Transfer Gossip: Qatari regime to gift Man Utd two of world’s elite stars; Aston Villa to re-sign former favourite in club-record deal

The prospective new Sheikh owner of Manchester United plans to sign two major stars, Aston Villa are ready to break their transfer record to bring back a former star, while Saturday’s Transfer Gossip claims Chelsea are ready to meet the £80m price to sign up a No 10.

MAN UTD WANT JUDE BELLINGHAM AND VICTOR OSIMHEN

A Qatari Sheikh looking to buy Manchester United wants to boost Erik ten Hag’s squad with at least two major signings this summer.

The Glazers’ reign appears to be in the closing weeks of its ownership after they invited bids for their sale. And with a 10pm soft deadline for bids to come in on Friday, it has now emerged that two serious candidates are vying for control.

Firstly, Britain’s second-richest man, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, wants to buy the club. The Ineos founder is a boyhood United fan. And he is vowing to put the ‘Manchester’ back into Manchester United after years of foreign ownership. Backed with serious funds, many United supporters would see him as the preferred bidder.

However, his plans come in for some serious competition from Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani. The chairman of Qatari bank QIB, he is the son of a former Prime Minister. He was also seen regularly at the Qatar World Cup mixing with celebrities, such as David Beckham.

But it is his vast wealth that brings the most intrigue. Part of the ruling royal family who have a collective net worth estimated to be at around £280bn, there is no doubting such a takeover would prove hugely controversial.

There have already been suggestions at the type of players Manchester United will go for.

However, Sky Sports claims that links to the likes of Neymar, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe are wide of the mark.

MESSI, NEYMAR, MBAPPE WILL NOT BE TARGETED BY MAN UTD

The PSG superstars already play under Qatari ownership in QSI and a move to Old Trafford will not be sanctioned any time soon.

The PSG trio are regularly in the news amid doubts over their futures.

Messi is out of contract this summer, while Neymar has this week been strongly linked with Chelsea.

Mbappe is rarely far away from the gossip columns and has already been mentioned as a possible target for Man Utd.

However, the Sheikh does have other targets in mind and both Jude Bellingham and Victor Osimhen will be major targets this summer.

The pair would each cost well over £100m each – but the money is unlikely to be a stumbling block for Al Thani.

Bellingham is regarded as one of the world’s elite midfielders, despite being just 19. The race for his signature is seemingly being led by Liverpool. But United’s new-found wealth, together with a likely return to the Champions League, now makes them serious contenders.

Their interest in acquiring a new frontline striker is well documented. Wout Weghorst has arrived on a temporary basis until the end of the season.

But down the line Manchester United want a new big-name star to lead the line.

And with  47 goals in 85 games for Napoli, it is Osimhen who is emerging as their top choice.

Napoli will try and resist his sale, and while Osimhen is happy where he is, United’s money will talk and convince Napoli into his sale.

And with those two in tandem, there will be real belief next season that United can win a first league title since 2013.

READ MORE ~ Exclusive: Osimhen to Man Utd hopes hinge on two factors with Harry Kane prospects fading fast

ASTON VILLA LOOKING TO RE-SIGN TAMMY ABRAHAM

Aston Villa are ready to make a huge push to bring Tammy Abraham back to the club this summer.

Unai Emery wants to bring a new regular source of goals to his attack after offloading Danny Ings last month. And while Colombian Jhon Duran has been added to the mix, the Villa boss wants another addition to compete alongside Ollie Watkins.

And according to 90min, Emery is stepping up plans to Abraham back to Aston Villa this summer.

Currently at Roma, the England striker was a huge success in his first season, scoring 27 goals in all competitions.

This season, though, has been a different story. Indeed, the 25-year-old has just seven goals in 30 games to his name so far.

As a result, Roma are reportedly willing to cash in and were actively looking to sell in January.

Now a summer return to Villa Park looks an increasing possibility.

He will command a fee in excess of £40m. And any deal will shatter the previous club record for Emi Buendia. They paid Norwich an intial £33m for the midfielder, with add-ons taking the deal nearer the £38m mark.

Any deal for Abraham will surpass that, however.

And the striker is reportedly open to a return to Villa, having served them so well on loan in the past. Indeed, during their promotion season in 2018/19, he scored 26 goals in 40 games for the club.

READ MORE: Villa planning to offer sensational Prem return to World Cup star in top goalscoring form

ATLETICO MADRID TELL CHELSEA PRICE FOR JOAO FELIX

Chelsea have been told that a deal for Joao Felix this summer will cost them £80m.

The Portuguese attacker is on loan at Stamford Bridge and looking to prove his worth after a difficult season.

Having fallen out with Diego Simeone at the Wanda Metropolitano, Felix was allowed to move overseas.

And while his loan to Stamford Bridge did not contain a permanent option, Atleti are now open to his sale.

Chelsea, too, are also open to the idea of making the move permanent.

Having been sent off on his debut, Felix has since returned to make a positive impression in the No 10 role for Chelsea. With one goal from three appearances so far, he’s been part of two improved displays from the Blues.

Now, according to the Standard, Atletico are informing Chelsea that any deal will set them back £80m this summer.

That is a little higher than initial expected, but a fee well within Chelsea’s reach nonetheless.

With Mason Mount seemingly on his way out, a move for Felix is seen as a very serious option for Chelsea.

READ MORE: Potter makes ‘complicated’ admission about Mason Mount’s Chelsea contract as Liverpool hover