Manchester United would have hoped to embark on their current pre-season tour in Asia with more than just one new signing, but the club remain hopeful of securing a few more before the start of the new season.
And one of them is expected to be Frenkie de Jong, although things have slowed down of late, but United have stepped up their chase of the Barcelona playmaker this week and Xavi is keen for his player’s situation to be resolved. Elsewhere, there is reported interest in a striker from both Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga.
Mirror Football takes a look at all the latest transfer stories coming out of Old Trafford…
Xavi sets De Jong deadline
Manchester United have taken the next steps in order to get a deal for Frenkie de Jong over the line, with club chiefs John Murtough and Richard Arnold flying out to Barcelona to speed up negotiations following a lack of urgency in the matter at hand.
De Jong remains Erik ten Hag’s top target this summer but has failed to get him to the club before the start of pre-season, as well as their pre-season tour to Asia, but now United have been handed a huge boost in their pursuit of the Dutchman.
According to Mundo Deportivo, via the Daily Mail, Barcelona boss Xavi wants the midfielder’s situation resolved before they fly out to America on July 16 for a two-week pre-season tour, following United’s claims that they are confident in completing a deal.
How long will it be before Man Utd finally wrap up a deal for Frenkie de Jong? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
United interested in Bundesliga striker
Erik ten Hag is keen on signing a new attacker this summer in order to improve his side’s goal threat, as well as taking the pressure off Cristiano Ronaldo, and as a result, Manchester United have been linked with signing Stuttgart striker Sasa Kalajdzic.
According to Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg, via The Peoples Person, the Red Devils have recently shown interest in the Austrian, who is the tallest player in the Bundesliga at 6ft 7in and recorded six goals and two assists in 15 games last season.
Plettenberg tweeted: He [Kalajdzic] is a candidate for Man Utd next to Brobbey from Leipzig. Talks with the management from Kalajdzic have taken place but no personal meeting so far. Manchester United is very interesting for him. Bayern and Dortmund are not in.”
Red Devils to revive Dembele interest
Manchester United are also looking to continue their striker search by rekindling their interest in Lyon forward Moussa Dembele, according to French outlet Media Foot, who say that the Red Devils are preparing to secretly ‘relaunch contacts’ for the striker.
With uncertainty remaining over Cristiano Ronaldo’s future, despite Erik ten Hag insisting he is in his plans for this season, United are considering other options and even if the 37-year-old does stay, Dembele would serve as a good back-up striker.
The 25-year-old has scored 67 goals in 144 appearances in all competitions for Lyon since joining the club from Celtic in 2018, which included 22 in 35 games last season. Dembele could be open to a return to England, having played for Fulham up until 2016.
