the biggest ever culling of players ever witnessed at Old Trafford.
The Dutchman, 52, has been chosen to lead the Red Devils from this summer – and faces a massive task. United have at least taken the final step towards his appointment, with compensation agreed and his No 2 confirmed.
However, he clearly faces a huge rebuilding task with the gulf of their decline ruthlessly exposed by Liverpool this week.
Individually, United have some of the best players in England. As a collective, they have under-performed for too long and their efforts this season have serious underwhelmed.
As such, the Daily Mirror expects Ten Hag to make serious changes to his playing squad. And they expect at least six – and quite possibly as many as 12 – players to leave this summer.
First up, Manchester United will wave farewell to six stars at the end of their contracts. Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Edinson Cavani, Jesse Lingard and back-up goalkeeper Lee Grant will all be on their way.
A sixth, Nemanja Matic, has also confirmed his departure already, with the player not taking up the option to extend his deal. The Serbian will also depart as a free agent.
Only Lingard came through the youth-set up and those six exits will see United wave farewell to £167.5m worth of signings.
Six others in serious danger of Ten Hag axe
However, the report names six other players are also in serious danger of the axe. They claim Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Alex Telles, Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and Anthony Martial will all be put up for sale.
And finally, and perhaps most surprisingly, the paper claims United will not stand in Marcus Rashford’s way if he too wants to leave.
The forward has looked a shadow of himself this season, having recently been singled out for criticism by Roy Keane.
Incidentally, the paper claims only one player can consider himself safe of a Manchester United exit – goalkeeper David De Gea.
ARSENAL TARGET MARCEL SABTIZER
Arsenal are looking to sign Marcel Sabitzer this summer following news the Austrian is up for sale at Bayern Munich.
The midfielder signed for Bayern in 2021 after an excellent season with RB Leipzig. However, he has struggled to make an impact at the Allianz Arena and will be allowed to depart.
Indeed, he has made just six starts at the Bundesliga champions, struggling to impress Julian Nagelsmann.
Both Arsenal and Tottenham were among his suitors last season, before he opted for Bayern.
But now Bild claims the Gunners are back on his trail again amid claims Bayern want just £12m.
That has understandably alerted Mikel Arteta who is looking to add more quality to the Arsenal midfield.
However, the German outlet claims Atletico Madrid are also keen with Diego Simeone looking for a midfielder recruit.
Atleti are also on the trail of Nemanja Matic, who this week announced his departure at Manchester United.
WEST HAM FANCY NOA LANG SIGNING
West Ham are the latest Premier League club to express an interest in signing Noa Lang, claims a report.
The winger has hit the high notes at Club Brugge over the past two seasons, with his form earning him international recognition with Holland.
That has also seen him gain some admiring glances from some Premier League suitors too.
Indeed, Leeds were the first to throw their hat in the ring, being strongly linked with a move to sign him last summer.
United, however, opted instead to sign long-term Marcelo Bielsa target Daniel James.
Since then, Lang has also emerged as a possible Arsenal target. It’s reported that the Gunners see Lang as a possible upgrade on Nicolas Pepe.
However, Calciomercato now reports that David Moyes’ West Ham are showing concrete interest in the 22-year-old.
They will face competition from AC Milan, who have long been on his trail.
Brugge are unlikely to stand in Lang’s way if a big offer comes their way, with the 15-goal winger rated at around £25m.
