Euro Paper Talk: Man Utd talks over incredible €110m double deal with striker and midfielder to sign; Newcastle blitz into lead for €150m attacker

Manuel Ugarte, Sporting Lisbon midfielder, during a Champions League press conference

Manchester United are holding talks over a striker deal and also plan to beat Chelsea to a Uruguay midfielder, Newcastle are being linked with a British record move for an African star, while Thursday’s Euro Paper Talk claims Arsenal are pushing strongly for a France U21 forward.

TEN HAG HOLD MAN UTD TRANSFER TALKS WITH RASMUS HOJLUND

Erik ten Hag has reportedly held a series of video calls with Rasmus Hojlund over a summer move to Manchester United.

The Denmark striker has enjoyed an excellent debut season with Atalanta in Serie A, scoring 15 times in 41 appearances. Just 20, he is viewed by many as one of the game’s next big-name strikers, drawing comparisons with Erling Haaland.

And with United keen to bring in a new striker option this summer, it seems Hojlund is fast emerging as a serious target.

To that end, United are very much keen on either Harry Kane or Victor Osimhem as options.

However, deals for both men will prove extremely tricky. Osimhen is rated at a staggering €150m by Napoli – beyond United’s price range. Kane, meanwhile, will simply not come into the equation for United with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy unwilling to sell.

And while Real Madrid are an option to sign the England skipper this summer, Kane could refuse to sign an extension at Spurs with a free-transfer exit next summer a strong possibility.

As such, a deal for Hojlund certainly makes a lot of sense now. Rated at €50m by Atalanta, there is a belief they are willing to sanction his sale.

And according to the Manchester Evening News, the SEG International agency that represents Ten Hag say United are also trying to bring in Hojlund.

As a result, talks have been held between the pair, with SEG International looking to facilitate the transfer.

United are seemingly not messing around this summer with a classy midfield star now also on Ten Hag’s radar.

Man Utd want Manuel Ugarte to join Rasmus Hojlund

And according to surprise reports in Portugal, United are now ready to go all out for the signing of Manuel Ugarte too.

The Sporting Lisbon star has enjoyed an exceptional season, with some stand-out displays in the Champions League.

And with a €60m clause in his deal, it seems the Portuguese side are powerless to prevent his exit this summer.

He has been recommended by Mauricio Pochettino as a first signing of his Chelsea reign. Indeed, reports recently stated the Blues were willing to pay a premium on top of his exit clause to tie down the 22-year-old.

However, A Bola insist United are now very much on the scene for the defensive midfielder.

They claim Ten Hag likes what he sees in the player; very much viewing Ugarte as a major player of the future.

Furthermore, Ugarte himself is reportedly ‘pleased’ at United’s interest in his services. And their presence in the Champions League gives them a significant edge over Chelsea in the race.

Discussing how targets are more open to United than this time last year, Ten Hag reckons says top players are now ‘keen’.

“I see a big difference in comparison with last year,” Ten Hag said last month. “There were a lot of reservations last year when I spoke with players and now many players see the project, what’s going on, the dynamic and the ambition in this project, the quality especially. They are really keen to come, I’ve noticed that.

“It looks like there were a lot of reservations last year, a lot of doubts when we approached players. This year, many quality players really want to come.”

READ MOREUCL club close to signing Man Utd star, as Fabrizio Romano confirms Ten Hag replacement plan

NEWCASTLE BLITZ INTO CONTENTION FOR VICTOR OSIMHEN TRANSFER

Newcastle are sensationally in the race to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen after holding talks with the agent. Napoli’s €150m valuation does look problematic for the Magpies, however. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Jorge Mendes is pushing Ansu Fati to leave Barcelona for Wolves, though the Blaugrana’s €60m valuation looks difficult. (Sport)

Marco Asensio is ready to sign for PSG following a dramatic 11th-hour change of mind on a move to Aston Villa. (AS)

Tottenham star Ivan Perisic ‘regrets’ moving to Tottenham and is pushing for a return to Inter Milan this summer. (Tuttosport)

Juventus are emerging as favourites to sign Christian Pulisic following claims Chelsea are willing to sell for just £20m (€23m). (ESPN)

Jules Kounde is adamant he wants to stay at Barcelona this summer, despite reports claiming he is on Liverpool’s radar. (Sport)

Newcastle are the ‘best-placed’ side to sign Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga in a €35m (£30m) deal this summer. (Marca)

LIVERPOOL READY TO SIGN MICKY VAN DE VEN

Liverpool are in pole position to sign Wolfsburg defender Micky van de Ven thanks to the presence of Jorg Schmadtke. (Waz Online)

Burnley are chasing a club-record €25m (£21.5m) deal to sign Fabian Ruiz from PSG this summer. (Foot Mercato)

Daichi Kamada will undergo a medical at AC Milan next week after reaching agreement on a four-year deal worth €3m a season. (Gianluca Di Marzio)

Chris Smalling is ready to commit to a new two-year deal at Roma despite the disappointment of Wednesday’s Europa League final defeat. (DAZN)

Lionel Messi looks increasingly likely to sign for Saudi side Al Hilal following claims a return to Barcelona is no longer an option. (Guillem Balague)

Real Madrid’s veteran star Luka Modric is the next big name targeted by Saudi Arabian clubs amid claims a €120m three-year package is on the table. (OK Diario)

Tottenham are deciding against the permanent signing of Arnaut Danjuma – but will push through with a €32m (£27m) deal to sign Dejan Kulusevski. (Fabrizio Romano)

ARSENAL PUSHING FOR ELYE WAHI TRANSFER

Arsenal are pushing strongly to sign Montpellier striker Elye Wahi, though it may take as much as €35m to sign him. (various)

Elye-Wahi-Montpellier

Nottingham Forest remain keen to sign Renan Lodi on a permanent deal but are struggling to meet the €30m valuation. (Marca)

Ruben Loftus-Cheek is on the brink of a move to AC Milan having agreed personal terms over a €15m move from Chelsea. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Real Madrid are willing to promote Castilla defender Rafa Marin into their first team as Nacho Fernandez’s replacement. (Marca)

Atletico Madrid will agree a new deal with Alvaro Morata – but Joao Felix will likely be sold to the highest bidder. (AS)

Kalidou Koulibaly is up for sale at Chelsea and following claims a return to Italy is on the cards. (various)

Liverpool have reached a ‘full agreement’ to sign Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton – and are now turning their focus towards Nice’s Khephren Thuram. (L’Equipe)