Transfer Gossip: Man Utd shorten striker wishlist to two names as Ten Hag readies massive offer; Chelsea plot £137m double deal
Manchester United are considering two strikers as they look to boost their firepower, Chelsea are set to sign two stars in a £137m double deal, while Wednesday’s Transfer Gossip claims Newcastle are looking to sign a classy midfielder on a free.
TEN HAG HAS TWO NAMES ON MAN UTD STRIKER WISHLIST
Manchester United are planning to move for one of two strikers in January as Erik ten Hag looks to add more firepower to his ranks.
The Red Devils are within a point of fourth-placed Tottenham with a game in hand following Tuesday’s 3-0 cruise over Nottingham Forest. But the margin of victory could and should have been far greater with United dominating throughout.
After the game, Ten Hag admitted United need to be more ruthless, having also passed comment on missing out to Liverpool for Cody Gakpo.
Nonetheless, a hunt for a new striker at Old Trafford is well and truly underway. And thoughts are now turning to who they can bring in to play through the middle and score the goals needed to secure a top-four spot.
Exploring their options, journalist Dean Jones claims have two men under consideration.
“I think the case for Jonathan David could now more firmly come into view,” he told GiveMeSport.
“They might even make a check on Tammy Abraham. They like him a lot, so they might even put a check in there.”
Abraham scored 17 goals in 37 games in Serie A during his debut season with Roma. However, the striker has found the going tough the second time around and rumours are circling that the Giallorossi could cash in.
Jonathan David could become Man Utd’s top target
However, any deal for Abraham could be for higher than United are willing to spend. Roma are reportedly sticking a £45m asking price on his head, despite his lack of goals this season.
But a move for David may prove more up their street. United have watched the Lille man intensively and there are theories growing that he could be an ideal addition for their attack.
He will also come with a price tag of around £45m, despite struggling at the World Cup.
But with 41 goals in 111 games with Lille, he has shown he has a decent eye for goal.
And Fabrizio Romano reckons he will leave the Ligue 1 club in 2023.
“Jonathan David, I’m told that soon, many clubs will move and there is a great, great chance for him to make his move in 2023,” Romano claimed on his YouTube channel.
“Let’s see if it will be January, let’s see if it will be [in the] summer, but Jonathan David is expected to leave Lille in 2023 and many clubs are tracking him.”
CHELSEA READY TO BREAK TRANSFER RECORD FOR ENZO FERNANDEZ
Chelsea are reportedly preparing a club-record bid to sign Enzo Fernandez in the January window.
The Benfica midfielder enjoyed a superb World Cup, helping Argentina to glory and being named Young Player of the Tournament.
He has this season become a household name after some excellent displays for Benfica in both the Primeira Liga and the Champions League.
The 21-year-old midfielder moved to the Portuguese side for a bargain £12m over the summer. But they could now make ten times their initial investment with interest growing from several Premier League sides.
Leading that chase has been Liverpool, who are in desperate need of signing new midfielders. Manchester United are also credited with an interest, with Fernandez himself recently opening up over his future.
However, the Daily Record claims it is Chelsea who are readying the first offer for Fernandez. And they are seemingly ready to pay the £103m release clause that sits in the midfielder’s contract.
That would represent a new club record deal for the Blues, with Graham Potter desperate to stamp his mark on his squad.
Chelsea do need to spend big on their midfield with both Jorginho and N’Golo Kante likely to quit this year. And Fernandez could be the first step towards plugging that gap with a huge offer reportedly being prepped.
Fernandez won’t be the first signing to arrive at Chelsea in January, however.
That honour will fall on Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile, who has been in talks over a move to Stamford Bridge.
And it’s reported that his £35m switch to the Blues will be sealed before the end of the week. With a move for Fernandez set to follow, Chelsea are seemingly closing on a £137m double deal to kickstart the January window.
NEWCASTLE WEIGHING UP JORGINHO MOVE
Newcastle could look to lure Jorginho to St James’ Park when his contract expires at Chelsea next summer, claims a report.
The Italy midfielder looks destined to leave Stamford Bridge after five years at the club. And having made over 130 appearances since signing from Napoli, Jorginho has become a trusted member of the Blues midfield.
However, his deal is due to run down in the summer and a free-transfer return to Italy appears to be on the cards. The likes of Lazio and Juventus are both reportedly keen on the 31-year-old.
But the Daily Mail claims Newcastle could instead look to keep him in the Premier League instead.
Eddie Howe’s side are currently riding high in second in the Premier League. As it stands, they are well placed to bring Champions League football back to St James’ Park.
And a player of Jorginho’s class and experience could certainly come in useful should they return to European football’s top table.
Newcastle could look to tempt Jorginho by offering him a three-year deal on handsome wages. And the challenge of playing a part in Newcastle’s re-awakening might yet tempt Jorginho ahead of a return to Italy.
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