Manchester United have seen a substantial opening offer for Vitinha fail, but have learned what it would take to sign the Porto star, West Ham are targeting a £75m-rated midfielder, while Thursday’s Transfer Gossip reveals Kalvin Phillips has delivered a heartbreaking blow for Leeds.
VITINHA OFFER FALLS SHORT FOR MAN UTD
Manchester United have reportedly seen their opening offer for Portuguese midfielder Vitinha fail – but they still retain hope of securing his signing this summer.
United are seemingly going back to the drawing board after hitting a brick wall with Frenkie de Jong. Their pursuit of the Dutchman has been laboured to the say the least. And with Barcelona haggling over his fee, the midfielder has seemingly delivered a knockout blow.
Furthermore, with Erik ten Hag only having limited funds this summer, the club look to have moved on quickly.
Indeed, reports on Tuesday claimed United have now turned their attentions towards Porto star Vitinha.
The 22-year-old has been making waves at the Estadio do Dragao after becoming a regular in their side. He played 38 times this season, helping the club to a domestic league and cup double.
Better yet, he already has Premier League experience, having honed his talents during 22 appearances while on loan at Wolves in 2020/21.
Now Manchester United have reportedly seen a ‘considerable’ opening offer rejected for the star.
However, Porto president Pinto de Costa insists all is not lost and they’ll have no choice but to sell if his release clause is met. That currently stands at £34m (€40m) – a price clearly within United’s reach.
De Costa said: “There was a concrete offer, of considerable value, for Vitinha that we did not accept. And we referred them to the release clause, which is only way to take our player.”
Arsenal are also reportedly keeping tabs on the situation and could yet make a counter offer of their own.
Vitinha stands at 5ft 8in and is most comfortable in a defensive midfield role. He has three caps for his country.
KALVIN PHILLIPS TELLS LEEDS HE WANTS TO LEAVE
Leeds have finally received the news they were dreading – with Kalvin Phillips reportedly telling the club he wants to leave.
The midfielder has become a hometown hero for Leeds, having emerged through their academy to become an England regular.
But with two years left on his deal, the player’s future has been seriously under the spotlight.
Earlier this year it was suggested that Phillips was keen to sign a new deal to keep him at Leeds. Still on the contract he signed as a Championship player in 2019, Phillips would have been in line for a hefty pay-rise at Elland Road.
But Leeds United cannot compete with the riches that the big boys can offer. And now it seems interest from Manchester City has turned Phillips’ head.
Pep Guardiola’s side are looking for a new defensive midfielder to fill Fernandinho’s shoes. And reports have suggested that Phillips is their No 1 target to fill the role. Furthermore, reports on Wednesday suggested they were confident of securing a £45m – £50m deal for the 26-year-old.
They Cityzens are likely to make their first approach to sign Phillips this week with negotiations over his sale expected to progress quickly.
And with confirmation reportedly arriving that Phillips wants out, the club will seemingly not block his path over the transfer.
Leeds, for their part, are reportedly looking at RB Leipzig’s Tyler Adams as a replacement.
WEST HAM WANT JAMES WARD-PROWSE
West Ham are in the market to sign James Ward-Prowse and are reportedly planning a big-money offer for the set-piece king.
Ward-Prowse has forced his way into the England squad while at Southampton, earning a reputation as a dead-ball specialist.
Although he signed a new long-term deal at the club last summer, that has not stopped the rumours swirling.
The likes of Tottenham and Aston Villa have both been linked with moves.
More recently, Newcastle were also reportedly considering a move for the 11-cap England man.
However, the Daily Mirror claims it is the Hammers who pose the strongest threat. Their manager David Moyes is looking to add quality additions to his squad.
As such, he reportedly sees Ward-Prowse as a priority signing this summer. West Ham United lost long-serving midfielder Mark Noble to retirement at the end of last season – and Ward-Prowse would be an excellent replacement.
Southampton, however, will not allow him to depart on the cheap. Indeed, a report on Wednesday suggested they could ask for as much as £75m for the player.
Ward-Prowse scored 11 times in 42 appearances in all competitions, including several of his trademark free-kicks, during the 2021/22 campaign.
