Ten Hag greenlights Man Utd transfer rampage with £100m race blown wide open and new offer submitted for priority target

Manchester United have emphatically entered the race for one of the most sought-after players of the summer transfer window, while also launching a new bid for a star Erik ten Hag is desperate to have at Old Trafford.

Man Utd were hoping to make South Korea centre-back Kim Min-jae their first signing of the summer. Reports claimed the transfer to be a ‘done deal’ between Man Utd and Napoli.

However, Bayern have ruined their plans. The German champions are close to landing Kim after agreeing a five-year contract with him.

Instead, Man Utd could now sign one of Gleison Bremer, Axel Disasi or Jean-Clair Todibo to bolster their defensive ranks.

The Red Devils are also eager to improve their midfield options and Ten Hag has landed on Chelsea star Mason Mount as his preferred target.

Man Utd opened the bidding for Mount at £40m, which was immediately rejected by Mauricio Pochettino’s side. Chelsea ideally want between £70-75m for their academy graduate, while Man Utd have decided they will only go as far as £55-60m.

READ MORE – Euro Paper Talk: Man Utd swat Chelsea aside as Ten Hag ‘agrees deal’ for outstanding Inter star

As soon as Man Utd’s opening gambit for Mount was pushed back, they were tipped to return with an improved proposal. And that has now arrived, as per David Ornstein of The Athletic.

They have offered Chelsea an initial £45m fee, plus £5m in add-ons. Chelsea have countered by saying they will now accept a reduced sum of £60m, plus £5m in add-ons.

Man Utd eye two England stars 

Ornstein adds that Chelsea are attempting to find a resolution with Man Utd as they know the England international wants to make the move. There is not yet an agreement in place, although the two parties are ‘getting closer’ to one.

Mount is not the only big-name Premier League player Man Utd are interested in. As per a bombshell report from The Telegraph, they are also preparing to enter the chase for West Ham skipper Declan Rice.

The 24-year-old has been the subject of two bids from Arsenal, which came in at £80m and £90m respectively. West Ham have told Arsenal Rice will only be moving if their £100m valuation is met. As a result, the Gunners are now thought to be preparing a third offer which could get very close to the £100m mark.

However, Arsenal might miss out on Rice as Man Utd are plotting an incredible transfer hijack. Man Utd are planning to send West Ham a player-plus-cash offer that could include either Harry Maguire or Scott McTominay.

Man Utd know West Ham are interested in both Maguire and McTominay. David Moyes is said to be a ‘huge admirer’ of Maguire, while McTominay could arrive at the London Stadium as a direct replacement for Rice.

The Telegraph explain that McTominay is more likely to be involved in the player-plus-cash deal than Maguire. This is because Maguire’s wage demands may prevent West Ham from reaching an agreement on personal terms with him.

It must be noted that Manchester City also remain in the frame for the Europa Conference League winner. And the huge finances at Pep Guardiola’s disposal means they could ‘blow their rivals out of the water’ at any time.

As things stand, Arsenal are the frontrunners to sign Rice as they are close to meeting West Ham’s demands and the player is also keen on joining them.

Although, Man Utd and Man City are lurking and may end up ruining Mikel Arteta’s plans.

Meanwhile, TEAMtalk has been told a Man Utd flop is being urged by his agent to consider a shock move to Italy amid interest from three Serie A clubs.