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Chelsea set astonishing asking price for Manchester United transfer target

Chelsea set astonishing asking price for Manchester United transfer target

Metro7 days ago
Chelsea have set an astonishing asking price for Nicolas Jackson who has emerged as a transfer target for Manchester United.
The Blues spent £32million on the Senegal international who joined the west London club from Villarreal two years ago.
Jackson has shown flashes of potential during two turbulent years at Stamford Bridge but has been let down by inconsistent finishing and a suspect temperament.
Sent off in a potentially decisive defeat against Newcastle at the end of last season, Jackson was again in hot water when he was dismissed in Chelsea Club World Cup defeat against Flamengo.
Jackson was used sparing thereafter and made only one subsequent appearance as a second half substitute against Fluminense.
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With Joao Pedro having made a sensational start to his Chelsea career and fellow summer recruit Liam Delap also an option, Jackson looks likely to fall down the pecking order should he stay and fight for his place.
With United's increasingly desperate search for a new centre forward intensifying, however, Chelsea have upped their valuation of a player who also has admirers at Liverpool.
According to Sky Sports, Chelsea will demand between £80m and £100m having taken note of the fee Liverpool are willing to pay for Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike.
The Red Devils, meanwhile, begun their pre-season campaign against Leeds United on Saturday having made just two significant additions to their squad.
Matheus Cunha's move from Wolves was wrapped up early in the window with the minimum of fuss, while it remains to be seen how prominently teenager Diego Leon will feature following his move from Cerro Porteno.
Ruben Amorim had hoped that Bryan Mbeumo's transfer would have been resolved by now, but Brentford's refusal to be railroaded into a sale has seen that saga drag on.
United are confident that a third bid, closer to the Bees valuation, will see the Cameroon forward join imminently, but United are still desperately short of attacking options. More Trending
Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have both been linked with returns to Serie A having failed to convince they are worthy of being regarded as United's main source of goals.
United had shown interest in Amorim's former Sporting Lisbon charge, Viktor Gyokeres, but the Sweden international has been steadfast in his determination to join the Gunners.
Amorim's club still maintain an interest in Benjamin Sesko but are unlikely to be able to match RB Leipzig's demands.
MORE: Man Utd set price for Barcelona to sign Marcus Rashford permanently
MORE: £12m Chelsea star agrees to transfer after just one Premier League start
MORE: RB Leipzig set new lower asking price for Chelsea and Arsenal transfer target Xavi Simons
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Man United transfer news: Benjamin Sesko, Ollie Watkins, Corentin Tolisso and more
Man United transfer news: Benjamin Sesko, Ollie Watkins, Corentin Tolisso and more

The Independent

time6 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Man United transfer news: Benjamin Sesko, Ollie Watkins, Corentin Tolisso and more

Manchester United face a crucial summer as Ruben Amorim finally gets the chance to shape his squad and transform his failing team into contenders at the top end of the table. It shouldn't be forgotten that Amorim initially rebuffed United's approach following the sacking of Erik ten Hag, and perhaps he was wise to try and delay the move, because what followed was a disastrous campaign cuminating in the 1-0 loss to Tottenham in the Europa League final. Now Amorim has a full preseason to prepare his side and a summer transfer window to mould his squad before a season without European football, and he must take full advantage. The release of the Premier League fixtures shows a difficult start for United, with an opening game agasint Arsenal and fixtures against Manchester City and Chelsea within their first five matches of 2025/26, and the manager's future could be called into question early should his side struggle. United got some early business done with the signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves in a £62.5m deal before completing a move for Brentford star Bryon Mbeumo, but co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made clear that the money pot is not deep. Offloading high-wage players such as Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho seems key to funding the revolution, with a lack of movement causing frustration among fans as United lag behind their rivals. Here's everything you need to know about Manchester United's summer transfer plans. Areas to improve Perhaps it is easier to try and identify some parts of the team that don't need improvement. Three players could genuinely claim to have had decent seasons – Bruno Fernandes, Noussair Mazraoui and Amad Diallo – while Harry Maguire, Casemiro and Diogo Dalot all did OK in spells, but that is about the extent of United's reliable performers last season. Now that Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo's arrival are secured, the top priorities are: sign a proven goalscoring striker, given the toils of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee up front; buy a goalkeeper to compete with (or outright replace) the error-prone Andre Onana; recruit a wing-back who can excel in Amorim's system. Done deals Ins: Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford, £70m), Matheus Cunha (Wolves, £62.5m agreed), Diego Leon (Cerro Porteno, undisclosed fee), Enzo Kana-Biyik (Le Havre, free transfer) Retained: Tom Heaton (signed new one-year deal after expiry of old contract) Outs: Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, loan), Enzo Kana-Biyik (Lausanne-Sport, loan), Daniel Gore (Rotherham, loan), Christian Eriksen (out of contract), Victor Lindelof (out of contract), Jonny Evans (out of contract) Potential targets Benjamin Sesko, RB Leipzig Man United have reportedly begun talks with RB Leipzig over a move for much-wanted frontman Benjamin Sesko. While Arsenal have cooled their interest in the Slovenian following the arrival of Viktor Gyokeres, Newcastle are also said to be keen on Sesko. With United in desperate need of a proven goalscorer, they could deem Sesko as the man to solve their woes. Corentin Tolisso, Lyon One of the latest rumours involving United sees them linked with Lyon midfielder Corentin Tolisso. The 31-year-old is coming off a decent season for the French side, and could be available for a cut-price fee due to the French side's financial troubles. Concrete links are yet to materialise, but he is thought to be available for £15m. Richard Rios, Palmeiras Another one with few concrete links, but reports in Brazil claim that United are interested in Palmeiras midfielder Richard Rios. United sent scouts to watch the Colombia international during the Club World Cup, with the Brazilian side hoping to start negotiations around the £30m mark, though Rios has already said yes to a proposal from AS Roma and could be heading to Serie A. Ollie Watkins, Aston Villa United's search for a striker continues and while Cunha and Mbeumo will be solid attacking options, there remains a desire to add a recognised number nine to the squad if possible. Watkins was the subject of interest from Arsenal in January but with the Gunners signing United target Gyokeres, the England international could be a valid, Premier League-proven attacking option. Villa would want at least £60m for Watkins, though links with Old Trafford have gone quiet after United wrapped up a move for Mbeumo.

Liverpool transfer news: Alexander Isak, Rodrygo, Jean-Philippe Mateta and more
Liverpool transfer news: Alexander Isak, Rodrygo, Jean-Philippe Mateta and more

The Independent

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Liverpool transfer news: Alexander Isak, Rodrygo, Jean-Philippe Mateta and more

Liverpool are bracing for a busy summer to build on this season's Premier League title success. Arne Slot orchestrated a stunning debut campaign at Anfield, inheriting a stacked squad from Jurgen Klopp before taking English football by storm to seal a record-equalling 20th top-flight crown for the club. Mohamed Salah was the posterboy of Slot's title winners, with an eye-watering 46 goal contributions in 37 games taking the Reds out of reach at the top of the table. However, it was in midfield where Liverpool surprised most, with Slot refining a midfield trio brought in by his predecessor and making each one of them an invaluable entity. His transformation of Ryan Gravenberch from a promising yet raw talent to a world-class defensive midfielder was most astounding. The summer months of 2024 hardly shaped the season that followed for Liverpool, and Slot has already proven that he doesn't require overwhelming transfer activity to be successful. 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Star Wrexham let go who wanted to stay makes statement that Ryan Reynolds will love
Star Wrexham let go who wanted to stay makes statement that Ryan Reynolds will love

Daily Mirror

time7 minutes ago

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Star Wrexham let go who wanted to stay makes statement that Ryan Reynolds will love

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