26 Mar 2024 11:28:56
Morning Ed.
Hojlund looks the real deal and I'm interested to see who the club look to bring in this Summer to provide healthy competition for him.
Who are the club considering in this position?
Thanks as always.
{Ed002's Note - If Greenwood and Rashford go then the club will look to an addition. The problem will be persuading someone to join who may be second choice.
Jonathan David (S/AM) Lille, like many French clubs were hit hard by the loss of broadcast revenue and will need to sell some of their more valuable assets even though they do not want to. Jonathan David is valued by Lille at an unrealistic €50M but moving in to the last year of his contract will need to accept perhaps 30M. Napoli and Spurs no longer see him as a possible addition. Real Madrid have previously declared an interest but their focus has turned away as they wanted to include a player in any deal. He has been recommended to Chelsea by an ex player but they have a preferred targets. The Manchester United coach tried to take him to Ajax and could potentially look to taking him to Manchester United - and I would not discount them even if ten Hag departs. Aston Villa or Milan may offer a viable solution.
Joshua Zirkzee (S) Manchester United had a third-party scout watch him in a game against Roma in December. Milan has declared an interest knowing Giroud is coming to the end of his contract but don't know if Zirkee will match his goal tally. Bayern Munich have an option to buy the player back but will likely not be interested in following up on it. Napoli offer an option when Osimhen moves. Milan will be favourites as they want Sesko and Zirkee. Player will not move to become cover or second choice so would need persuading to join Manchester United.
Victor Osimhen (S) Napoli made it clear to Chelsea who enquired in 2021 that even €100M would not buy the player - but they do maintain an interest and he has been first choice and expect an offer to be made in the summer - they have already assured Napoli that they will pay his release clause in full. Al Hilal may well have offered Napoli the huge fee they were looking for, but that may not suit the player just yet. Real Madrid could look to him as an option but Madrid would want to offer players in exchange. He has signed a new contract and, at the behest of his agent, included a release clause. Arsenal have a preferred option and see the price as too high. PSG have him on a list of potential Mbappe replacements - but perhaps not top. If Manchester City were to lose Haarland, he would be an option. Manchester United may offer a wildcard option but the change of staff could end any interest. There is a suggestion that Liverpool have negotiated directly with the player and his agent and not spoken to Napoli. Given Napoli registered a complaint against Liverpool over another player last year, it would seem unlikely, or particularly stupid. In the players hands next summer - may decide to stay but there will be a return from Michael Emanalo with a very good offer but I understand that Chelsea have already informed Napoli that they will pay his €130M release clause in full in the summer - but they have not had a positive response from the player - perhaps because of the lack of Champions League football. Chelsea are already looking at options but could make a take-it-or-leave-it offer below his release clause with discussions over two other players going on between the clubs.
Benjamin Sesko (S/F) RBL could be offered a quick profit. His agent has not stopped offering the player around since his move to RBL. Described by a well known ex-Premier League player and high-end scout as "raw but improving". Was on the list for Spurs as a potential Kane replacement and Newcastle enquired. Chelsea spoke with his agent but have preferred options. Milan offer an option as a potential Giroud replacement. A wildcard may be either Manchester United or Arsenal. Milan will be favourites as they want Sesko and Zirkee.Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (F) Manchester United asked for a loan of the player from Bayern Munich in January. I have no idea why.
Viktor Gyokeres (S) After only joining in the summer Sporting have no interest in selling but fear a club could simply pay his €100M buy out clause in full and try to persuade him to move. Sporting fear Chelasea may do that and have avoided the subject during discussions over another player and a separate issue. He has attracted scouts representing Manchester United and Arsenal with Arsenal seeing him as an option to Toney. Sporting are looking to a new contract and an increase in his buy-out clause.
Brian Brobbey (S) Everton interest remains but so does their financial plight. Eric ten Hag has a remaining interest but I doubt that position is supported by the club. Ajax will not want to sell.
Thalys (S) Discussed with Chelsea during negotiations over another player. Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City and Manchester United have all sent scouts with Manchester United and Benfica both declaring an interest with Palmeriras.}
26 Mar 2024 12:27:57
Ed, a few questions if you don't mind, do you think there is any chance that Greenwood will return to MU? and is there any interest in Rashford?
Thanks.
{Ed002's Note - Anthony Martial (W/F) Has to go but there little clear interest. Juventus had an interest but he would not be first choice now. Out of contract in the Summer with Fenerbahce keen to take a chance, else it will be the Middle East or a new contract.
Mason Greenwood (F) Time to move on - offered to Marseille and Atalanta. Turkey or the Middle East might provide permanent options. Atletico Madrid or Real Sociedad may offer an option but the fee will be too high for Getafe to buy but they will try to find a creative solution or another loan. He is on the list of Michael Emenalo, but that may not suit the player,
Marcus Rashford (LW/F) Much will depend on what happens in the summer regarding a new coach, but I am sure Manchester United will be regretting the new long-term contract. A third-party has spoken to clubs, including Juventus and Arsenal about him on behalf of Manchester United,but I am not aware of any serious interest. Suggestion that he could be a Mbappe replacement at PSG seem far-fetched given they have other clear targets in mind.}
26 Mar 2024 12:51:16
Ed, if you don’t mind do you think we will be able to sell greenwood? Seen a few reports saying clubs are being put off the fee we are demanding.
Obviously it sounded like Ratcliffe was leaving the door slightly open for him to return- but likely to try and protect some value if possible imo.
{Ed002's Note - Manchester United are being unrealistic in what they have quoted Getafe for Greenwood. They will need to reduce their demands considerably.}
26 Mar 2024 13:11:24
Sorry Ed,
Just seen the updated response on Mg.
26 Mar 2024 13:16:04
Brilliant summary Ed002 thank you for your time.
{Ed002's Note - You are welcome.}
26 Mar 2024 13:39:15
I don't think Hojlund can be considered a clear first choice, nor that anyone who comes in will be merely playing second-fiddle to him. They'd probably end up playing pretty much the same across a season I'd expect, where both will go in and out of form and be injured etc.
26 Mar 2024 14:18:26
Thanks Ed.
26 Mar 2024 14:28:58
I know Rashford is not flavour of the month but would be concerned if we sold him leaving only Hojlund and Garnacho as the only players who have shown themselves as having the capability of playing premier league football and that's only been for half a season really lol.
The idea that just because we have new owners, our recruitment of replacements for the current squad is suddenly going to be successful is a huge leap of faith.
26 Mar 2024 15:15:26
Huge thanks Ed as always.