Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Euro Paper Talk: Man Utd plot triple raid on Spain with former flop to return and Ten Hag going to war with Barcelona

Jan Oblak of Atletico warms up during the Spanish championship La Liga football match between Real Madrid and Atletico de Madrid on December 12, 2021 at Santiago Bernabeu stadium

Manchester United are looking to make three signings from Spain in January with a controversial former flop to return, Arsenal will sacrifice Takehiro Tomiyasu in a swap deal with Inter Milan, while Tuesday’s Euro Paper Talk claims Tottenham are chasing a £45m-rated Sporting Lisbon star.

MARTIN ZUMBIMENDI DEAL GATHERING PACE FOR MAN UTD

Erik ten Hag is ready to go to war with Barcelona over a deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, according to reports.

The United manager spent well over £200m in the summer during the first phase of his squad rebuild. But plans are gathering pace for another tasty splurge in the January market – with Zubimendi seeming their top target.

TEAMtalk confirmed last month that Sociedad star Zubimendi was on Ten Hag’s list of targets. He has enjoyed an excellent season with Real Sociedad, who sit third in LaLiga and are pushing for Champions League qualification.

Indeed, he caught the eye during the Spanish side’s two Europa League matches against United earlier this season.

The player has a £56m (€65m) exit clause in his deal, giving United hope of a deal. However, strengthening their midfield was not expected to be their primary objective in the January window and any deal was likely to be on hold until the summer.

However, AS now claims Barcelona are making plans of their own for Zubimendi, forcing Man Utd to act. The Blaugrana are likely to have cash available to spend in January and are seeking a successor to Sergio Busquests, who looks set to end his illustrious career at the Nou Camp.

And it seems Zubimendi is their No 1 target. Ten Hag, though, is not prepared to take that lying down and is ready to muscle in ahead of Barcelona for his signing.

Man Utd also want Memphis Depay and Jan Oblak

United are seemingly ready to raid Barcelona directly too, amid claims they are ready to lure Memphis Depay back to Old Trafford.

The Dutch attacker is out of contract next summer and is eligible to leave on a free transfer from July 1. However, United now reportedly hope to bring him in during the January window, with a cut-price deal on the cards.

Depay’s showing at the World Cup has generated plenty of interest in his services. Indeed, Arsenal, Tottenham and Galatasaray are among those seemingly keen.

However, AS now claims that it is United that lead the chase.

They intend to bring Depay back to Old Trafford with Barcelona glad to get him off their wage bill. Incredibly, a deal could see Depay soon face his former employers too, with Barca drawn against United in the next round of the Europa League.

Depay struggled during his two years at United between 2015-2017, scoring just seven times in 53 appearances.

Incredibly, United are also vying to make a third raid on Spain in January too with Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak in their sights.

Oblak, widely regarded as one of the best keepers in the world, is seen as Ten Hag’s dream replacement for David De Gea.

De Gea falls out of contract next summer and may be allowed to leave. Now reports claim Oblak can sign for a deal as little as £35m.

United are also reportedly chasing Yann Sommer, but reports in Spain claim Oblak is the real target.

ARSENAL WANT DUMFRIES, TOMIYASU SWAP

Arsenal are willing to offer Japan defender Takehiro Tomiyasu in a swap deal for Denzel Dumfries. (Tuttosport)

Barcelona are watching Gabriel Martinelli at the World Cup with the Arsenal man the subject of strong interest. (Sport)

Crystal Palace are pushing to sign Galatasaray’s Sacha Boey in a £12m deal, with the full-back previously on Liverpool’s radar. (Foot Mercato)

Wolves are ready to pay around £17.2m (€20m) to sign Osasuna defender David Garcca. (AS)

Wolves are also favourites to sign Matheus Cunha and are also chasing Atletico defender Felipe in a triple deal. (Cadena Cope)

 

Manchester United are ready to rival Chelsea and Tottenham in the race to sign RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol. (Florian Plettenberg)

Valencia are keen on a January deal for Bryan Gil and are hoping to convince Tottenham into another loan move. (Fabrizio Romano)

FLORENINTO PEREZ WANTS RAFAEL NADAL TO SUCCEED HIM AT REAL MADRID

New Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui is ready to let Raul Jimenez leave the club in one of the upcoming transfer windows. (W Deportes)

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, 75, is planning his retirement – and wants tennis icon Rafael Nadal to succeed him. (Sport)

Napoli will challenge Tottenham and Aston Villa for the cut-price signing of Franck Kessie from Barcelona. (Relevo)

Man Utd are out of the race for Jude Bellingham, with the star to choose between Liverpool, Man City and Real Madrid. (Sky Deutschland)

Real Madrid, meanwhile, will not pay more than £108m (€125m) for the England midfielder. (Defensa Cental)

Inter Milan are looking into a surprise deal to sign Roma defender Chris Smalling with his deal at the club expiring next summer. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Tottenham are willing to sell Lucas Moura in the January window for a fee of around £10m with Brazilian side Flamengo leading the chase. (Bolavip)

TOTTENHAM CHASING SPORTING LISBON FULL-BACK

Pedro Porro competing with Ivan Perisic

Tottenham are keen to sign Pedro Porro from Sporting Lisbon, with the full-back rated at around £39m (€45m). (Record)

Inter Milan are now seeking a minimum fee of £43m (€50m) for Denzel Dumfries after his starring role at the World Cup. (Calciomercato)

Youri Tielemans is yet to decide on his next club amid links to both Arsenal and Barcelona. (Fabrizio Romano)

Inter are looking to agree a new deal with Edin Dzeko with his current deal due to expire next summer. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Italy midfielder Marco Verratti is close to agreeing a new four-year deal with PSG. (Fabrizio Romano)

Burnley manager Vincent Kompany is the Belgian FA’s top choice to replace Roberto Martinez as their new manager. (Het Laatste Nieuws)

Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s agent says the player wants to sign a deal that will cement the rest of his playing days to Napoli. (Radio Kiss Kiss)

Dion Drena Beljo claims Leeds and Newcastle are his two favourite Premier League clubs as talk of a move gathers pace. (Sky Deutschland)