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Manchester United are 'still discussing internally' who may be the best fit to spearhead their attack heading into 2023/24 as they assess several striking targets, says renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano.

What strikers have Manchester United been linked with this window?

Earlier in the year, Manchester United were heavily linked with a move for Tottenham Hotspur talisman Harry Kane as Erik Ten Hag looks to beef up his forward line with an elite addition, as per The Independent.

Nevertheless, the Red Devils opted out of pursuing the England international in the end due to Spurs' tough stance in negotiations, leaving them in a position where their priorities have now shifted to tracking alternative options.

Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund is also a target for Manchester United and talks are continuing over a swoop for the 20-year-old; however, his current employers have slapped an £86 million price tag on his shoulders in their attempts to ward off interest, according to The Daily Mail.

Eintracht Frankfurt star Randal Kolo Muani and Napoli sensation Victor Osimhen have also been mooted as prospective signings at Old Trafford this summer.

Jornal de Notícias via Sport Witness claim that Porto hitman Mehdi Taremi is someone who is admired by Manchester United boss Ten Hag as their search for a new forward continues to gain momentum.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Romano has revealed that Manchester United are still running the rule over who may be the best fit to lead the line at the club this season.

Romano said: “They are still discussing internally who is the best striker for this project and what kind of opportunity they will find.

“They wanted Harry Kane; this is very clear. Erik ten Hag wanted Harry Kane, but, at the moment, Tottenham have no intentions of negotiating with Man Utd. This is why they are looking at other options.”

What other movements have Manchester United made in the transfer market?

Romano has also confirmed that Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount is set for a medical at Manchester United ahead of his move to Old Trafford, stating on Twitter: "Mason Mount will undergo medical tests on Monday and then he’s finally gonna sign five year deal as new Manchester United player. Contract until June 2028 — it will also include an option to extend until June 2029. £55m plus £5m to Chelsea. Statement this week."

In the goalkeeping department, Feyenoord stopper Justin Bijlow and Eintracht Frankfurt's Kevin Trapp have been identified as two targets to strengthen Ten Hag's last line of defence, as a deal to bring in Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana could prove to be difficult financially, according to The Mirror.

Calciomercato claim that Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic's agent has held talks over a prospective transfer to Manchester United, though the Serbia international is garnering attention from several clubs around Europe.

Either way, Manchester United look set for a busy summer window as Ten Hag aims to construct a side capable of challenging for the Premier League title this season.

Leeds United are reportedly interested in signing Manchester United youngster Amad Diallo on loan this summer, according to a fresh update.

How good is Man United youngster Diallo?

The £28,000-a-week attacker is an exciting prospect at Old Trafford, with a potentially strong career ahead of him, wherever he eventually ends up.

Diallo spent last season on loan at Sunderland and his performances caught the eye, with 14 goals and three assists coming his way in the Championship, and it could be that another temporary move comes his way in 2023/24, in order for him to continue his development.

The 20-year-old could be a future regular at Old Trafford, depending on how much he kicks on in the coming years, and any Championship club would surely be happy to have him.

With Leeds preparing for life back in the second tier, following their relegation from the Premier League last month, it looks as though Diallo has emerged as a summer target for new owners the 49ers Enterprises.

Are Leeds keen on signing Diallo this summer?

According to The Mirror, the Whites are "on the trail" of Diallo ahead of a potential loan move this summer, seeing him as an ideal replacement for the likes of Jack Harrison and Wilfried Gnonto, both of whom could move on before the start of next season.

It is stated that United manager Erik ten Hag "plans to take him on the club’s summer tour to the USA", but it could be that he doesn't yet see him as a key part of his plans, therefore paving the way for a short-term exit.

Diallo could be such an exciting signing for Leeds, with his displays for Sunderland last term showing exactly what he is capable of, being hailed as "incredible" by Black Cats hero Luke O'Nien. He has the unpredictability, trickery and end product to immediately make the Whites a potent force in the Championship, and he would help fill the possible void left by Harrison and Gnonto.

Granted, it seems highly unlikely that the Ivorian will be at Elland Road for more than a season, but Leeds needs a quickfire return to the Premier League and the United starlet could be the man who helps inspire them back into the top flight.

Diallo already has three caps and one goal to his name for the Ivory Coast, despite his tender years, while six goals and four assists in just five appearances for United's Under-21s further highlight what a talent he is.

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani has seemingly been handed a huge Manchester United boost in his attempts to seal a full Old Trafford takeover.

What’s the latest Man United takeover news?

Jassim has made five bids for Manchester United, with the most recent coming earlier this month. His offer has always been for 100% of the club which would see all the club’s debt cleared, while also creating a separate fund for the community.

However, Jassim isn’t the only one keen on a takeover, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group also in the race which began late last year. It was previously reported that Ratcliffe was closing in on a Manchester United takeover, however, recent speculation has claimed that it is Jassim who has now slipped ahead.

A takeover approval process could actually take eight to 12 weeks, meaning that the Glazers may remain in control at the start of next season, but an update has emerged which could be good news for Jassim.

The Manchester Evening News relayed an update from The Mirror on Tuesday regarding the Glazers’ stance on a full sale, with it being labelled as a huge boost for Jassim.

“Sheikh Jassim has received a 'huge boost' in his prospective takeover of United with the Glazer family finally on the same page, according to The Mirror.

“There has been long-standing debate over a full sale, with brothers Joel and Avram both thought to be keen on retaining a minority share – something Sir Jim Ratcliffe has proposed in his bid. However, the family are now said to be united regarding a full sale, something that Sheikh Jassim has vowed to go through with, should he be granted exclusivity.”

Is Kylian Mbappe signing for Man United?

This update appears to be key for Jassim in his attempts to take full control at Old Trafford, and should he do just that, it looks as if he is planning to make a Man United move for Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe.

The Qatar group believe that the France international “belongs at Man United” and are eyeing a sensational swoop this summer.

Mbappe may end up leaving PSG ahead of the 2023/24 season if he doesn’t sign new terms with the club, and should Jassim get the green light in Manchester ahead of Ratcliffe, he could make a £170m move – making this one to watch over the coming months.

20 years. That is how long Newcastle United had gone without the glitz and glamour of Champions League football, prior to their return in 2023/24.

They haven’t come all too often in recent times, but St James’ Park is a stadium made for Champions League nights – Football FanCast thought it was worth ranking Newcastle United’s greatest clashes in European football…

5 Newcastle United 1-0 Juventus – 2002-03 Champions League

If you were to ask a Newcastle fan about Andy Griffin, one moment would come to mind. That would, of course, be Griffin’s famous goal against Juventus 20 years ago.

Star-studded players such as Alessandro Del Piero, Gianluigi Buffon and Edgar Davids made the trip to Tyneside, but Griffin was the unlikely hero in a historic win for the Magpies

The full-back, who was never famed for his goalscoring exploits, saw his effort deflect in off Italian legend Buffon to hand Newcastle their first win of their Champions League campaign.

4 Feynoord 2-3 Newcastle United – 2002/03 Champions League

Another Champions League classic from the 2002/03 season saw Craig Bellamy’s last-minute winner make Newcastle the first-ever side to qualify from their group after losing their first three games.

Needing a win to book their place in the second group stage – as was the format back in the day – the Magpies raced off into a 2-0 lead through goals from Bellamy and Hugo Viana, only to let that slip midway through the second half.

Bellamy, however, would come to the rescue, with Kieron Dyer’s shot falling at the feet of the Welshman, who slotted home the winner and sent the Newcastle away end into pandemonium.

3 Inter 2-2 Newcastle United – 2002/03 Champions League

The 2002-03 Champions League season was well and truly a rollercoaster ride for the Magpies, with Newcastle’s famous trip to the San Siro providing yet another classic for the Toon Army – albeit they will have felt hard done by after the final whistle.

Needing a win to realistically stay in the tournament, the Magpies took a staggering 12,000 fans to Milan. Toon legend Alan Shearer repaid the faith of the fans by scoring two goals either side of half-time, though his brace was cancelled out by goals from Christian Vieri and Ivan Cordoba.

Despite the Inter side including the likes of Fabio Cannavaro and Javier Zanetti, Newcastle were largely the better team throughout and could have deemed themselves unlucky not to have left Italian soil without the three points.

2 Ujpest 2-3 Newcastle United – 1968/69 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup

Newcastle’s only European trophy to date was secured following the Magpies’ clash with Hungarian outfit Ujpest came way back in the 1960s – days when finals used to be played across two legs.

The Fairs Cup was a predecessor to the UEFA Cup and Europa League, and the Toon’s triumph remains their most recent taste of major silverware.

A Newcastle side including the likes of Bob Moncur and Wyn Davies soared into a 3-0 lead after the first game, going on to comfortably lift the trophy after a 3-2 second-leg victory in Budapest.

1 Newcastle United 3-2 Barcelona – 1997/98 Champions League

Newcastle’s famous win over Spanish giants FC Barcelona has to be the best of the bunch when it comes to European nights at St James’ Park.

Back in 1997, Kenny Dalglish’s side played host to a legendary Barcelona side that contained the likes of Rivaldo, Luis Figo and Luis Enrique.

The Magpies, however, came out on top thanks to a sublime hat-trick from Faustino Asprilla. The Colombian’s 49-minute hat-trick sailed the Toon Army into a shock 3-0 lead, with Barcelona eventually fighting back with two goals of their own through Enrique and Figo.

West Ham United are leading the way for the signature of relegated Southampton star James Ward-Prowse this summer, according to Football Insider.

Is James Ward-Prowse leaving Southampton?

As revealed by Football Insider, James Ward-Prowse was given permission to leave Southampton in the case of relegation.

So, now that the Saints are set for a spell in the Championship, the midfielder is reportedly free to leave.

The club captain couldn’t do enough to rescue his side from relegation, despite scoring nine goals and assisting a further four from midfield in the league.

Ward-Prowse’s form was certainly Premier League quality, as is his ability.

And, with that, he has attracted the interest of West Ham, who, alongside London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, lead the way for the Englishman’s signature this summer, according to Football Insider.

After spending his entire career up to date with Southampton, Ward-Prowse’s time at St Mary’s looks set to finally come to an end.

How much will James Ward-Prowse cost?

Despite suffering relegation from the Premier League, Southampton will look to demand £40m for the transfer of Ward-Prowse this summer, according to Jack Rosser of The Sun.

It remains to be seen whether West Ham can match that price, but the prospect of Europe once again next season would certainly provide a financial boost ahead of the summer.

The Hammers may have no choice but to invest in midfield reinforcements this summer, too, given the uncertainty surrounding Declan Rice’s future at the club.

The England international has been linked with moves to Bayern Munich and Arsenal, as per Florian Plettenberg.

The potential arrival of Ward-Prowse could help to fill the void left by Rice, if he did decide to leave West Ham in the summer transfer window.

The "phenomenal" Southampton captain – as once described by former teammate Charlie Austin – would also fill the homegrown spot that Rice would leave.

Speaking on potential signings this summer, Moyes suggested his desire to sign homegrown players, saying via the Evening Standard:

“I would say yes, I think I would like to add more a little bit more of British players or homegrown players if we possibly could.

“I wouldn’t set out to take one of them if I saw something better or I thought there was a better alternative.”

With that in mind and a whole summer of twists to come, West Ham’s reported pursuit of Ward-Prowse could yet see plenty more twists and turns.

Manchester City are edging closer to a deal for Mateo Kovacic, with reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano reporting that personal terms between the club and the player have been agreed.

Who are Manchester City signing this summer?

The midfielder has once more been a frequent first-team player for Chelsea this season but he isn't starting as many games for the Blues as he once was. When the player first arrived at Stamford Bridge, he was handed 32 league outings with 21 of those coming as starts. In the 2022/23 campaign however, Kovacic was afforded only 27 league games and 17 starts, as Chelsea finished in the bottom half of the Premier League.

It didn't stop the Croatian from producing the goods though, with the central player managing one goal and two assists along the way. He also ranked highly for his passing ability, with his rate of 70.24 passes per 90 putting him within the top eight percent of players in his position amongst the 'Top Five' big leagues in Europe. He also registered 7.93 progressive passes per 90 – putting him in the top nine percent for that figure too.

Despite not featuring as much, Kovacic remains an intelligent player then that likes to sling the ball around the field and to use his ability in finding teammates to help his side get further up the field. It's led to interest in his services from Manchester City ahead of the transfer window and it appears that a deal is getting closer to completion.

That's because reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that personal terms have been agreed over a move – and that the player himself wants to leave the Blues to move the Etihad Stadium. Whilst a deal is therefore nearly done, the fee over a deal has not yet been agreed. Romano though has stated that the figure is likely to be something that is discussed and agreed once City have played in their Champions League final. With CIES Football Observatory valuing the midfielder at 30 million Euros (£25m), that fee might not be too high of an amount if that is anything to go off.

Speaking on the deal, Romano said: "Mateo Kovacić has now agreed personal terms with Manchester City after advanced talks already revealed last week. Kovacić wants the move, next step has to be between clubs as Chelsea and City will discuss fee after the UCL final. Chelsea, open to sell Kovacic."

Would Kovacic be a good signing for Man City?

The midfielder has already won Croatian League titles and a La Liga with Real Madrid but has yet to add a Premier League crown to his silverware cupboard. With the Blues sliding down the table, a move to Man City may allow him to be in with a chance of finally securing that prize.

If they do manage to add him, then Pep Guardiola's side would be getting themselves a player well capable of fitting into their midfield. Whilst the 29-year-old is an adept passer as previously stated, he is also good at driving the ball forward himself – as shown by his carries into the final third rate of 2.13 per 90 – and is well capable of popping up with a shot or goal. With a rate of 1 goal per shot on target – amongst the top three percent in his area – he is an accurate shooter when he does have a pop at goal and isn't afraid to drive forward. He ticks plenty of boxes for City then.

Liverpool enter the 22/23 summer transfer market knowing that mistakes cannot be made after a dismal campaign that has left Jurgen Klopp's outfit away from the Champions League for the first time in seven seasons.

What's the latest on Ryan Gravenberch to Liverpool?

According to the Daily Mail, the Reds have shifted their emphasis on Bayern Munich starlet after accepting defeat in their lengthy battle to sign Jude Bellingham, who is expected to join Real Madrid this month.

This follows previous murmurings from Italian reports that claim the 21-year-old is indeed of interest to the Reds, who are attracted by signing him for €50m (£43m) amid rival intrigue from Premier League high-fliers Newcastle United.

Despite the midfielder playing a peripheral role since joining the Bavarian giants' ranks, Liverpool will find an obstacle to overcome in prising him away from the Allianz Arena, with Fabrizio Romano confirming he is very much in Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel's plans.

How good is Ryan Gravenberch?

Gravenberch made the bold move to Bayern for £20m one year ago after dazzling with Ajax in the Dutch Eredivisie, having played a vital role in gleaning the league title after forging 30 appearances, scoring two goals and supplying five assists, and praised as "dominant" and a "better version of [Paul] Pogba" by his former coach Brian Tevreden.

He might have expected to slot right into prominence at the prestigious Bundesliga outfit but has found his campaign has been anything but auspicious on an individual level, starting

And with Bayern actively pursuing a move for West Ham United's highly-coveted pivot Declan Rice, Gravenberch might be inclined to make the switch to Anfield, with James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all leaving the Reds this summer and freeing up ample room in the centre.

He could be the perfect replacement for the outgoing Keita, who also plied his trade in Germany before completing a £53m transfer to Merseyside in 2018.

A stylish and enterprising box-to-box midfielder, the Guinean has been riddled with detrimental injury issues and subsequently left Liverpool tarnished by the sheer volume of matches spent confined to the medical department,

The 50-cap international made just 13 appearances across the 22/23 campaign, and Liverpool would indeed find an excellent replacement in Gravenberch, with the Dutchman ranking among the top 7% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 24% for progressive passes, the top 18% for successful take-ons and the top 24% for rate of tackles per 90, as per FBref, which illustrates his midfield dynamism.

Hailed as "better than Jude Bellingham" by ex-Tottenham star Rafael van der Vaart, Gravenberch certainly appears to be a tailor-made alternative for the esteemed Englishman, who is viewed as a first-rate operator with devastating attacking intent and diligence in his defensive duties.

With the midfield exodus set to ensue at Anfield, Klopp must complete a swoop for Gravenberch, who is young, but one of football's most prodigious stars and could not only be an apt replacement for Keita, but expunge the demons lingering around the club's failure to sign Bellingham.

Liverpool are planning a midfield overhaul this summer and will be seeking a formula to ensnare Chelsea ace Mason Mount, who has been highly touted across recent months.

What's the latest on Mason Mount to Liverpool?

According to The Athletic, Arsenal are edging the race to sign the out-of-sorts midfielder as the 22/23 campaign draws to a close, though Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool and Manchester United are both very much alive in the pursuit of the 24-year-old.

The Blues, who will welcome Mauricio Pochettino to the dugout in several weeks, will also attempt to hammer out an agreement with Mount as his contract at Stamford Bridge approaches its final year.

However, Chelsea are not expected to retain the England international's services, and have touted him at £60m if a Premier League rival is to lure him away from west London.

How would Mason Mount perform at Liverpool?

Mount's season has been the most challenging of his career, and while he is endeared by Chelsea fans and a boyhood Blue, his story at the outfit might just be drawing to a close.

That's not to say that he hasn't been on the most dynamic and dangerous midfielders in the Premier League over the past several seasons, taking the cream of his exploits with Chelsea in the Champions League, where he triumphed in the 20/21 edition and played the defence-splitting, match-winning assist in the final against Manchester City.

Last season, the 36-cap star recorded an average top-flight rating of 7.43, as per Sofascore, scoring 11 goals and supplying ten assists, forging 2.4 shots and 1.8 key passes per game, completing 85% of his total passes and making 1.3 tackles per outing, hailed as "generational" by journalist Benjamin Lynch.

The £80k-per-week gem has primarily been deployed as an attacking midfielder and left-winger over the past several years, which has a certain similarity to Gini Wjnaldum when he plied his trade at Newcastle United before making the move to Anfield for £25m in 2015.

The Dutchman scored 11 times in his solitary campaign with the Magpies but only plundered 22 goals from 237 outings across the entirety of his Reds career, remoulded as an industrious machine and hailed as the "perfect" engine for the team by his former German manager.

Mount could certainly take a leaf from Wijnaldum's book and occupy a deeper, pivoting role on Merseyside, already displaying signs of prowess in that area by ranking among the top 15% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries, also exhibiting his creative side by ranking among the top 14% for shot-creating actions per 90, as per FBref.

While not enjoying the most fruitful of seasons, Mount's innate ability is unquestionable, and he could be crafted into a "superstar" – as he has been dubbed by journalist Adi Joseph – under Klopp's stewardship.

Leeds United could move for Noa Lang if they lose Raphinha this summer, according to Phil Hay.

The lowdown

It was reported in August 2021 that the Whites were interested in the 22-year-old, who instead made his loan move from Ajax to Club Brugge permanent.

Lang is predominantly a left winger but also has 27 matches worth of experience playing on the right during his career. He has three years left on his contract with the Belgian club and is valued at £19.8m by Transfermarkt.

Meanwhile, Raphinha is attracting interest from Barcelona ahead of the transfer window, with the La Liga outfit lining up a move for the 25-year-old.

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The latest

A supporter asked Hay on The Athletic’s matchday discussion boards whether he could see Leeds going back in for Lang in the summer.

The journalist responded by saying that the Whites had been ‘keen’ on the 22-year-old but ‘left it alone’ because Marcelo Bielsa wasn’t all that enthused by the idea, although he reckons that the Dutchman ‘could be a ‘very good investment’.

Hay outlined: “The club were very keen on him last summer. Bielsa less so, which is why they left it alone. It’s a good question though because if Raphinha goes, Leeds will need to build up their attack (and they need more attacking players regardless imo). That said, we can all forget about players of Lang’s quality if Leeds go down.”

The verdict

Lang isn’t a perfect replacement given that he largely plays on the opposite flank to Raphinha, but he does look like an exciting option. He has been directly involved in 23 goals this season – scoring nine and setting up 14 – for the Belgian title chasers.

The 22-year-old has also earned international recognition, making his debut for the Netherlands in a World Cup qualifier in October and featuring in both squads since.

He has also won some rave reviews, with journalist Zach Lowy describing his performance against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League as ‘absolutely brilliant’ and European football expert Alex Barker likening him to a ‘young Ronaldo’ and marvelling at his speed.

That all suggests that Lang is a player who could electrify Elland Road if he is indeed signed as Raphinha’s replacement.

In other news, a Sky Sports injury expert has dropped this claim on this Leeds ace

Sky Sports have provided a live TV update on Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba amid links to rivals Manchester City.

The Lowdown: Pogba’s Man City links

United’s club-record signing looks set to leave Old Trafford for free when his contract expires at the end of June.

The Frenchman may not line out in a Red Devils shirt again after missing the last four matches with a calf problem. He could remain in England, though, with reports linking Manchester City with a shock move for the 29-year-old.

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The Daily Mail revealed on Friday evening that Pep Guardiola wants a new versatile midfielder to replace Fernandinho, with Pogba on a list of potential targets.

The Latest: Sky Sports update

Sky Sports cited reports linking the 2018 World Cup winner with a move to the Etihad Stadium live on-air on Saturday morning.

They duly added further information, claiming the 29-year-old could remain in England, stating: ‘We’ve been told Pogba will consider every serious offer put to him and hasn’t ruled out staying in the Premier League.’

Sky Sports also stated that Real Madrid, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain are interested in the midfielder’s services along with City.

The Verdict: Surely not…

City will have to wait until the transfer window officially opens to make their move for Pogba, while the likes of Real Madrid, Juventus and PSG could strike pre-agreement terms right now.

The France international hasn’t had a great deal of success in the Premier League and has made just 16 starts this season, so it would be a shock if he made the move across Manchester to the Etihad, especially considering the vast talent at Guardiola’s disposal.

It looks as if there is a chance it could happen, though, so Pogba’s next destination is certainly one to keep an eye on following developments in the past 48 hours.

In other news: Man Utd want to hijack Man City’s move for ‘explosive’ star who ‘has no weakness’.