Man Utd are ‘closing in’ on signing a new centre-forward who’ll cost a huge sum in a ‘straight cash deal’, while Chelsea are about to offload an unwanted flop and a West Ham forward is in talks with Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq – all in Tuesday’s Transfer Gossip.
TEN HAG TO GET ‘PRIORITY’ MAN UTD TARGET
Man Utd are ‘closing in’ on a deal that’ll bring Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund to Old Trafford, though the structure of the move and sums being quoted will make United chiefs wince, per a report.
The Red Devils are expected to wrap up their £43m move for Andre Onana in the next 48 hours. United hope to secure a visa for the Cameroon stopper to ensure he can take part in their pre-season tour of the USA.
Onana’s arrival – once confirmed – will see Man Utd’s summer spend swell to just under the £100m mark. Mason Mount was the first to arrive, setting United back £55m.
But with a back-up goalkeeper and second midfielder wanted as well as a starting striker, the Telegraph report United are seemingly out of the race for Harry Kane.
Tottenham will command £100m-plus for their all-time leading scorer. Furthermore, negotiations with Spurs are never easy and have a tendency to drag on.
As such, both the Telegraph and Daily Mail report Denmark international Hojlund is now front and centre in United’s plans.
Firstly, the Telegraph state Man Utd will ‘step up’ their pursuit once Onana is delivered.
Erik ten Hag is determined to lighten the load on Marcus Rashford who has just signed a new five-year deal worth a reported £325,000-a-week.
Hojlund is now the Dutchman’s ‘priority’ target, with the report noting United have ‘backed away’ from Kane.
But while Hojlund will unquestionably cost less than Kane would have done, a deal certainly won’t come cheap.
Indeed, the Telegraph note Atalanta have slapped a mammoth £86m asking price on the 20-year-old. It’s acknowledged that may be a simple negotiating tactic, though the report suggests even a £20m discount (£66m) would represent something of a ‘gamble’.
Hojlund only has one full season of first-team football in a top European league under his belt. He’s shown numerous signs of promise and stood up tall in Serie A, though a £66m outlay is still a sizeable investment for a player the Telegraph labels largely ‘unproven’.
Regardless, it’s a fee of that size that will be required, with the report adding Atalanta have made it clear to United they don’t want any players in exchange. Instead, they prefer a straight cash deal.
The Daily Mail add a brief update of their own, with their reporter, Chris Wheeler, simply stating Man Utd are ‘closing in on a deal’ for Hojlund.
CHELSEA FLOP AGREES THREE-YEAR DEAL WITH UCL SIDE
Chelsea are poised to offload Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and should generate a fee despite reportedly being willing to terminate his contract.
Aubameyang, 34, endured a miserable maiden campaign at Stamford Bridge following his arrival from Barcelona last summer.
Aubameyang set the Blues back around £10.3m, though once Thomas Tuchel was axed, the writing was on the wall.
Indeed, the veteran frontman barely got a sniff under Graham Potter and Frank Lampard despite Chelsea’s lacklustre displays in front of goal.
Fast forward to present day and Spanish outlet Sport claimed Chelsea could terminate Aubameyang’s contract to rid him off their books. Indeed, it was anticipated that aside from Saudi Arabian sides, finding a buyer would be difficult.
However, according to Fabrizio Romano, that drastic action won’t be required after Chelsea found a buyer in the form of French giant Marseille.
Per the transfer guru, Marseille have struck an agreement on personal terms with Aubameyang who’s in line to pen a three-year deal.
Aubameyang is deemed ‘open’ to the move, while negotiations between Chelsea and Marseille are ‘not expected to be complicated’.
As such, Marseille are ‘optimistic’ they can secure Aubameyang’s signing given all three of the player and both clubs seemingly want the move.
Marseille will enter the 2023/24 Champions League at the third qualifying round. Should they progress, a UCL campaign campaign and a swansong in France could await for a striker whose career was circling the drain at Stamford Bridge.
WEST HAM FRONTMAN IN TALKS WITH AL ETTIFAQ
Michail Antonio is in talks with Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq, and West Ham are open to cashing in as they size up a Chelsea striker as his replacement, per a report.
Antonio, 33, returned to David Moyes’ strongest XI in the second half of last season. Gianluca Scamacca struggled early on, with Antonio getting the nod after the World Cup break.
However, the Times report Moyes is keen to refresh his frontline and Antonio – who has held preliminary talks with Al Ettifaq – can leave.
Speculation Scamacca could return to Italy isn’t going away, while the Times also suggest Danny Ings could depart.
As such, at least two new strikers could be required and one man in West Ham’s sights is Armando Broja.
The Chelsea striker, 21, is on the comeback trail after undergoing surgery to repair an ACL injury picked up during the World Cup break.
TEAMtalk exclusively revealed Broja wants out of Stamford Bridge back on June 3. The Albanian is desperate for regular game-time and is unlikely to receive it at Chelsea.
