Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Euro Paper Talk: John Murtough readies bargain raid for Barcelona defender as work on £55m striker signing gathers pace; Leeds given green light to buy attacking target

Dries Mertens of SSC Napoli, Sergino Dest of FC Barcelona during the UEFA Europa League match between SSC Napoli and FC Barcelona

Manchester United are ready to move for Sergino Dest and are stepping up their hunt for a £55m striker deal, Chelsea lead Real Madrid and Barcelona for a top Brazilian talent, while Wednesday’s Euro Paper Talk claims Leeds have the green light to sign a top attacking target.

SERGINO DEST DEAL COMES INTO FOCUS FOR MAN UTD

Manchester United are reportedly ready to move for Sergino Dest after learning the bargain fee Barcelona are seeking.

Erik ten Hag has already moved to strengthen his left-back options with the signing of Tyrell Malacia. Described as a modern-day wing-back, who can cut inside and add to the attack, Malacia is expected to have a big impact at United.

Now Ten Hag wants the same option on the right side, with a move for Dest seemingly in the club’s sights.

And, according to Sport, Barcelona are willing to offload the full-back for a bargain fee of just £16.7m (€20m).

That fee is well within United’s reach. As such, the club’s director of football John Murtough is reportedly looking to push that through as soon as possible. The move has also been given the green light by Ten Hag.

And once the signing of Dest goes through, United will push through the departure of Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The £50m signing from Crystal Palace appears to have no future at Old Trafford. To that end, he is one of six defenders that Ten Hag has reportedly put up for sale.

Still only 21, Dest has plenty of experience, playing over 100 times for Ajax and Barcelona. He is also 17 caps for USMNT.

United, of course, have had trouble pushing through one signing from Barcelona this summer in Frenkie de Jong. But they will unlikely encounter any such issues with Dest and his signing is likely to be relatively straight-forward.

Man Utd focused on Benjamin Sesko as well as Sergino Dest

Manchester United are also stepping up their pursuit of RB Salzburg striker Benjamin Sesko, per reports.

Ten Hag is keen to bolster his attacking options this summer and has been in the market for Antony. However, Ajax are refusing to let him go easily and are seemingly setting United a lofty price.

Instead, Ten Hag appears more focused on signing Slovenian star Sesko.

Rated at around the £55m (€65m) mark, the 19-year-old has already drawn comparisons with Erling Haaland.

Big, tall and powerful, Sesko netted 11 times in 37 appearances last season.

Now, as per Fabrizio Romano, efforts to bring him to Old Trafford are stepping up.

Man United want Sergino Dest

Man United want Sergino Dest

Manchester United have been linked with a €20m move for Barcelona's Sergino Dest.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano provided the following update.

“[It’s a] really important week for Sesko, it’s a really, really important week for his decision. Manchester United have made contacts with his agents. Salzburg wanted to sell him next summer, but now they know they’re going to receive proposals [this summer].

“But it’s not only Manchester United. Also other clubs…are keeping tabs on Sesko, and are interested in Sesko. And this is why timing will be important for United if they really want to sign Sesko. They consider him a top talent but it’s now time to be fast, because…other clubs are interested in Benjamin Sesko.

“My feeling is, this name will be on the news this week with many updates because things are happening.”

PSG WILLING TO SELL LEEDS UNITED TARGET ARNAUD KALIMUEMDO

Arnaud Kalimuendo of PSG during the preseason friendly soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Kawasaki Frontale at National Stadium in Tokyo

Leeds United have been told that PSG will sell top target Arnaud Kalimuendo this summer, despite Christophe Galtier’s claims otherwise. (CBS Sports)

Chelsea are leading Barcelona and Real Madrid in the hunt to sign 16-year-old Palmeiras prospect Endrick Felipe. Any deal, however, remains on hold until the player turns 18 due to EU regulations. (AS)

Manchester City have seen a huge £66.8m (€80m) offer for Josko Gvardiol rejected by RB Leipzig. (Bild)

Eintracht Frankfurt wing-back Filip Kostic is stalling on a move to West Ham as he waits to see if Juventus make a firm move for him. (Calciomercato)

Tottenham have seen an offer for Roma winger Nicola Zalewski knocked back following their interest in Nicolo Zaniolo. (Corriere dello Sport)

AC Milan are keen to sign both Japhet Tanganga and Pape Sarr with the Tottenham pair wanted on loan-to-buy deals. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Roma are close to signing Georginio Wijnaldum with the PSG midfielder opting for the Italian capital ahead of Everton. (Fabrizio Romano)

CHELSEA SET PRICE FOR DOUBLE AZPILICUETA, ALONSO SALE

Marcos Alonso, Chelsea, May 2022.

Chelsea are demanding Barcelona pay a £21m (€25m) double fee if they want to sign Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta. (Mundo Deportivo)

Barcelona are lauching an opening £12.5m (€15m) offer to Athletic Bilbao for defender Inigo Martinez. (Sport)

Leeds United are reportedly considering a move for Ismaila Sarr, who Watford value at £29.3m (€35m). (Foot Mercato)

Sampdoria will sign Carles Perez from Roma as Mikkel Damsgaard’s replacement with the Dane closing on a £16.7m (€20m) move to Brentford. (Sky Italia)

Ademola Lookman will undergo a medical with Atalanta on Wednesday with a £12.5m (€15m) move nearing. (Sky Italia)

Girona have confirmed the loan signing of Yangel Herrera from Man City; the fifth season he has spent away from the Etihad and on loan in LaLiga. (various)

BOURNEMOUTH MAKE MOVE TO SIGN BARCELONA KEEPER NETO

Bournemouth are holding surprise talks with Barcelona over the signing of goalkeeper Neto. (Revolvo)

Roma midfielder Jordan Veretout is likely to join Marseille with Milan and Juventus both looking elsewhere. (Foot Mercato)

Brighton are considering RB Leipzig’s Spanish full-back Angelino as a possible replacement for Chelsea-linked Marc Cucurella. (Sky Deutchsland)

Manchester City are targeting Anderlecht’s Spain Under-21 left-back Sergio Gomez after missing out on Cucurella. (Sacha Tavolieri)

Manchester United hope to sell Eric Bailly next, with Sevilla leading the charge, and with Alex Telles agreeing to join the LaLiga outfit. (various)

Giacomo Raspadori is looking to leave Sassuolo with Juventus and Napoli in a battle for his signature. (Sky Italia)