Man Utd warned £85m transfer would stall Mainoo’s development despite being an ‘upgrade’
After a poor first half of the season, which saw them exit the League Cup and Champions League, Erik ten Hag’s side seem to be getting it together ahead of the Premier League run-in.
Man Utd have won five of their last six matches in all competitions, moving up to sixth in the Premier League table and progressing to the FA Cup fifth round.
The form of young trio Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Mainoo has helped Ten Hag turn their fortunes around in recent weeks.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s deal to buy 25 per cent of Man Utd is on the verge of going through with the British billionaire set to appoint a new sporting director and overhaul the recruitment department.
Ten Hag’s future had been under scrutiny after a poor run of form in December but it seems likely that the Dutchman will hang onto his job with Ratcliffe looking to provide him the players he needs to take Man Utd back to the top of English football.
READ MORE: Man Utd avoid Branthwaite ‘tunnel vision’ through CB trio as Olise alternative sets own asking price
Rumours that Barcelona are now prepared to sell Frenkie de Jong in the summer has seen reports claiming Man Utd could revitalise their interest in the Netherlands international, who is apparently open to a move.
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And Silvestre has mixed thoughts about Man Utd potentially signing De Jong from Barcelona – who have put a €100m (£85m) asking price on his head – with the Dutchman likely to block Mainoo’s progress in the first team.
Silvestre told bettingexpert.com: “If a player like Frenkie de Jong is available, he should be considered. But again you look at Kobbie and we talked about Scott, and we have Casemiro here.
“Will de Jong be an upgrade? Of course. Ahead of Kobbie but if you want to continue developing Mainoo and give him the time, I don’t think de Jong should come in.
“If you qualify for the Champions League, then signing de Jong makes sense. You have to consider him for sure. He’s a top player but putting him in a midfield where the manager likes to play with two defensive midfielders, if you play with three, it could be a different proposition.
“So the answer is yes, do consider him.”
On Mainoo’s progress, Silvestre added: “He’s been impressive and hasn’t had a bad game, so for a young player it’s impressive.
“For a young player he’s consistent and he’s vital in midfield as he covers ground and sustains a high energy level. He’s able to press well and his passing ability is getting better and better. You can see his confidence is rising.
“The goal vs Wolves was a big boost but his general play has been very good. His link up play when building from the back has to be both safe and courageous. He’s doing it so I just hope it continues and he grows as a player and an individual into the team.
“He’s another academy graduate which shows the way for the next one in line. It’s just the beginning for him so we shouldn’t put too much pressure on him. Or extra expectations.
“He’s part of a strong squad with a World Cup winner and Champions League winners. There are experienced, established players so he needs to carry on the way he’s been playing and learn from the pros.
“He’s in a very good dynamic at the moment.”
Erik ten Hag decides on top Man Utd transfer target after Ruud van Nistelrooy endorsement
Manchester United have identified Jarrad Branthwaite as their primary summer transfer target following his impressive breakthrough at Everton.
Erik ten Hag is expected to be backed in the summer transfer window after the Red Devils failed to strengthen in January and it has already been outlined that the Dutchman has designs on overhauling his defensive options, with both Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans out of contract at the end of the season.
There are also doubts over the long-term future of Victor Lindelof, whose contract was extended by 12 months earlier in the campaign. He could still be sold, especially given United in the market for two young centre-backs.
That's according to a new report from The Mail, who claim that Branthwaite has emerged as United's top target. The highly-rated 21-year-old has enjoyed a fine season for Everton and is attracting interest from other top clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid.
While United also have other names in mind to bolster their defence, it's outlined in the report that Branthwaite is United's primary target. Tottenham, like United, are also pushing hard to sign the centre-back ahead of the summer window.
Branthwaite has already been given a glowing endorsement from United icon Ruud van Nistelrooy, who coached the youngster during his stint on loan at PSV Eindhoven.
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The former PSV head coach said of Branthwaite last year: "He is a great talent. The boy is young, but he has a future. He is good on the ball, can play on the left or the right of centre-back because he is two-footed. He has height and speed, so he is very complete."
Join the debate! Would Brantwaite be a good signing for Man Utd? Let us know here.
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As well as renovating their defence, United are also in the market for attacking reinforcements and Crystal Palace 's Michael Olise is a target.
Wolves wide-man Pedro Neto has also been touted as a possible signing according to the same report, although it should be noted that - like with Brantwaite - there is plenty of rival interest in the Portuguese star, who is also admired by Arsenal and Manchester City.
Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt, who previously worked with Ten Hag at Ajax, is also understood to be on Manchester United's radar and is seemingly surplus to requirements at the German champions.
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West Ham ‘likely to accept’ Man City bid for star as Romano reveals Moyes ‘new deal’ talks
The Hammers have been without the Brazilian since their 1-1 draw against Championship side Bristol City in the FA Cup on January 7 with David Moyes’ side failing to win a game in that time.
Their creativity has taken a serious hit with Paqueta’s injury and they could now lose the Brazil international for good with reports claiming Man City could be ready to renew their interest in him during the summer months.
Man City were pursuing a deal for West Ham’s Paqueta in August before the Football Association reportedly opened an investigation into the Brazilian over ‘potential betting breaches’.
West Ham had slapped a £110m price tag on his head with Man City having a £95m bid turned down by the Hammers before the deal collapsed.
And now Football Insider claims that West Ham are ‘likely to accept’ a Man City offer for Paqueta in the summer with the 26-year-old ‘still being tracked’ by the Citizens.
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Man City ‘are still keen to land the Brazil international in the upcoming summer window’ and the Hammers ‘are unlikely to resist an offer for the midfielder which meets their price tag’.
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Moyes’ future – which has ‘no bearing on keeping Paqueta at the club past this summer’ – has been at the centre of debate in recent weeks with the Scot’s contract up at the end of the season.
West Ham are winless in their last seven matches in all competitions with their 6-0 defeat at home to Arsenal over the weekend putting pressure on Moyes, who guided them to Europa Conference League glory last season.
Despite rumours that the ‘mood has changed’ at West Ham and that the Hammers board are now ‘looking at potential replacements’ for the Scot, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano insists “no final decision” has been made over his future.
Romano wrote in his Caught Offside column: “It’s still an open situation with regards to David Moyes staying at West Ham. Every week we seem to have 10 different reports; one day they’re saying a new deal is done and then the next day some are saying he’s leaving.
“The reality is that a new deal has been discussed but the situation is fluid and there’s still no final decision been made by both Moyes and the West Ham board.”
Man Utd strike ‘huge blow’ to Newcastle as they ‘prepare’ for ‘irritated’ Ashworth exit
Ratcliffe’s deal to buy a 25 per cent stake in the Red Devils has been granted Premier League approval with a statement confirming that the governing body had completed the owners’ and directors’ test.
It read: “The (Premier League) board agreed to the change of the club’s ownership structure last week, and this has now been officially ratified by an independent oversight panel,” a league statement read.
“The Premier League’s Owners’ Charter has also been signed.”
Man Utd and Ratcliffe are still awaiting Football Association approval before the British billionaire can go about making the changes he wants.
Ratcliffe has plans to overhaul the way Man Utd recruit players, pump funds into the infrastructure at the club and make sure success on the pitch is a priority.
READ MORE: Man Utd avoid Branthwaite ‘tunnel vision’ through CB trio as Olise alternative sets own asking price
One of the biggest initial changes Ratcliffe has in mind is the hiring of a new director of football with Newcastle’s Ashworth understood to be top of their list.
And the Daily Telegraph insist that Newcastle ‘are braced for the departure’ of Ashworth to Man Utd with the Red Devils ‘ready to offer him a similar role as part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Old Trafford revolution’.
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It is understood that ‘there has been no approach yet’ from Man Utd but that ‘senior figures at St James’ Park have been preparing themselves for the 52-year-old’s possible exit for several days, which would come as a huge blow to their ambitions to break up the so-called ‘Big Six’.’
The Daily Telegraph adds:
‘They will now seek urgent clarification from Ashworth regarding his intentions as Manchester United are thought to have made him their first-choice candidate.
‘Should Manchester United make an official approach to Newcastle it is understood they would have to pay a multi-million pound compensation settlement to extract Ashworth from his current contract.
‘He would also have to sit out a lengthy period of gardening leave, which is likely to prevent him starting work at Old Trafford until 2025.’
It is claimed that Ashworth has become ‘irritated by the constant chatter around him leaving for Man Utd, but that does not mean he could not be tempted to leave given the prestige of the job at Old Trafford’.
Chelsea star to lead summer exodus, with Boehly willing to accept cut-price fee for Blues academy graduate
The Blues look set to sell several players to ensure that they comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR), which are becoming increasingly important.
Everton have already been hit with a 10-point deduction for a breach and face a second charge, while Nottingham Forest have also been found guilty.
Maatsen is one player that Mauricio Pochettino is happy to part ways with. The defender was sent out on loan to Borussia Dortmund in January.
The Dutchman has already become a fan favourite at the German club, who are very interested in signing him on a permanent deal this summer.
Maatsen’s loan deal does not include an option to buy. However, he signed a new contract with Chelsea before he left, which includes a £35m release clause.
Now, a report has claimed that the Blues would be willing to accept less than that as Boehly tries to get him off the books.
READ MORE: Chelsea to stun Arsenal, Tottenham with blockbuster swoop for La Liga duo; £150m sales to unlock third top signing
Chelsea to sell Maatsen and others in the summer
According to transfer journalist Ben Jacobs, Chelsea would be willing to accept a £30m bid for Maatsen in the summer.
The left-back has made five appearances for Dortmund so far, contributing two assists in the process. If he keeps up his current form, plenty of clubs will be chasing his signature.Related video
As mentioned, though, he will not be the only player that Chelsea sell as they try and balance the books.
As exclusively revealed by TEAMtalk, some members of the Blues hierarchy believe Conor Gallagher should be sold, as he is an academy graduate and a pure profit asset.
Reports suggest that Tottenham have made Gallagher their top target for the summer as Ange Postecoglou aims to strengthen his midfield.
With that in mind, the England star could also be on the move.
Chelsea striker Armando Broja joined Fulham on loan last month and he is another who could be sold permanently at the end of the season.
His loan agreement doesn’t include an option to buy. The London club previously placed a £50m price tag on his head but would likely accept less in the summer.
As with Gallagher and Maatsen, Broja is a Chelsea academy graduate, so selling him would be beneficial for the Blues in terms of PSR.
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