With one month of the window remaining, there are a host of Manchester United players who’s futures appear stuck in limbo.
A host of players the Red Devils may not be actively looking to sell, but those they are certainly open to offers for at the right price.
Players such as Aaron Wan-Bissaka, the West Ham target who’s departure would open up space for Noussair Mazraoui. Players such as one Scott McTominay.
While talks appear to be progressing about a deal that would see former Crystal Palace youngster Wan-Bissaka return to London, Manchester United and Fulham remain poles apart in their valuation of Scotland international McTominay.
The Telegraph reported Erik ten Hag’s side received a bid of around £20 million for McTominay, just after the Carrington graduate featured during the Amad Diallo-inspired 3-2 pre-season victory over Real Betis. This has been rejected by United.
There is a belief in the Fulham camp, however, that a deal could eventually be done for around £30 million.
And while McTominay proved to be a rather invaluable member of Ten Hag’s roster last term – bailing out United on numerous occasions while scoring a career-best 10 goals – there is an acceptance that United may have to sacrifice the 27-year-old if they are to bring in a Manuel Ugarte or Monaco’s wantaway Youssouf Fofana.
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Manchester United reject Fulham bid for Scott McTominay
Fulham are not the only club pursuing McTominay.There is interest from Turkish Super Lig champions Galatasaray too, although the Istanbul giants may struggle to keep up with the money on offer at Craven Cottage.
Galatasaray’s president, Dursun Ozbek, has not directly confirmed the club’s interest in McTominay.
But he has admitted that signing a ‘number eight’ – the position where the Man United giant is at his most effective – is a necessity before the end of the window.
“Number eight is a very important area that we need to strengthen,” Ozbek says, via Sporx. “We are working very hard.
“We will make transfers that will make our fans very happy,” the president adds. “Our duty as the management is to please the fans. To make transfers that increase the viewing pleasure.
“We are working on that. Hopefully, we will give them news that will make them happy soon.”
Galatasaray and Fenerbahce remain in the race
HITC understands that Fenerbahce – who missed out on the title to bitter rivals Galatasaray despite racking up 99 points and losing only once – are also admirers of McTominay.
Fener’s new head coach, a certain Jose Mourinho, famously gave the Lancaster-born box-crasher his big break at Old Trafford.
The Yellow Canaries already have one former United ace in their roster – the so-called ‘McFred’ partnership could be revisited in Turkey – and reportedly held talks about a deal to reunite Mourinho with Victor Lindelof too, per The Telegraph.
Lindelof finds himself in the same boat as Wan-Bissaka.
Man United will need to sell before they can conclude a deal to bring a Bayern Munich defender to Old Trafford. While Mazraoui’s hopes depend on whether Wan-Bissaka agrees to join West Ham, United’s pursuit of Matthijs de Ligt has stalled with Lindelof also yet to depart.
Fortunately, De Ligt is in no rush.
Ten Hag’s former Ajax captain is willing to bide his time, turning down other offers as he waits for Man United.
“There were other possibilities for Matthijs de Ligt in recent days, not in England but in other countries. (But) he keeps repeating he wants to wait for Manchester United,” Fabrizio Romano says on his YouTube channel.
“He agreed on personal terms in June. He believes this is the best opportunity, he trusts the project he trusts the manager and he wants to feel important after a few difficult years at Bayern.
“He’s never been a regular starter. He’s had some problems and also with the Dutch national team Matthijs d Ligt wants to feel important and this is why he wants to wait for Manchester United.”
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