Manchester United transfer news LIVE Man Utd takeover latest as Sheikh Jassim ‘in talks’ with Glazers

Former Manchester United striker Andy Cole believes signing Harry Kane and Declan Rice will still not be enough for the Reds to challenge rivals Manchester City next season.

MEN Sport understands Kane is a priority target for United as they look to strengthen their forward options. However, the Reds are pessimistic about their chances of signing him and are working under the assumption Tottenham Hotspur will not sell.

Meanwhile, Rice has been linked with a move to Old Trafford previously but the asking price has been deemed too high. However, it’s again been suggested United could enter the race for his signature after West Ham confirmed on Thursday their captain would be leaving this summer.

Should Erik ten Hag add both men to his squad, they would no doubt be a stronger outfit. But according to Cole, this would not be enough to battle for the Premier League title.

Here’s why he believes that would be the case.

Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay believes Erik ten Hag’s ability to bring fresh ideas to the table is the main difference between him and previous managers at Old Trafford.

The Reds enjoyed a good first campaign under the Dutchman. United won their first silverware in six years when they secured the Carabao Cup. United also finished third in the table, guaranteeing Champions League football for next year.

Sitting down to discuss his manager, McTominay revealed how he has changed United’s approach to football in his first year.

Here is what the midfielder had to say.

Martin Dubravka has defended his move to Manchester United after being left in a difficult situation at Newcastle.

Dubravka spent the first half of the season on loan at United from the Magpies. He made the move to Old Trafford after losing his place as Newcastle’s No.1 to summer signing Nick Pope.

Dubravka played just twice for United, with both appearances coming in the Carabao Cup, and was recalled by the Magpies in January.

The goalkeeper has now explained why he opted to make the move to Old Trafford, claiming any other goalkeeper in his position would have made the same decision.

You can read what he had to say here.

The summer transfer window will officially open for business on Wednesday, June 14.

United are set to be active this summer trying to both add to Erik ten Hag’s squad and offload members of the squad who are no longer needed.

More details on the transfer window can be found here.

According to Portuguese publication Corriere de Manha, United are ‘finalising a proposal’ to try and sign FC Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

The shot-stopper has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent months and a report in his homeland now claims that the Reds are stepping up their efforts. He is believed to have a 65 million release clause in his contract and is considered as the club’s most ‘sellable’ asset.

United manager Erik ten Hag may have already gauged an understanding of just how keen Atalanta ace Rasmus Hojlund might be to join United this summer.

Ten Hag has held several video calls with the Danish international ahead of the transfer window opening next week amid United’s pursuit of a new striker. The Reds are desperate to land a new goal-getter and Hojlund has been identified as an attainable target.

Click here to read more.

According to a report by talkSPORT, captain Harry Maguire ‘wants to stay’ at United this summer amid increasing speculation about his future.

The England defender slipped down the pecking order at Old Trafford this season and is being tipped as one of several faces that could be part of Erik ten Hag’s summer clearout. He has been heavily linked with both Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur over the last few days.

However, it is being claimed that he hopes to remain at Old Trafford this summer.

“We’ve had deadlines, delays and dallying. Two frontline bids emerged months ago and Sheikh Jassim felt the need to impose his own terms on his fifth and final offer. Sir Jim Ratcliffe remains keen, and his move could see the Glazer family regain some control. While Sheikh Jassim is seeking a full takeover and wants to clear the debt, Sir Ratcliffe’s offer wouldn’t immediately wipe the debt while the Glazers would remain in a minority capacity for now, something that supporters would be desperate to avoid. It’s abundantly clear that money and power are at the centre of the Glazers’ thinking. No prizes for working that out.”

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INEOS chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe remains the favourite to complete a takeover of United, despite a recent fifth – and final – bid from Qatari billionaire Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani earlier this week.

The Qatari lodged a take it or leave it offer on Wednesday to buy United and has reportedly set a deadline of today for the Glazers to make a decision. Ratcliffe, meanwhile, is reportedly ‘on the brink’ of success with his takeover pursuit.

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Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund reportedly wants to join United in this summer’s upcoming transfer window.

According to a report by The Athletic, Atalanta are ‘open to a sale’ but they will demand a fee of around £40million for his signature. Erik ten Hag has held video calls with the Danish international and is keen on adding him to his squad this summer.

“Erik ten Hag has held multiple video calls with Atalanta striker Hojlund, who has been identified as an attainable target. The 20-year-old is a boyhood fan of the club and he’s understood to be receptive to the idea of moving to Old Trafford. Hojlund only moved to Italy from Austrian side Sturm Graz last year but he’s already considered an exciting prospect. The youngster has contributed 10 goals and four assists for Alanata and his statistics beyond that are interesting. “

Click here to read more.

United are reportedly considering sending Mason Greenwood out on loan next season.

The 21-year-old forward remains suspended by the club as they conduct an internal investigation into him.

The Mail say United are looking to send him out on loan for the entirety of the 2023/24 season to allow themselves a further period of reflection.

It is suggested a loan to either Spain, Italy or Turkey are the likeliest options.

United would reportedly face competition from Newcastle in any move for Kim Min-jae this summer.

talkSPORT suggests Eddie Howe has identified Napoli defender Kim as the player he would like to sign most in the summer transfer window.

They will need to act quickly though because Kim, who must carry out military service this year, is understood to have a release clause in his contract which is only valid for the first half of July.

The buyout clause is reportedly set at just £42 million.

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani has reportedly held ‘direct conversations’ with the Glazer family as he looks to secure a takeover of the club.

“There have been, what I understand to be, in-depth conversations and direct conversations between the Glazers and the Nine Two Foundation as well,” Ben Jacobs told GIVEMESPORT.

“All signs point to the fact that the Glazers are actually getting both groups to get deep into this process. If they green-light one of them, they’ll be in a position, transactionally speaking, to move as fast as possible. I think that’s why both groups have been in the dark for so long.”

Real Madrid are reportedly working on a deal to sign Harry Kane from Tottenham.

Marca reports on the La Liga club’s interest in the England forward and says they are hoping to pay somewhere in the region of €80million.

It is understood Daniel Levy would be much more open to doing business with Madrid than with a domestic rival like United.

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is understood to have made a fifth and final bid to buy United earlier this week.

This will be Sheikh Jassim’s final bid, and after today’s deadline, he will no longer engage with the process.

It could therefore be an important day in the future of the club, though we have been in this situation many times before throughout the process.

Manchester United could face fresh competition for the signing of Napoli defender Kim Min-jae.

The Serie A title winner has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for several months now – but talkSPORT claim that Eddie Howe’s Newcastle are tracking the centre-back and could ‘hijack’ United’s move.

The 26-year-old is under contract for another couple of years at Napoli, but has a reported £42million release clause at his current contract.

In addition to speculation regarding Newcastle, The Telegraph report that Napoli have offered their defender a new contract – which would remove his release clause. It is claimed that no bids have yet been received by the Italian club – though Erik ten Hag, according to talkSPORT, is ‘particularly keen to activate’ his buyout clause.

Manchester United and Chelsea are yet to agree on a fee for midfielder Mason Mount, but the Reds are remaining “calm” about a summer deal for the England international.

The Chelsea midfielder is expected to leave Stamford Bridge after reaching an agreement on personal terms with United, and the Reds will reportedly make an opening offer of £40 million for him.

The Athletic reports that the Blues want £70 million plus add-ons, however, with the gulf in negotiations proving to be something of a sticking point

Mount has one year left on his current contract at Stamford Bridge and earlier this year he rejected Chelsea’s offer of a new one.

Declan Rice previously acknowledged that Old Trafford is one of his “favourite” football grounds to play at amid rumours that the midfielder may join Manchester United this summer.

The England international led West Ham United to its first major trophy in 43 years on Wednesday night, solidifying his place in West Ham United folklore. The Hammers won the Europa Conference League, becoming just the second team to do so, after a tight 2-1 victory over Fiorentina.

Rice participated in 11 of West Ham’s 13 games in the competiton, including all but one of the knockout games, and helped lead his team to victory. The 24-year-old is now generally anticipated to leave the London Stadium this summer – and his comments about playing at Old Trafford may give United an advantage.

Read what Rice had to say about the stadium here.