Transfer Gossip: Man Utd to have monster bid accepted as Ten Hag nears summer signing No 1; Liverpool lead Arsenal in chase for £44m star

Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, image via MUFC TV

Erik ten Hag - image via MUFC TV

Manchester United are hopeful of landing their No 1 summer target after a huge development was revealed, Liverpool will usurp Arsenal in the race for a £44m-rated midfielder, while Monday’s Transfer Gossip claims a struggling Chelsea star will find salvation at Aston Villa.

TEN HAG TOLD NAPOLI WILL ACCEPT MAN UTD BID FOR VICTOR OSIMHEN

Manchester United are growing increasingly hopeful of securing the signing of Victor Osimhen this summer.

The Red Devils are very much in the market for a new star centre forward this summer and a number of names have been linked. And while Harry Kane, Goncalo Ramos and Dusan Vlahovic could all do a job for United, none are thought to be No 1 choice.

That honour reportedly befalls Napoli powerhouse Osimhen.

The Nigerian has blasted in 25 goals in 29 appearances this season in what is shaping up to be an incredible season for Napoli.

They are 19 points clear at the top of Serie A with their 33-year title wait on the brink of ending. Furthermore, wrapping up the title early means they can focus a lot of their energies into the Champions League.

And they will be favourites to reach the final after drawing AC Milan in the quarter-finals. They will then face the winners of Benfica and Inter Milan in the semi-finals.

As such, it has always been thought that convincing Napoli to sell Osimhen would be fraught with problems.

READ MORE ~ Man Utd striker chase exclusive: £74m Serie A attacker in the mix for United move but Ten Hag has three other names on his radar

Man Utd target Osimhen up for grabs

However, a new wave of thinking suggests Napoli are actually open to a deal.

And of their three prized assets, it seems they would rather cash in on Osimhen than they would Khvicha Kvaratskhelia or Kim min-Jae.

That’s according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, who claims Napoli will find it increasing tough to keep Osimhen this summer.

Furthermore, they claim an offer of over £87.5m (€100m) will severely tempt president Aurelio De Laurentiis to cash in.

Per the report, Osimhen earns £85,000 a week, including bonuses. Knowing he could earn more than double that at Old Trafford, there is a growing feeling too that the 24-year-old wants the move to Manchester United too.

Another name United are reportedly keen on is Randal Kolo Muani. But according to Sky Deutschland journalist Florian Plettenberg, Osimhen is the name rated as the club’s No 1 target.

“Manchester United really want him. We’re hearing that he’s also ranked higher than Kolo Muani internally,” he said.

READ MOREOsimhen responds directly to Man Utd transfer talk as Napoli chief teases Ten Hag with ballsy admission

LIVERPOOL FAVOURITES TO SIGN SERGEJ MILINKOVIC-SAVIC

Liverpool are stepping up their quest to sign Sergej Milinkovic-Savic this summer – and now appear favourites for his signature.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is desperate to bolster his midfield this summer and wants at least two new signings.

His No 1 target is England midfielder Jude Bellingham. And while the Reds appeared in the driving seat for his signing, serious doubts are emerging over the costs involved in his transfer.

READ MORE ~ Jude Bellingham: Liverpool ruled out of transfer race as Klopp told the ‘only place’ star will go

As a result, Liverpool are beginning to explore a number of viable alternatives. And the man fast emerging as a probably target is Lazio star Milinkovic-Savic.

The Lazio star has long been linked with a move to the Premier League, dating back to Jose Mourinho’s days at Manchester United.

Most recently it is Arsenal who appear to be at the front of the queue. And their hopes have been boosted amid claims Lazio will sell for just £44m (€50m) this summer with his deal expiring in 2024.

However, Sunday’s Transfer Gossip claims that has alerted Liverpool over his availability.

And now Calciomercatoweb claims the Serbian is Klopp’s new No 1 target this summer as a result.

He has six goals and eight assists to his name this season. And the 28-year-old is seen as perfect for Klopp’s style and a major upgrade on the wantaway Naby Keita.

As such, Liverpool are going all out to sign him and now lead Arsenal in the race. However, they will potentially require a top-four finish to get the deal done too, with Lazio currently second in Serie A.

VILLA CONSIDERING SHOCK MOVE FOR CHELSEA STRIKER

Chelsea could find a surprise buyer for Romelu Lukaku with reports now claiming Aston Villa are looking into his signing.

The Belgian has endured a miserable couple of seasons after leaving Inter for Chelsea. His £97.5m move was a club-record for the Blues – but he struggled to make a telling impact on former boss Thomas Tuchel.

As a result, Lukaku was allowed to return to Inter on a season’s loan. However, he has failed to recapture his best form after being beset by a string of niggling injuries.

To date, he has just five goals from 19 appearances this season.

Romelu Lukaku, Inter Milan striker

Now it seems Inter have turned their back on signing Lukaku on a permanent basis.

Sadly for the 29-year-old, he also has no future at Chelsea either, leaving the Blues with a serious dilemma.

However, according to reports in Spain, Lukaku may soon find salvation at Aston Villa.

Unai Emery is desperate to bring in a new centre forward this summer but is already finding the going tough. And without the offer of European football, Villa are finding it hard to attract some of their potential targets.

However, a move for Lukaku could prove the best option for all parties.

Chelsea, though, will not be able to sell for much. And reports claim they’ll take a minimum £50m hit on their initial £97.5m investment.

READ MORETottenham in pole position to sign Aston Villa star despite five rival offers, with Chelsea man also considered in shock twist