Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Transfer Gossip: Ten Hag wants Bundesliga marksman to replace Ronaldo at Man Utd with Joao Felix interest dropped; double Tottenham boost on integral deal

Erik ten Hag, Man Utd manager, during pre-season friendly - Manchester United v Rayo Vallecano - Old Trafford

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag

Manchester United are aiming to capture an imposing Bundesliga striker as Cristiano Ronaldo’s replacement up front, Tottenham are ‘confident’ about securing a big-money deal, while Tuesday’s Transfer Gossip claims Chelsea will look to loan out a recent signing.

TEN HAG HOPES TO LAND BAYER LEVERKUSEN ACE

Erik ten Hag has reportedly drawn up a three-man striker shortlist of potential Cristiano Ronaldo successors and it includes Bayer Leverkusen star Patrik Schick.

Ten Hag is fed up of the Ronaldo saga and seemingly wants Manchester United to part ways with the club legend.

Recent reports claim Ronaldo can save his relationship with Ten Hag, and in turn his Man Utd career, by showing ‘genuine contrition’ for his actions against Tottenham. The Portuguese left the subs bench and headed down the tunnel before the final whistle at Old Trafford.

But Ronaldo is unlikely to apologise for his actions as he feels he should be in Ten Hag’s starting lineup. This sets up the possibility of him leaving Man Utd in the January transfer window.

The Red Devils have been linked with Brentford man Ivan Toney and Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix as striker replacements.

While Toney could still be in their sights, it seems Ten Hag is moving the club away from signing Felix. According to the Daily Mirror, the manager wants a more traditional number nine, rather than a smaller forward like Felix who can play in several different attacking roles.

Perhaps Ten Hag has been wowed by the success of Erling Haaland at Manchester City and wants his own towering goal machine.

With this in mind, Ten Hag has created a list of three goalscorers, headed by Leverkusen’s Schick. The 26-year-old announced himself on the world stage by scoring five times at Euro 2020 for the Czech Republic. This saw him finish as the joint top scorer at the tournament along with the man he could be replacing at Man Utd, Ronaldo.

Schick continued that brilliant form by hitting 24 goals in just 27 matches in the Bundesliga last term. Only Robert Lewandowski found the net more often than him in the competition.

Man Utd prefer traditional number nine to Felix

The former Roma and RB Leipzig player is struggling to replicate that success this season and is only on three goals so far. Nevertheless, he is wanted by Ten Hag at Man Utd as his exploits from last season speak for itself.

Standing at 6ft 3in, Schick is an imposing striker who would cause Premier League defenders plenty of problems, just like Ronaldo. It is clear to see how he provides a different threat to the smaller and tricker Felix.

It will not be easy or cheap for Man Utd to land Schick, though. He penned a long-term contract with Leverkusen in May, which runs until 2027.

And Leverkusen proved they do not sell their top stars on the cheap by forcing Chelsea to pay £71m for Kai Havertz in September 2020.

Ten Hag does have alternatives, should Schick prove too difficult to sign. The first is Jonathan David of Lille.

He is arguably in the form of his life, having notched nine goals and three assists in 12 games this season.

David was recently named on Graham Potter’s wish list at Chelsea. Due to this, Man Utd may have to fight Chelsea for him.

The third striker option for the Red Devils is Lyon’s Moussa Dembele. His contract expires at the end of the campaign and as such he could be the cheapest of the potential targets.

DOUBLE UPDATE ON HARRY KANE FUTURE

Tottenham striker Harry Kane

Tottenham are apparently ‘confident’ about tying Harry Kane down to a new contract, while his prime suitors have dropped their interest for January.

Tottenham are working hard behind the scenes to sort Kane’s renewal. His current deal runs until 2024.

Bayern Munich have been keeping a keen eye on the situation. Reports suggest they want to take Kane to the Allianz Arena to become Lewandowski’s replacement, with Sadio Mane not fitting the right profile.

But a switch to Germany this winter is unlikely. As per journalist Christian Falk, Bayern will not be making any new signings in the January window.

This gives Spurs more time to organise Kane’s new contract. And the fresh terms could be on their way as 90Min state Spurs are ‘confident’ about their talisman agreeing to the deal.

They don’t think an agreement is likely this year. However, they expect one to be sorted in early 2023, which would put an end to the transfer links.

Senior Spurs chiefs want Kane to set an example by pledging his long-term future to the club. This may see his manager Antonio Conte follow, as well as a few of Kane’s team-mates.

Eric Dier, Hugo Lloris and Lucas Moura are just some of the players with contracts running out at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

CHELSEA PLOT LOAN EXIT

Chicago Fire goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina

Chelsea are exploring the possibility of loaning young goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina out and reportedly have several options.

They spent £12m to sign Slonina from MLS franchise Chicago Fire in August. The American has been loaned back to Chicago Fire until the end of the year.

He will soon move to Chelsea, though Potter is unlikely to provide much game time. As such, Slonina will be loaned out once again during the winter transfer window.

Chelsea could allow him to go back to Chicago Fire for another campaign in MLS. But they are also looking at loan options in Europe, as per the Evening Standard.

And the options don’t end there. The report states Championship clubs are interested in Slonina too, setting up a loan race for his services.

Slonina is only 18 years old, so it’s understandable that he will spend the next few seasons away from Stamford Bridge.

He would struggle to get into the first team ahead of Kepa Arrizabalaga or Edouard Mendy.

Chelsea coaches rate Slonina highly though and believe he will become an important player in the future. Chairman Todd Boehly wants to improve the youth options of the side, and not just bring in immediate success.

This explains the arrivals of exciting youngsters Slonina, Carney Chuckwuemeka and Cesare Casadei.

Meanwhile, Man Utd and Tottenham have found out the likelihood of signing a Serie A forward following his recent comments.