Transfer Gossip: Ten Hag foiled as Man Utd door is slammed shut on cheap Frenkie de Jong alternative; Chelsea plan shock swoop for controversial former Arsenal striker

Manchester United have missed out on a deal for Renato Sanches, with the player reportedly their Plan B option to Frenkie de Jong, Chelsea are considering a controversial move for a former Arsenal striker, while Thursday’s Transfer Gossip claims Newcastle have two targets in the event they miss out on James Maddison.

DE JONG ALTERNATIVE RENATO SANCHES HEADING ELSEWHERE

Manchester United face more transfer diappointment with the door closing on another major transfer target.

United boss Erik ten Hag has still only made three new signings with their campaign kicking off this Sunday against Brighton. And while Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen will all help improve the side, a lack of a new holding midfield signing remains a major concern.

Indeed, Ten Hag has spent the best part of three months chasing a deal for Frenkie de Jong. Securing that signing though has been far tougher than anyone ever imaged. United, though, still hang in there, despite claims the player favours a move to Chelsea for two reasons.

With hopes of signing the Dutchman seemingly fading, United are being forced to consider other options. However, they have now seen the door on one of those possible alternatives slammed firmly shut.

As per the Daily Express, United were also looking at a possible move for Lille’s Renato Sanches.

They claim the Portuguese star was being considered as a back-up option for Ten Hag if the De Jong bid failed. However, the former Swansea loanee is now closing on a move to PSG for a cut-price £12.6m.

That’s a fraction of the cost United are looking to sign De Jong for.

And the news further dwindles the transfer options for Ten Hag.

Three transfer options remain for Man Utd

However, all is not lost for Ten Hag and Manchester United.

As per Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth, United had been ‘keeping alternative targets warm’, including Renato Sanches and Wolves’ Ruben Neves, in case things didn’t work out with De Jong.

And they could yet launch a move for Wolves star Neves, despite Wolves seemingly seeking a £75m fee.

However, with two years left on his deal, Wolves look vulnerable to his departure. Wolves technical director Scott Sellars admitted earlier this year that the club were expecting bids to come in for the Portugal star.

Could a potential Frenkie De Jong transfer hold the key to Manchester United's centre-back partnership this season?

Would missing out on the signing of Frenkie de Jong for Manchester United mean a different centre-back partnership will be formed than the one Erik ten Hag wants judging from pre-season?

United may also look to move for Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. Regarded as one of the best box-to-box midfielders in world football, he can reportedly leave Lazio this summer for a fee of around £60m.

A third option remains Leicester’s Youri Tielemans. With just a year left on his deal, he is likely to leave the Foxes for a cut-price fee.

Arsenal, though, are seemingly ready to enter the bidding with a £25m offer, meaning United may need to act fast.

CHELSEA LOOKING AT SHOCK PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG SWOOP

New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is considering a move to sign former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, claims a report.

The former Gunners captain was allowed to join Barcelona in January after four years at the club. But his departure was shrouded in controversey with the player previously stripped of the captaincy and falling out with Mikel Arteta. And there were many who questioned the wisdom in Arsenal allowing their No 1 goalscorer leave the club.

However, depart he did, with Aubameyang signing a deal at Barcelona until summer 2025.

He has enjoyed a solid start in LaLiga too, scoring 13 times in 23 appearances for Blaugrana.

However, Barcelona have since signed Robert Lewandowski, which could deny him game-time.

And with Raphinha, Ousmane Dembele, Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati as attacking options, he could be squeezed out.

Now transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims Chelsea are considering a move for Aubameyang.

The buy-out in his deal sits at £83.75m (€100m), though Barcelona would likely sell for far less.

Given his four-year stint at Arsenal, a return to the Premier League with the Blues would raise eyebrows.

Aubameyang scored 92 goals in 163 appearances for the Gunners over four seasons.

NEWCASTLE KEEP TABS ON DUO IN CASE OF JAMES MADDISON FAILURE

Newcastle are considering two alternatives if their efforts to prise James Maddison from Leicester ultimately fail.

The Magpies are keen on the England cap, but have seen two offers worth £40m and £50m rejected for the player.

Leicester, though, are vulnerable to his exit and could cash in if they were receive an offer worth £60m. That would represent a transfer-record for the Magpies.

However, any deal looks tricky to pull off with Maddison seemingly preferring moves to two other clubs.

With that in mind, the Daily Star claims Newcastle are pondering two alternative options.

And top of their list of alternatives is Burnley’s Maxwel Cornet.

The Frenchman had a big impact at Turf Moor after arriving from Lyon. He scored nine times and added two assists from 28 appearances. However, despite his best efforts, he was unable to keep Burnley in the Premier League.

The Magpies are also reportedly looking at Chelsea forward Timo Werner. Although a very different player, Newcastle seemingly see him as someone who can score and create openings up front.

Werner has struggled since a £47.5m switch to Stamford Bridge two seasons ago and is seemingly up for sale this summer.