Manchester United given huge boost in their hunt for Barcelona forward Ansu Fati - Paper Round
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ByEurosport
Updated 12/04/2023 at 09:44 GMT
Manchester United could sign Ansu Fati from Barcelona this summer after the Spanish club decided to raise funds, while at Old Trafford there is a third round of bidding to come. Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest could replace Steve Cooper with ex-Sevilla manager Jorge Sampaoli, and Jude Bellingham has seen Liverpool drop out of the race to sign him at the end of the season.
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Barca may sell Fati
Manchester United could land Ansu Fati this summer, reports The Sun, after it was decided that Spanish club Barcelona need to sell players to raise funds.
20-year-old forward Fati has long been linked to United, who could now make a move.
“Manchester United have received a transfer boost with Barcelona plotting to sell Ansu Fati,” the report begins.
“The wonderkid has been on the radar of several Premier League clubs since breaking through at the Nou Camp.
“He has mostly featured as a substitute for Xavi's side this term but has contributed seven goals and three assists in all competitions.
“However Barcelona's dire financial situation means they could be forced to sell one or two prized assets this summer.
“But it is believed Barcelona would rather sell a player they paid no money for, such as Franck Kessie or Andreas Christensen, both of whom arrived on a free last summer.
“Fati could also be included since he is an academy graduate.”
Qatari bid may hit obstacle
There are further delays in the potential sale of Manchester United, with a third round of bidding now to be opened in the hopes of landing the Glazer family a better deal.
The Mirror believes that a potential bid by Qatari investors is now becoming more complicated.
The paper writes: “The Qatari bid to Manchester United appears to have suffered a setback after the club confirmed a third round of bidding would be opened.
“Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is heading a bid to complete a takeover of the club. The Glazers, the club’s current unpopular owners, have pushed back their deadline to complete a sale of the club with the ownership situation at Old Trafford still unclear.
“Qatar Sports Investment – who share a direct link to the Qatari state – are likely to increase their investment into Paris Saint-Germain and remain committed to the French club amid interest in buying Spanish team Malaga. It is unclear if this will impact the bid for United – but the prolonging of the bidding process is likely to pour doubt on the situation.”
Sampaoli lined up for Forest switch
Steve Cooper may be on his way out of Nottingham Forest as the club struggles in the Premier League.
In his stead could come Jorge Sampaoli, according to the Mail, who identify the ex-Sevilla man as a potential replacement.
“Jorge Sampaoli has been sounded out about becoming Nottingham Forest manager, with the club mulling over whether to replace Steve Cooper before the end of the campaign,” the story begins.
“Despite leading Forest to the Premier League for the first time this century, Cooper is on thin ice after a run of nine matches without a win that has seen the club slip into the bottom three for the first time since January.
“Sportsmail understands former Argentina boss Sampaoli, out of work after being sacked by Sevilla three weeks ago, was approached by intermediaries about moving to the City Ground, with a deal that would have extended beyond the end of this season mooted.”
Liverpool drop out of Bellingham chase
The race for Jude Bellingham became slightly more streamlined when Liverpool decided that they would not bid for the Borussia Dortmund midfielder.
Liverpool had long been seen as one of the favourites to land the England international, but they believe spending money elsewhere is the better option.
The Telegraph explains: “Liverpool sprang a major surprise on Tuesday night when they pulled out of the race to sign their top transfer target Jude Bellingham this summer.
“Jurgen Klopp’s summer rebuild plans have been redrawn and no longer include the Borussia Dortmund midfielder because of the prohibitive cost of a deal, which would require meeting a valuation in excess of £115 million as well as matching wage demands worthy of the most wanted young player in Europe.
“Instead, Liverpool want to spread their resources to ensure every area of the squad is reinforced. Focusing on Bellingham would have absorbed most of Klopp’s transfer kitty.”
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