Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag could decide that Sunday’s 3-2 defeat by Premier League leaders Arsenal is proof that the Red Devils need more signings this month. United were a level behind the Gunners, despite the close scoreline, and Ten Hag might conclude that there must be further investment in the squad if the Old Trafford outfit are going to challenge for the league in his maiden season.
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United have been linked with several targets as the January transfer window enters its final seven days. A right-back could be on the agenda, especially after Aaron Wan-Bissaka struggled against Arsenal.
Attention could then turn to the summer. Ten Hag wants an elite forward to lead his line next term.
Harry Kane has been linked and after equalling the record for most Tottenham goals on Monday night, the England captain might decide he wants a fresh challenge. Victor Osimhen and Dusan Vlahovic are also reported targets. So, will we see any movement from the Red Devils today?
Follow Express Sport's live coverage of all of today’s Man Utd transfer news…
Erik ten Hag's Manchester United have been linked with Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane (Image: Getty)
Erik ten Hag has reiterated to Marcus Rashford that Manchester United is where his future should be, amid concerns over the England star's contract.
Rashford's current deal expires at the end of next season, as Ten Hag has addressed the situation and links to Paris Saint-Germain.
“I hope all our players are getting interest from other clubs because it means we’re doing a good job and the team is outperforming, so that is what we are aiming for,” Ten Hag said.
“Then I would say this is the best place to be because we want to construct the best team, first in England and then in Europe, and then in the world.
“Of course it’s confidential, the talks between clubs and players,” he began, in the second part of his pre-match press conference ahead of the Nottingham Forest game. I think he understands Man United is his club, that’s first, but also, in this environment, in this team, I think he is playing his best football.
“He’s improving and that’s about him because he’s working on the good things, he’s giving 100 per cent energy in it, he has a good plan and I think also, in this team, he can bring in his qualities."
Lisandro Martinez's agent has explained the reasons why he decided to turn down interest from others and move to Old Trafford in the summer.
There was reported interest from Arsenal for the Argentine centre-back, but Martinez opted to join his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag at United.
"[Martinez’s departure] was a process of several months," his agent Bas Schothorst told Voetbal Primeur. "We had contact with various top clubs and, in the end, Ten Hag’s presence at United played an important role. That makes sense.
"Ten Hag knows him, has worked with him [at Ajax] and knows what he can do with Martinez. It is of course great to see that this leads to his current achievements. On the other hand, Arsenal is also a great club. But you have to make a choice, it is difficult."
Lisandro Martinez's Manchester United transfer decision has been explained. (Image: Getty)
Manchester United icon Paul Scholes has taken to Instagram in an X-rated rant regarding the transfer window.
It is unknown who Scholes aimed his message at, but it likely involved someone who took offence to the business he has done at Salford City.
Scholes wrote: "Here we go again, managers and every other f***** blaming failure on recruitment... I don't see these people complaining when they sign the players, I see nothing but excitement at new players coming through the door.
"Just because you like them as players already it doesn't mean you don't have to improve them as footballers and people. PS... just covering my a*** if @salfordcityfc don't have a successful season!! Laters!!"
Fabrizio Romano has detailed the conversations that Manchester United held with Marco Reus' agents, as they were spotted at Old Trafford earlier this month.
United have been linked with the Borussia Dortmund icon as a budget option, as the German is out of contract at the end of the season and has also been mentioned with Cristiano Ronaldo's new club Al Nassr.
“I’m told it’s true that they had some conversations with the agents of Marco Reus. He’s one of the players they considered," Romano told The United Stand. "It’s true that they had some conversations, but at the same time, I’m told that at the moment, it’s not a negotiation.
“So Man United didn’t make any bid to Marco Reus, they are not in advanced talks to sign Marco Reus in the summer, so at the moment, it is still a quiet situation. It’s just a conversation and it’s absolutely normal for a top club like Man United to explore options, to speak to agents, to speak to players.”
Manchester United may have been rebuffed in their pursuit of Tottenham star Harry Kane, following his admission that contract talks will begin in the next few months.
However, Arsenal icon Paul Merson has urged the Red Devils to bid £100million for the England captain in the summer, as they need him to bridge the gap between themselves and Mikel Arteta's table-topping side.
"He's the best centre-forward in the world," Merson told Sky Sports. "If I’m Manchester United, I’m spending £100m on Kane tomorrow. They just paid £80m for Antony and he won’t score as many goals in 10 years as Kane would score in a season for Man Utd.
"If Man Utd want to be anywhere near winning a title, they need a Kane. Seeing them against Arsenal, they’re a long way off still."
Tottenham have been told to spend £100million on Harry Kane. (Image: Getty)
Manchester United have been told by former defender Wes Brown to step up their interest in Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic.
The Serbian striker is one of the Serie A side's stars that have been linked with a move away amid their precarious financial situation, though the 22-year-old would like cost around £70million if Erik ten Hag does want him to spearhead the United attack.
"I like Dusan Vlahovic. I've not seen much of him, but he's a young lad and I like young players," Brown told Casinos El Ligne.
"Obviously, they're not the finished article, but he's been doing well at Juventus and you can see he's going to turn out to be a really good player. United need reinforcements in that area and he's a very good young talent, I'm sure he'd be a very good addition at Old Trafford."
Wout Weghorst was chosen to replace Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United but despite starting both games since his arrival, he is yet to find the back of the net.
He is confident he will be able to get off the mark soon, however, and admitted to Algemeen Dagblad via Sport Witness that while he would like to remain at Old Trafford beyond his season-long loan, he knows that decision will have to be made by the club.
“In my career I have always done one thing: score goals," he said. "We’ve had two games now. If I start missing big chances, then I have to start worrying. But I’m confident I can do it and I’ll be fine.
“Of course [I want to stay at United], but first I have to make sure I can be of value to the team and this club.”
Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly gave his former agent Jorge Mendes an ultimatum as the Portuguese forward was on his way out of Old Trafford.
El Mundo have claimed that as the 37-year-old's relationship with the club broke down and he began seeking an exit, he told Mendes to move him to either Chelsea or Bayern Munich or for the agent to find another job.
However, neither club were willing to take the striker on and he eventually moved to Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr, where he recently made his debut in a 1-0 win over Ettifaq where Anderson Talisca scored the only goal of the game.
Manchester United owners the Glazers are reportedly leaning towards a full sale of the club, rather than a minority investment.
The Daily Mail have claimed that while the situation remains in the early stages, more formal steps could be taken within four weeks.
What impact a potential £8billion takeover has on transfer activity in both the January and summer windows remains to be seen, but new owners will be aware of Erik ten Hag's ambition to boost his squad in order to compete at the top of the table.
Manchester United may have suffered a blow in their pursuit of England World Cup star Jude Bellingham.
The Red Devils have had a long-standing interest in the 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund man, but appear to be behind the likes of Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester City in the race for his signature.
Sky Sports have claimed that those are the three clubs that Bellingham is targeting ahead of a summer move, with Jurgen Klopp's side "one of the favourites" to land the midfielder.
Man Utd have been urged to hijack Liverpool and Arsenal’s moves for Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice, respectively.
Stan Collymore believes the Red Devils need major upgrades in midfield, before pinpointing Bellingham and Rice as potential targets.
"I think United need two, maybe even three, top-quality midfielders in the summer. Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice are two that are probably going to be available," he told CaughtOffside.
"And if United, or any other club for that matter, could get those two in the same window – what a statement that would be. Those two would transform any side's midfield – they're that good."
Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo has played down speculation over a potential blockbuster switch to Man Utd or Chelsea.
Caicedo has settled into the Premier League seamlessly after making his debut less than a year ago.
The Ecuador international is the subject of interest from the top-flights big-hitters but is ‘focused’ on Brighton.
“I am focused on Brighton. I am here, I’m playing every day. Things from outside don’t trouble me, nor does it take that focus away because I’m focussed only on here,” the 21-year-old said.
“I handle [the speculation] well. You hear rumours here and there, but I only try to be focused on the club where I am now, the club which opened the doors for me to be playing every week.”
Man Utd target Harry Kane is ‘open’ to signing a new contract with Tottenham, according to reports.
Kane, who drew level with Jimmy Greaves’ Spurs record of 266 goals on Monday, has 18 months remaining on his deal with the north Londoners.
The striker has attempted to quit in the past and it was believed he might look for a fresh challenge in 2024, with United one of the clubs hunting his signature.
But The Athletic report that Kane is ‘open’ to extending his contract to cement his legendary status with the club. His priority remains trying to win a trophy with his boyhood club.
Harry Kane is open to remaining with Tottenham (Image: Getty)
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