Transfer Gossip: Man Utd eye attacking deal before January and now want to bypass negotiations; exit fears grow at Man City

Transfer Gossip: Man Utd eye attacking deal before January and now want to bypass negotiations; exit fears grow at Man City

Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford

Manchester United are ready to reduce the risk of losing the battle for an attacker’s long-term future, while rivals Manchester City are worrying one key player wants out – all in Tuesday’s transfer gossip.

RASHFORD READY TO HAVE CONTRACT EXTENDED

Manchester United will activate the 12-month option to extend the contract of Marcus Rashford if they cannot secure a longer agreement by January, according to a report.

Rashford has been back in form this season and recently hit the landmark of 100 goals for Manchester United. However, his long-term future remains up for question, since his contract is due to expire at the end of the season.

The club can extend it by 12 months should they desire, which is something that now looks likely to happen.

According to the Daily Mail, Manchester United want to continue with Rashford. Despite this, it looks difficult for negotiations to take place before the new year.

Manchester United would be at risk of losing Rashford to a foreign club from January 1, when he could start talking about a pre-contract agreement.

However, the 12-month option the club have gives them a bit of leeway until they can sit down with the England international.

Aware that Rashford’s representatives met with Paris Saint-Germain earlier this year, Manchester United want to avoid any risk of the 25-year-old heading off elsewhere.

Contract extension not against Rashford wishes

For his part, a contract extension would be a welcome solution. But it is likely that triggering the 12-month option would only be a temporary measure from Man Utd, who would then want to renew his deal for longer in 2023.

Rashford seems to have earned it, but with the World Cup coming up, it is easy to see why his overall focus may be elsewhere at this moment in time.

All he can do is keep showing his best side on the pitch, while Manchester United take care of his future for the short term.

Having only represented them in his career so far at club level, continuing their association would make sense. It would be fitting to see Rashford stick it out at Old Trafford long term. Although any agreement in that regard may have to wait.

At the same time, it would be interesting to see him challenge himself abroad. Concerned about that prospect, Man Utd are ready to secure his services for next season at least.

MAN CITY COULD LOSE CAPTAIN

Ilkay Gundogan sitting on the Manchester City bench
Ilkay Gundogan sitting on the Manchester City bench

Elsewhere in Manchester, champions City have their own growing fears about the loss of a key player in 2023.

According to Football Insider, Manchester City are worried that Ilkay Gundogan will not be renewing his contract, which also expires at the end of the season.

It is not yet clear where he might end up. However, there are suitors elsewhere in the Premier League, or in mainland Europe for the former Borussia Dortmund star.

Despite contact between the club and Gundogan’s representatives, there is not yet any sign of an agreement.

The 32-year-old, who became Manchester City’s captain over the summer, could soon walk away on a free transfer.

After being Pep Guardiola’s first signing at the club in 2016, it would be a big blow for them to lose the German ace. He has become a goal threat in recent years and a vital member of the midfield.

Manchester City must simply keep trying to get the best out of him, however long that lasts.

CHELSEA EYE PREMIER LEAGUE WING-BACK

Chelsea are interested in a January bid for Wolves full-back Nelson Semedo, it has been claimed.

The Blues are currently light in the right-back position due to an injury to Reece James, who is likely to miss the World Cup with England.

Cesar Azpilicueta remains a useful option for Graham Potter. But he may have become more accustomed to playing more centrally in a back three in recent years.

Therefore, more cover for James might be necessary, especially after he also encountered injury issues this time last year.

In that regard, it has now been claimed that Chelsea are looking at Wolves’ Semedo.

Journalist Simon Phillips has confirmed to Give Me Sport that Semedo is someone Chelsea like and could turn to as competition.

Wolves signed him in 2020 for a fee close to £30million. He is out of contract in 2023. But the Molineux outfit can extend his stay by two years should they wish.

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