Liverpool are threatening, but Man Utd have taken the lead in signing a clinical striker to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, while Man City have agreed their biggest deal yet, both in Wednesday’s Transfer Gossip.
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MAN UTD MOBILIZER FOR A NEW ATALANT
Man Utd have learned how much it will cost to sign a lethal striker in January and a report claims the Red Devils have outbid their transfer rivals, including Liverpool.
Old Trafford is the center of attention at the moment after two big announcements from the club.
Firstly, Cristiano Ronaldo has mutually agreed to leave six months before the end of his contract. His explosive interview with TalkTV was the catalyst for his untimely exit and how much United will save in unpaid wages has been revealed.
This bombshell was quickly followed by news of the Glazer family putting Manchester United up for sale.
Sky News claimed they could seek up to £9bn, although a later statement from the club highlighted the possibility of the controversial American owners potentially clinging to power.
Regardless, today’s Transfer Gossip refers to the story above, specifically who could take Ronaldo’s place in Erik ten Hag’s front line.
In this sense, the Italian channel Calciomercato reports that Man Utd is leading the race to sign Dutch ace Cody Gakpo.
The PSV Eindhoven winger has been on United’s radar for some time, even during the summer when they prioritized Antony.
Gakpo could have been signed for around £35m at the time, although his incredible form (34 goals in 30 appearances this season) has seen his valuation rise.
Calcio Report PSV will no longer be sold for less than 45-50 million euros. This equates to a maximum valuation of around £43m.
Even that lofty figure is within United’s means. Also, TEAMtalk’s transfer tipper recently explained why it will be PSV more open to selling in January than they would have been otherwise.
Liverpool threaten but Man Utd lead
Calcio’s report comes from covering AC Milan’s interest in Gakpo, although it also put Liverpool in the frame.
The Reds have reportedly taken a considerable amount of information on the potential transfer. However, it is stressed that it is Man Utd “above all others” who have done the most work.
United also have the obvious Dutch connection in their locker room through manager Ten Hag. If the Red Devils want to sign Gakpo, he could fill in as a centre-forward for the rest of the season before the club look for a more permanent successor to Ronaldo in the summer.
Gakpo’s versatility allows him to operate anywhere in the front line, although his preferred position is the left wing.
As far as six-month layoffs go, there wouldn’t be much better than Gakpo, who would go on the wing next season if a centre-forward is signed at a late date.
In this regard, both Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and PSG’s Kylian Mbappe have been promoted.
THE CITY MAN AGREEMENT A CRITICAL AGREEMENT
Man City have agreed possibly their biggest deal yet which will deal a major blow to each and every one of their Premier League rivals, according to a report.
Manchester’s blue half have been the dominant force in England for the past decade, but it is under Pep Guardiola’s tenure that they have really tightened the noose.
City have won four of the last five Premier League titles. They have also produced three of the seven highest season point totals in EPL history during that time.
While superstar players like Kevin de Bruyne have been central to everything City have done well, the real spark behind their dominance has been Pep Guardiola.
The Spaniard’s current deal expires at the end of the season and losing him would be a bitter pill to swallow for City, especially as Jurgen Klopp penned new terms at Liverpool at the start of 2022.
Klopp committed his future until 2026, and according to The Athletic, Guardiola has followed up the same deal with a two-year extension at the Etihad.
His deal, which is understood to be agreed, although not yet officially confirmed, will be structured as an initial one-year deal.
Both Guardiola and the club will have a say on whether to break the contract after 12 months. If they choose this route, they will stay for a second year. In total, his future is potentially secured until 2025.
FABRIZIO ROMANO HANDS UTD, LIVERPOOL BOW
Liverpool and Man Utd were hoping to sign Borussia Dortmund big man Youssoufa Moukoko, Fabrizio Romano has rejected.
The 18-year-old is one of world football’s most outstanding properties in the final third.
Moukoko earned a call-up to Germany’s World Cup squad after several eye-catching displays at club level this season.
Moukoko will become a free agent at the end of the season, prompting massive speculation that Dortmund could cash in on the last-chance lounge in January.
Indeed, Football Insider reported that Moukoko was set to sign his first professional contract with an England-based agency upon turning 18 three days ago. This was reportedly with a view to lining up a move to the Premier League. Like every rising German star, he has also been indexed to Bayern Munich.
However, according to transfer guru Romano, Moukoko is in talks over a contract extension at Dortmund.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, the trusted source said: “From what I am told, there are no advanced negotiations between Bayern and Youssoufa Moukoko at the moment.
“It is still an open situation. Moukoko is talking to Borussia Dortmund, because Borussia Dortmund wants to extend his contract, also with the possibility of selling him at the right time, as they did with Haaland, as they did with Sancho, as they will do with Jude Bellingham. So with a very clear plan to sell it at the right time.
“It depends on Moukoko, but at the moment nothing advanced with Bayern and many clubs interested.”
Romano claimed that clubs in England, Italy and Spain are circling. Although it looks like they’ll have to wait beyond 2023 to land their man.
