04 Jun 2024 14:03:39
Hello Eds,
Can you kindly shed some light on these rumors.
Is Goncalo Inacio a main target for us and is he an alternative to Branthwaite or are both wanted.
After reports of a rejected bid for Joao Neves for a reported amount of 51mil, can Utd afford to bid higher considering financial constraints and the need for other signings? Or will someone like Hjulmand be considered instead of Neves?
Is Frankie de Jong one of the main names considered to replace Casemiro at utd?
{Ed002's Note - Goncalo Inacio (CB) Watched by scouts from a number of PL sides, including Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United, with each declaring an interest. Sporting will not be keen to do business with Liverpool although the club could potentially arrange to pay his full Release Clause in a single payment and force the situation if the player is interested - and that seems a strong possibility. The other sides to declare an interest are Newcastle and PSG, but PSG have a plan over another player but it is looking unlikely he will join - so Inacio might become the focus. Real Madrid offer a wildcard option. Sporting would rather not sell and are looking to a further new contract and an increased release clause. Newcastle have held talks with Sporting in order to be able to speak directly to the player and to understand if there is flexibility in the payment schedule – but there isn't. Arsenal interest would have departed with the signing of Timber although it has returned with the injury to Timber and impending departures. They are actively seeking talks with Sporting. The player has also been offered to Chelsea by his agent when discussing another player, but they have preferred options for a long-term Silva replacement although do have an interest in Inacio's CB partner Diomande. Arsenal have made a tentative offer that has been rejected. The player's agent has also said that Inacio is open to a move to Manchester United and they may push depending on departures, but he is not first choice.
Jarrad Branthwaite (CB) Everton want a new contract but Spurs, Manchester United and Newcastle have an interest. Ancelotti has spoken to Solari about him and scouts were sent to watch him against Newcastle, but Solari is not convinced that English players settle well on the continent. Manchester United will likely need a complete rebuild at CB with departures in the summer and so he will likely be an option. Spurs have a need for a CB. Newcastle has a compelling need to add one or two younger CBs. A wildcard would be Manchester City.
Joao Neves (DM/CM) Discussed with Chelsea when meeting over another player as they were seeking a replacement for Loftus-Cheek. Potential Casemiro replacement for Manchester United. Huge buy out clause and Benfica will not look to sell but recognise there will be growing interest and will insist that the buy out clause is met. Liverpool and Manchetser City have sent scouts. Versatile but falls over easily. I expect Manchester United to push even having a first offer rejected.
Matthijs de Ligt (CB) Player was happier with Tuchel as coach but changes make his future less clear. In the unlikely event that ten Hag is still at Manchester United he may well be interested but he would not be top of the list at all. Bayern have no interest in selling although they are persisting in chasing another CB themselves. He is not a Casemiro alternative.
Joao Neves (DM/CM) Discussed with Chelsea when meeting over another player as they were seeking a replacement for Loftus-Cheek. Potential Casemiro replacement for Manchester United. Huge buy out clause and Benfica will not look to sell but recognise there will be growing interest and will insist that the buy out clause is met in full. Liverpool and Manchetser City have sent scouts. Versatile but falls over easily. I expect Manchester United to push even having a first offer rejected.
Morten Hjulmand (DM/CM) Arrived from Lecce in the summer of 2023 - not available unless an offer that meets his huge release clause is made - and even then the player may not be interested in a move so soon after joining. Arsenal are looking at Elneny and Jorginho leaving as Free Agents in the summer and have sent scouts. He is also seen as an option for Manchester United but currently not first choice. Spurs interest has gone. Barcelona may propose some horse trading. Will stay where he is for now.}
04 Jun 2024 14:21:20
Thanks ED002.
04 Jun 2024 15:09:08
Wow, so much info, Much appreciated Ed. !
Did you mean De jong is not a Casemiro alternative?
{Ed002's Note - Sorry. Frenkie de Jong (CM/DM) Barcelona will look for a new contract with reduced wages else he will be sold in the summer with possible interest remaining from Manchester United if ten Hag stays. PSG have spoken with his agent and additionally his agent has raised his availability with Chelsea whist discussing another player and with Arsenal - but beither is interested and the wages are huge.}
04 Jun 2024 16:31:35
Does anyone remember who our first choice CB target is? I remember Ed mentions we have Goncalo Inacio, Jarrad Branthwaite, Trevor Chalobah and Antonio Silva as our CB targets but I can't seem to remember who our first choice is.
I think it was Antonio Silva but I could be wrong.
{Ed002's Note - Inacio, Silva (but hugely expensive) or Gleison Bremer.}
04 Jun 2024 16:39:45
Wow! Ed002 does it again. Thanks Ed!
04 Jun 2024 20:10:04
So Neves is the answer then ?.
05 Jun 2024 00:00:02
I've not seen too much of him jimbob. Hoping to see him during the euros. I hope we can agree a deal soon having had a bid rejected you'd hope can get back in there quickly to get a feedback agreed, from what I've read he seems to be very highly regarded.
Have you seen much of him?
05 Jun 2024 02:22:32
Utd know what it’ll take to get Neves, €110m lump sum up front. Not too sure Benfica will have much wiggle room with it given the amount of clubs interested in him. There’s also many clubs interested in Silva so they’ll have a choice of which one they want to sell and it’ll probably be the one they get the highest offer for.
05 Jun 2024 02:28:48
Unless we make sales before June 30th I can’t see us giving them the amount being quoted.
05 Jun 2024 08:09:16
Outside of a few internationals and European matches, I haven't extensively watched him. But from what I have seen, he would certainly complement Mainoo and Bruno in a 3 man mid.
As I've previously mentioned, I personally thought we missed a beat with Bellingham, I think from what is out there, Neves is the next best thing. He also is a long term signing, not a short term plug, which is again my preference.
05 Jun 2024 01:26:47
Thanks for the info Ed!
Have a good day.
05 Jun 2024 09:01:10
Are these young foreign players really long term though? Saw a comment here Neves / Silva would be the future for next 10 years but these days PortugeseSpanish lads will be off after a couple of years once Barca/ RM come calling- exceptions to it of course.