Transfer Gossip: New keeper target emerges for Man Utd despite massive Onana development; Arsenal slap £35m asking price on classy forward
Manchester United have a new goalkeeper target firmly on their radar who is earning rave reviews in MLS, while Arsenal are demanding £35million for a striker who will be completely surplus to requirements once the Kai Havertz deal is completed – all in Sunday’s Transfer Gossip.
MLS STOPPER EMERGES ON TEN HAG RADAR
Manchester United are reportedly monitoring young goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic after his impressive performances in MLS for New England Revolution.
The Serbia international has become a target for a number of Premier League sides and while the Manchester Evening News claims that United are one of them, no official contact has been made just yet.
The 23-year-old is currently under contract until 2025 and also has the option of a further year, having only signed for New England in April last year.
Petrovic came through the ranks at FK Cukaricki in his homeland and featured for the club in the Europa Conference League.
He joined New England as a replacement for Arsenal-bound Matt Turner – who joined the Gunners for £5.75m.
He has since gone on to earn a reputation as one of the best keepers in the MLS.
Petrovic has two caps for his country and this month became eligible for a work permit under the points system, an advantage for English clubs in dealing with recruitment rules.
The MEN adds that while the player is understood to be happy and settled in the States, he is also open to taking an opportunity at a top club if the project and pathway are right.
United closing in on Onana deal
Erik ten Hag remains on the hunt for a new No.1 as hopes of David de Gea extending his Old Trafford stay diminish.
It’s thought that Inter Milan stopper Andre Onana remains the main option to replace the Spaniard, with United said to be closing in on a deal for the Serie A star.
To that end, Petrovic is being considered to provide straight competition with Dean Henderson for the back-up spot, unless the England man secures another move away from Old Trafford – either on loan or permanently.
Petrovic kept seven clean sheets in 21 appearances last season and also saved four penalties. The 6ft 4ins stopper also won the MLS Save of the Year award and was second in the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year vote, behind Andre Blake.
So far this season he has six clean sheets in 17 matches helping New England into third place in the Eastern Conference.
GUNNERS TO DEMAND £35M FOR BALOGUN
Arsenal have reportedly slapped a £35million price tag on USA striker Folarin Balogun to try and get German side RB Leipzig to renew their interest.
The Bundesliga outfit were thought to be keen on the former England Under-21 star but are now looking at alternatives.
The 21-year-old also has interest from fellow Premier League clubs, however, with Crystal Palace known to be keen.
The price tag is currently too high for them though after Balogun excelled during his loan stint with Reims in France last season.
Italian giants AC Milan and Inter are also admirers of the young forward, whose emergence after switching international allegiance to the USA in May has been evident.
The New York-born starlet netted in just his second game for the USA, a 2-0 win over Canada to win the CONCACAF Nations League trophy.
Balogun is currently giving little away about his plans for next season, although he has ruled out another loan exit.
The forward may have little option to move on though, given that he is already behind Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah in the pecking order while the Gunners are also close to agreeing terms over a £65m swoop for Chelsea attacker Kai Havertz.
If and when that move is finalised it is sure to leave Balgun on the outside looking in. To that end, Arsenal cashing in on the player makes perfect sense, although whether they get the £35m they are craving remains to be seen.
SHEFF UTD WILLING TO OFFLOAD EVERTON STRIKER TARGET
Sheffield United will reluctantly listen to offers for star attacker Iliman Ndiaye this summer, according to reports on Sunday.
The Senegal international is out of contract in 12 months and is the subject of interest from several clubs in the Premier League and overseas, including Everton.
The 23-year-old was the subject of offers in January, but eventually chose to stay at Bramall Lane and help Sheffield United fight for promotion.
However, a sale is now being considered after Football Insider revealed that a well-placed Blades source has said the club are still “some way off” agreeing a new contract with the forward.
Ndiaye is in a similar position to outstanding midfielder Sander Berge, who is said to want out of Bramall Lane despite the club being back in the top flight.
The Blades have so far been left hamstrung in the summer window due to the ongoing takeover saga in south Yorkshire.
It’s believed that they will need to sell players first before being able to add new additions to Paul Heckingbottom’s squad.
And Ndiaye could well be sacrificed, if Everton follow up their January interest in the forward.
Newcastle and West Ham are also rumoured to have sent scouts to watch the forward in action during the 2022-23 campaign.
Ndiaye notched 15 goals and 12 assists in 52 games across all competitions last term as the Blades bounced back into the Premier League.