
Manchester United
Premier League • England
Transfer Gossip: John Murtough in clever final ploy to force Frenkie de Jong to make Man Utd move; Chelsea star in talks over Newcastle loan move

Manchester United are planning a last push to they believe will convince Frenkie de Jong to sign, Newcastle are closing on the signing of a Chelsea man, while Sunday’s Transfer Gossip claims the Blues have hope they can land a Bayern Munich defender.
FRENKIE DE JONG HOPES REKINDLED FOR MAN UTD
Manchester United remain hopeful they can still secure the signing of Frenkie de Jong before the window closes, with the club planning what is described as a ‘final push’ for his signature.
The Barcelona star is the No 1 summer target for new United boss Erik ten Hag. However, getting his signing over the line has proved far from easy with a number of hurdles blocking their path.
After weeks of wrangling, both clubs have seemingly settled on a fee for the player. That is reportedly set at £58m, with a further £8m made up in bonuses and add-ons.
And while Barcelona remain desperate to sell, convincing the player to leave Catalonia has proved an altogether different problem.
Indeed, with the LaLiga giants still owing De Jong around £14.4m in deferred wages, any deal for the midfielder looks complicated.
In an attempt to force him out, Barcelona have told De Jong he can only stay if he accepts a reduced contract at Camp Nou.
That has angered Gary Neville, who is doubling down on his criticism of of Barca chief Joan Laporta by insisting the player should take legal action.
Frenkie de Jong subject of double Man Utd offer
Now, in a surprising twist, Spanish daily Sport claims United are ready to cover those deferred wages to the player.
With director of football John Murtough preparing his ‘final offer’, Sport says United have approach his agent to make clear they will cover that shortfall.
In addition, they state United are also ready to make De Jong the highest-paid player at Old Trafford. Should he accept, they claim De Jong will leapfrog the unsettled Cristiano Ronaldo as the top earner at Manchester United.
That could see De Jong earning a salary packet well in excess of £350,000 a week, if the report is true.

Frenkie de Jong doesn't want Man Utd move
Frenkie de Jong has reportedly told Erik ten Hag he doesn’t want to join Manchester United.
That, though, does seems difficult to imagine. United would risk upsetting not just Ronaldo, but perhaps the rest of their squad in the process. It would also place unnecessary financial pressures on the club, who will not have Champions League football this season.
However, the report does claims that United believe the new offensive will finally convince De Jong to sign.
CHELSEA STAR TIMO WERNER IN NEWCASTLE TALKS
Timo Werner is in talks over a move to Newcastle – and the Magpies are the leading candidates to sign the unsettled Chelsea forward.
The Germany forward has endured a tough spell in the Premier League since signing for the Blues in summer 2020.
With Chelsea paying his £47.5m release clause, Werner made a fast start to life at Stamford Bridge.
However, the goals soon dried up and his confidence deserted him. Indeed, Werner only has a lowly 23 goals in 89 appearances for Chelsea.
As such, the Blues are reportedly willing to let him leave the club on loan this summer.
His former club RB Leipzig are among his admirers and are reportedly looking into a possible deal.
However, the Daily Mirror reports that is is Newcastle who are leading the chase for Werner.
They claim Werner is desperate to prove himself a success in the Premier League – giving Newcastle the belief they can sign him. Furthermore, Chelsea will reportedly insist that any loan deal contains an obligation to buy next summer.
Werner, though, will reportedly have to take a significant wages drop to secure the move to Tyneside.
The Mirror writes that he currently earns £270,000 a week – far higher than Newcastle are willing to pay.
BENJAMIN PAVARD KEEN TO MAKE CHELSEA SWITCH
Bayern Munich defender is reportedly keen on joining Chelsea this summer.
The 26-year-old is on Thomas Tuchel’s wanted list with the club missing out on Jules Kounde. Kounde has joined Barcelona in a deal worth around £42m, dealing Chelsea a blow after a year-long chase.
The Blues, though, are in no mood to hang around and are already planning moves for other targets.
And it seems Kounde’s fellow Frenchman Pavard is next on their wanted list.
The versatile star can play at either right-back or centre-half. His preferred position, though, is in central defence. But with Bayern recently signing Matthijs De Ligt, his prospects of playing there appear limited.
As such, the Bundesliga champions are willing to let Pavard leave this summer.
Now, as per the Daily Mail, Pavard is keen on a move to Stamford Bridge were Chelsea to make their move.
Tuchel is also keen on Leicester’s Wesley Fofana. Leicester, though, are unwilling to sell and have responded by slapping a huge £70m fee on the defender.
Presnel Kimpembe and Milan Skriniar are also emerging as options for the Blues.
Any deal for Pavard, however, would come cheaper with an offer of around £40m likely to convince Bayern to sell.