Four out, one in and several young players getting their chance.
Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers are the last two clubs out of the 2023/24 Premier League gates, and both are getting serious work done. There will be more Man United transfers by next Monday, while Wolves could have a new manager in place.
On Saturday, at Old Trafford, Erik ten Hag showed his hand against Lens when he selected a starting XI that looks very close to the team that will kick off the league season against Wolves. A day later, players like Harry Maguire and Donny van de Beek started a friendly, in Dublin, against Athletic Bilbao. It may prove the last game either man plays for the club again.
Meanwhile, neither Fred or Scott McTominay featured in either of those friendlies. That duo, along with van de Beek and Harry Maguire are all the subject of outside interest from clubs.
We start with West Ham and their increased bid for Maguire, up to £30m after an opening gambit of £20m. The Hammers have also bid £30m for McTominay, according to Manchester Evening News. David Moyes' side are set to make their first signing of the summer, as £35m-valued Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez has a medical with the club.
United want closer to £40m, each, for McTominay and Maguire but may well settle for £35 apiece. Add up those three fees, including Alvarez, and you have the £105m that Arsenal laid down for former club captain Declan Rice.
[caption id="attachment_291327" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]Kieran Tierney #3 of Arsenal battles Scott McTominay #39 and Facundo Pellistri #28 of Manchester United for the ball, at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)[/caption]
More Man United transfers
Elsewhere, van de Beek could be on his way to Real Sociedad, although a loan and option to buy may be the best they can hope for there. Fred is wanted by Fulham and, according to The Daily Mail, his days look numbered at the club.
In terms of incomings, the same outlet reports that Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat and Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo could both arrive at Old Trafford, but only after other senior stars are moved on. Ten Hag is also keen to give youngsters like Alvaro Fernandez, Facundo Pellistri and Hannibal Mejbri more time with the senior squad before making decisions, as the summer transfer window closes.
Over at Wolves, former Spain manager Julen Lopetegui may bounce as he is still unhappy at transfer dealings, and mis-dealings. The back-up plan for Lopetegui is former Bournemouth boss Gary O'Neil.
Harry Kane wants the move sorted quickly
Harry Kane, meanwhile, has reportedly decided that Bayern Munich have until the end of the week to negotiate a move with Tottenham.
Kane has been at the centre of three failed bids from the Bundesliga champions, who have made the 30-year-old their number one target this summer.
Telegraph Sport have claimed that the England international has confirmed that he has no desire to leave the club beyond the start of the season, leaving Bayern with a tight deadline to meet Spurs' demands.
Tottenham value Kane at the £100m mark however Bayern have remained far apart in their offers thus far. Following his side’s impressive display, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou revealed that he is in “open dialogue” with his talisman as question marks over his future still linger.
“We can’t wait (around) for a decision either way to get going,” he said. “We don’t have the time or the luxury to do that. I’m working with what’s in front of me. You saw today that Harry certainly is invested in what we’re doing and we’ll keep on doing that unless something change."
If a deal can't be agreed then there is the risk that Spurs could lose Kane to a Premier League rival in 12 months time since the forward has shown no signs of committing to a new contract.
Spurs supporters showed their love to Kane once again after their 5-1 win against Shakhtar Donetsk on Sunday - in which Kane scored four of the give goals.
After the game fans sang his name and the forward left the pitch to chants of 'We want you to stay'. Tottenham begin their Premier League campaign with an away trip to Brentford on Sunday.
Another big weekend! Your ultimate Ireland TV guide to all of the weekend’s big sporting action is back. The Six Nations ends on Super Saturday, the Premier League is BACK, and there’s some bumper GAA football across the weekend. Enjoy yourselves, but enjoy yourselves by being disciplined… Football Friday 13th March Saturday 14th March Sunday […]
Former England international and pundit Aluko had brought legal action against Barton over two social media posts on X in 2024. Joey Barton has been ordered to pay more than £300,000 in damages to Eni Aluko after she won her libel case against him. Former England international and pundit Aluko had brought legal action against […]
BREAKING Joey Barton was in custody this morning after being arrested on suspicion of wounding after a fight. The former Manchester City footballer is one of two men who was held following an altercation near Huyton and Prescot Golf Club in Merseyside, the Daily Mail reports. Emergency services were called after reports of an assault, […]
Kieran Tierney #3 of Arsenal battles Scott McTominay #39 and Facundo Pellistri #28 of Manchester United for the ball, at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)[/caption]
