Euro Paper Talk: Ten Hag finds Bruno Fernandes replacement as Man Utd target incredible 15-goal playmaker; Liverpool star offered to two Euro giants by agent
Erik ten Hag has identified his perfect Bruno Fernandes successor at Manchester United and has sent scouts to watch the Eredivisie ace, the agent of a Liverpool player has offered him to two major clubs, while Monday’s Euro Paper Talk claims Chelsea are ‘determined’ to complete a major attacking transfer in the summer.
MAN UTD HUNT CODY GAKPO FAVOURITE
After losing out on Cody Gakpo to Liverpool, Man Utd could bring in their own PSV star by landing his former partner in crime Xavi Simons, according to reports.
Simons and Gakpo both enjoyed a brilliant first half of the season at PSV. They terrorised opposition defences to help PSV challenge Feyenoord, Ajax and AZ Alkmaar for the league title.
Unfortunately for Simons, he lost his attacking ally as Gakpo moved to Liverpool in a £45million deal during January. But Simons could now follow Gakpo to England by signing for Liverpool’s arch-rivals Man Utd.
According to Sports Mole, who cite reports emerging from Spain, Ten Hag has landed on Simons as a prime summer transfer target.
He has issued Man Utd scouts to watch the attacking midfielder in action on several occasions this season. And they have been left hugely impressed.
Simons, who is still only 19 years of age, has notched 15 goals and eight assists in 37 matches so far. That includes a goal and assist as PSV swept SC Cambuur aside with a 5-2 victory on Sunday.
Man Utd have kept tabs on Simons’ development and are now ready to make a move for him. And he could be the perfect successor to Fernandes in that central attacking midfield role.
Fernandes has been a brilliant performer for the Red Devils since joining the club in January 2020. But he was a very disappointing captain during the recent 7-0 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool.
Xavi Simons link comes after Bruno Fernandes criticism
Pundits called for Fernandes to never be Man Utd captain again in the aftermath of that game, while others suggested he should be dropped from the starting eleven.
The Portuguese redeemed himself somewhat by scoring in Man Utd’s next outing, which ended in a 4-1 win against Real Betis. However, Ten Hag will not have been impressed with Fernandes’ attitude during that Liverpool humiliation.
Simons would be an exceptional capture for Man Utd. He is already proving himself to be way too good for the Dutch top flight, despite his tender age. The amount of goals and assists he is putting up, as well as his huge influence on the way PSV attack, suggests he can become a world-class star in the future.
And Ten Hag can get the best out of him, too. They are compatriots, which is only going to help, while Ten Hag has proven with Marcus Rashford and Lisandro Martinez that he can take players to the next level.
The only concern when it comes to Man Utd landing Simons is that he could go to one of two other clubs instead. Newcastle are also scouting him, which sets up the possibility of him moving to St James’ Park. And then there is PSG.
The teenager spent time in the Barcelona and PSG academies before moving to the Netherlands on a free transfer last summer.
PSG apparently have a buy-back clause worth €10million (£8.8m) which means they can sign Simons on the cheap, should he decide to go back there.
Ultimately, the decision will rest with Simons as PSV will not stand in his way. He could opt to join Man Utd over PSG after previously being left unimpressed by the French giants’ refusal to play him regularly.
AGENT OF LIVERPOOL MAN WORKING ON ANFIELD EXIT
Naby Keita’s representative has offered him to Italian giants AC Milan and Inter Milan as rumours of a Liverpool departure gather pace. (Calciomercato)
Leeds, Aston Villa and Brighton are all hopeful of signing Lens centre-back Facundo Medina. (AS Roma Live)
Young Brazilian striker Vitor Roque has rejected Arsenal and is now poised to join Barcelona. (Sport)
Chelsea and Newcastle are both interested in bringing Raphinha back to the Premier League this summer. (Sport)
It is ‘inevitable’ Antonio Conte will leave Tottenham when his contract with the club expires at the end of the season. (Corriere dello Sport)
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has suggested he could have a second loan spell at PSV after a very impressive campaign in the Eredivise. (NOS)
Juventus have joined Tottenham, West Ham and Brighton in the race for Lecce skipper Morten Hjulmand. (Calciomercato)
CHELSEA EAGER TO LAND ATLETICO MADRID ACE
Chelsea are determined to sign loanee Joao Felix permanently from Atletico Madrid this summer and Todd Boehly is ready to begin discussions immediately. (various)
Milan and Inter are both pursuing Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun amid his brilliant loan campaign with Stade Reims. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Man Utd are following Sporting Lisbon centre-half Goncalo Inacio. Although, there are no concrete transfer talks right now. (Fabrizio Romano)
Carlo Ancelotti could be sacked as Real Madrid boss if Liverpool manage to pull off a shock and overturn their three-goal deficit in the Champions League. (Mundo Deportivo)
A Real official travelled to Dortmund last week to meet with Liverpool target Jude Bellingham and his family. (Diario AS)
Diego Llorente’s Roma loan has gone from bad to worse after he picked up an injury during the 2-0 Europa League win over Real Sociedad on Thursday. (Football Italia)
ARSENAL PRAISED FOR ‘SMART’ JANUARY MOVE
Arsenal have been lauded for the ‘smart’ winter signing of Leandro Trossard after missing out on Mykhaylo Mudryk to Chelsea. (Fabrizio Romano)
Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic will try to leave Stamford Bridge later this year and has already offered himself to Milan. (Pianeta Milan)
Ilkay Gundogan will not be called up by Germany boss Hansi Flick for the upcoming matches against Peru and Belgium. However, this is because the City star will be allowed to spend time with his new baby, which is soon due to be born. (Sky Sport Germany)
Gundogan’s City team-mate Julian Alvarez has approved a new contract offer from Pep Guardiola’s side. It is due to be signed later this week. (Fabrizio Romano)
Lazio will try to snare Club Brugge striker Ferran Jutgla before Arsenal and Leeds. (Calciomercato)
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