Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Euro Paper Talk: Talks begin for spectacular Man Utd signing of £90m Cristiano Ronaldo replacement

Alessandro Zanoli, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Victor Osimhen, during the morning training session on the seventh day of the preseason training camp of SSC Napoli 2022-23 in Val di Sole in Trentino, Dimaro Folgarida

Manchester United are in talks over a deal to sign a top-quality striker who could inherit Ronaldo’s iconic No 7 shirt, Tottenham are using an inside man to smooth the path towards a club-record deal, while Monday’s Euro Paper Talk claims Newcastle are pushing to sign a World Cup midfielder.

OSIMHEN TO MAN UTD TALKS BEGIN

Manchester United are reported to have held talks with Napoli over the signing of Victor Osimhen.

The Red Devils are stepping up their chase to sign a new centre forward with Cristiano Ronaldo departing the club last week. And while the Portuguese veteran has not been a regular this season, his departure still leaves Erik ten Hag with a sizeable hole to fill.

In an ideal world, Ten Hag would like a replacement brought in during the January window. And while not regarded as a central striker, they do look set to boost their attack with a deal for Cody Gakpo looking increasingly likely.

That should give Ten Hag the firepower he needs to see out the season and hopefully secure the top-four finish he craves at Old Trafford.

Down the line, though, the Dutchman wants a new striker added to his mix. And reports claim the man right at the top of his wanted list are Napoli frontman Osimhen.

The Nigerian is one of the most sought-after stars in European football, having blasted in nearly a goal every two games during his career. That record includes an impressive 10 in 14 games for runaway Serie A leaders Napoli this season.

And while the Neopolitans have no desire to sell their star man in January, Il Napoli claims it is ‘no secret’ that talks over his transfer in the summer have already taken place.

Napoli are likely to seek a minimum £90m (€105m) for the 23-year-old. And while United will look to structure the deal to pay less up front, his signing is likely to cost United what will amount to a club-record fee.

Reports claim the deal will likely to go through once the season is over, with Osimhen potentially inheriting Ronaldo’s iconic No 7 shirt in the process.

TOTTENHAM USE INSIDE AGENT TO SECURE GVARDIOL DEAL

Tottenham are using ‘inside agent’ Ivan Perisic to sign Croatia star Josko Gvardiol in what would be a £72m club-record deal. (Tuttomercatoweb)

Mykhaylo Mudryk is seriously impressed by Arsenal and would not be able to turn down a transfer there, claims Ben Jacobs. (Give Me Sport)

Leeds United are facing competition from West Ham, Everton and Leicester for Salernitana forward Boulaye Dia. (Tutto Salernitana)

Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez will become a prime target for Premier League clubs in 2023 amid links to Liverpool and Chelsea. (Fabrizio Romano)

Leicester are in talks to sign Atalanta winger Jeremie Boga, with Fiorentina also keen. (La Repubblica)

 

Tottenham are emerging as the leading contenders to sign Poland defender Jakub Kiwior ahead of Roma and Atletico Madrid. (AS)

NEWCASTLE MAKE RABIOT THEIR NO 1 TARGET

Man City star Ilkay Gundogan is Barcelona’s ‘main object of desire’ in the January transfer window. (Mundo Deportivo)

Aston Villa and Sevilla are reportedly chasing a January deal for RCD Mallorca striker Vedat Muriqi. (various)

Wolves are leading the chase to sign Mexico winger Alexis Vega, amid claims he is likely to leave Chivas in January. (EL10.com)

Tottenham are considering offloading Emerson Royal in January with Inter Milan looking at the Brazilian as a replacement for Denzel Dumfries. (various)

Leicester City are reportedly looking to sign Fenerbahce defender Attila Szalai, who has been compared to Virgil van Dijk. (Aksam)

Newcastle are leading Chelsea in the hunt to sign Adrien Rabiot from Juventus in January. (Il Bianconero)

AC MILAN LEADING LEEDS FOR NOAH OKAFOR

Manchester United are considering a shock raid on Chelsea to sign Christian Pulisic in January. (ESPN)

Girona midfielder Aleix Garcia is cooling talk he could move to Atletico Madrid or Barcelona in the January window. (Canal 21 Ebre)

AC Milan are at the front of the queue to sign RB Salzburg’s Switzerland forward Noah Okafor, with Arsenal and Leeds also reportedly keen. (Calciomercato)

The Italian champions are also targeting deals for Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Jeremy Doku, both of the Stellar Agency. (Calciomercato)

Juventus are looking to sign Atalanta’s Joakim Maehle as their push for a new left-back is stepped up. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Barcelona are ready to offer a new five-year deal Spanish left-back Alejandro Balde following the 19-year-old’s rapid rise. (Fabrizio Romano)

JUVENTUS TO MOVE FOR LIVERPOOL TARGET NICO WILLIAMS

Nico Williams, Atletico Madrid v Athletic Bilbao January 2022

Juventus are readying an approach Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams following previous links with Liverpool. (AS)

Inter Milan are keen on a surprise deal to sign Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson following his impressive World Cup form. (various)

Roma are open to allowing Uzbekistan forward Eldor Shomurodov leave in January, though only if the price is right. (Tuttomercatoweb)

AC Milan are stepping up their chase to prise Hakim Ziyech from Chelsea with an initial loan deal likely. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Tottenham are keen on signing Denmark winger Andreas Skov Olsen following his impressive season at Club Brugges. (Het Nieuwsblad)

Chelsea are reportedly chasing Ecuador centre-back Piero Hincapie, who they feel would be an ideal replacement for Thiago Silva. (various)