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    Ten Hag begs Man Utd to buy ‘better players’ for title fight – but transfer targets like Kane and Mount could cost £365m

    ERIK TEN HAG has sensationally claimed Manchester United need “better players” to fight for the Premier League title.The Red Devils clinched Champions League football on Thursday evening with a 4-1 victory over Chelsea at Old Trafford.
    Erik ten Hag has called for Manchester United to sign players in the summerCredit: PA
    Declan Rice and Harry Kane are two men on Man Utd’s radarCredit: Reuters
    But they remain well adrift of local rivals Manchester City – who sit 17 points clear of their neighbours heading into the final weekend of the season.
    And Ten Hag has admitted his squad needs to be bolstered significantly if they are to end their decade-long pursuit of a league title.
    Speaking after the win over Chelsea, he told Sky Sports: “It is a good base to build on but standards have to go up and demands have to rise.
    “We have to work in the summer with this squad but we also have to strengthen in the window with this squad.
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    Mason Mount looks set to leave Chelsea at the end of the seasonCredit: Getty
    “We want to compete for the title but it has to be realistic. It is what is there.
    “Now, we are far away so there is a lot of work to do but we need better players if want to compete for the highest.”

    The size of Ten Hag’s transfer kitty this summer looks set to depend on who owns the club.
    The Glazers’ sale continues to drag on as British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani are embroiled in a bidding war.
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    Kim Min-jae may opt to swap Italy for England amid reports of Man Utd interestCredit: Getty
    United have been linked with signing a host of huge players and could shell out as much as £365million on FIVE stars.
    Tottenham striker Harry Kane is the most high-profile target as he prepares to enter the final 12 months of his contract.
    But the England skipper could still set United back £100m as Spurs hold out for a huge fee for their all-time record scorer.
    Another Three Lions star seemingly on the market is midfielder Mason Mount.
    The Chelsea man also has just one year left on his existing deal and has been linked with United, Arsenal and Liverpool.
    Ten Hag is keen to acquire him for £55m, but Blues owner Todd Boehly is believed to be commanding £80m.
    And Mount’s childhood friend, Declan Rice, is expected to cost even more when he departs West Ham.
    The 24-year-old Hammers captain has been priced at £100m by David Moyes’ men.
    And interest from a number of Premier League giants – such as Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd – could drive the price through the roof.
    Napoli centre-back Kim Min-jae is another summer pursuit that will cost around £40m.
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    And Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong could come in as competition for Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot.
    But he is also valued at around £45m – so nobody is expected to come to Man Utd on the cheap this summer.
    Jeremie Frimpong, in red, could be set for a summer move to Old TraffordCredit: AFP More

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    Arsenal already have Granit Xhaka replacement lined up as they target transfer for ‘perfect’ £34m midfielder

    ARSENAL are reportedly lining up a move for Feyenoord midfielder Orkun Kokcu as Granit Xhaka’s successor.Mikel Arteta’s men have enjoyed a superb Premier League campaign, albeit while spurning a healthy lead to lose out on the title to Manchester City.
    Orkun Kokcu could be set for a summer move to ArsenalCredit: Getty
    Granit Xhaka is expected to leave Arsenal at the end of the seasonCredit: Getty
    Many of their impressive displays have come with the midfield duo of Xhaka and Thomas Partey at the heart of the team.
    Jorginho was signed from Chelsea in January to provide some crucial back-up.
    But now as the Gunners prepare to do business in the summer transfer window, Xhaka, who has played more than 200 games across a seven-year spell, looks set to depart.
    The Swiss captain, 30, is entering the final year of his deal at the Emirates.
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    And he is being heavily linked with a move to German side Bayer Leverkusen.
    Aware of Xhaka’s likely exit, Arsenal are already eyeing up his replacement.

    According to Record, Feyenoord man Kokcu, 22, is being targeted by the North London side.
    He has contributed 12 goals and five assists in 45 appearances this season.
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    Benfica have been long-time admirers of the Turkish international.
    However, there are now issues that could block a deal with the Portugese side – namely the £34million price tag.
    And Benfica are also concerned about competition from other clubs.
    Liverpool and Sevilla are understood to be interested in the midfielder – who has helped Feyenoord claim the Eredivisie title this season. More

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    Man Utd and Liverpool battle Real Madrid in transfer race for World Cup winner and Bayern Munich star

    MANCHESTER UNITED and Liverpool are reportedly battling Real Madrid in the chase to sign Benjamin Pavard.The French World Cup winner, 27, has been at Bayern Munich for four years.
    Three huge clubs are all chasing Bayern Munich defender Benjamin PavardCredit: Getty
    The full-back is a regular at the Bundesliga club but speculation has been mounting over his future.
    We reported this week how United supporters reacted underwhelming as they were linked with a move for Pavard.
    Now journalist Georg Holzner claims that the Red Devils face a fight to sign the star.
    It has been reported Premier League rivals Liverpool also want Pavard.
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    And LaLiga giants Real Madrid have also joined the race with all three sides having already contacted Bayern to enquire about the player.
    United are already well-stocked in full back areas, with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia occupying the left-back area and Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka the main right-backs.
    But Pavard comes with pedigree having won the World Cup in 2018 and the Champions League with Bayern in 2020.
    He has made 29 appearances at club level this term, scoring four goals and registering a single assist.
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    Despite Bayern’s season appearing to be heading towards a potential treble going into the March international break, it now looks set to end in major disappointment.
    The baffling decision to sack Julian Nagelsmann and replace him with Thomas Tuchel has been followed by an incredible collapse.
    The European powerhouse were quickly knocked out of the Champions League and German Cup.
    And they now face losing the league, which they have won consecutively for the last decade, if Dortmund win on the final day of the season. More

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    Jude Bellingham to Real Madrid is ‘IMMINENT’ as Dortmund star snubs Premier League transfer and agrees six-year deal

    JUDE BELLINGHAM’S move to Real Madrid is “imminent”, according to reports from Spanish media.The Borussia Dortmund and England man, 19, is understood to have agreed terms with the LaLiga giants as he prepares to sign a six-year deal.
    Jude Bellingham looks set to become a Real Madrid playerCredit: Getty
    Marca believe Bellingham to Real Madrid could be sealed after Dortmund’s final game on SaturdayCredit: Marca
    And he could be confirmed as a Los Blancos player as early as next week after the conclusion of the Bundesliga season.
    Dortmund will win their first German title in 11 years if they beat Mainz on Saturday – a game Bellingham could miss through injury.
    Nevertheless, it would be the perfect farewell for the teenager – who has been sensational for Dortmund since joining from Birmingham in 2020.
    He has contributed 14 goals and seven assists in 42 club appearances this season.
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    He was also sensational for England at the World Cup.
    And according to Marca, a “definitive” move to Real Madrid could come to fruition in the coming days.
    Representatives from the 14-time European champions recently flew over to Germany to discuss a transfer.
    His touch, vision and ability to burst into the area are all characteristics that have seduced Carlo Ancelotti’s men into aggressively pursuing the England international.
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    Jude Bellingham has been superb for Borussia Dortmund this season
    Bellingham’s contract offer from Real Madrid is said to be worth around £87million.
    And it is believed he has left more lucrative offers on the table in order to play for the club – with Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool all circling over the last 12 months.
    He will join up with fellow young midfielders Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni as they bid to finally shift veteran legends Luka Modric and Toni Kroos from the first team.
    But there is work for Real Madrid to do as the Copa del Rey is the only trophy they have managed to collect this season.
    Barcelona strolled to the LaLiga title, with Xavi’s men 11 points clear of Los Blancos ahead of the final two rounds of fixtures.
    And Ancelotti’s outfit were thrashed 5-1 on aggregate by Man City in the semi-finals of the Champions League. More

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    Man Utd boss Ten Hag gives update on Marcus Rashford contract ahead of Red Devils star becoming free agent next summer

    ERIK TEN HAG has given an update on Marcus Rashford’s contract situation.That’s with the Red Devils star potentially becoming a free agent in a year’s time.
    Erik ten Hag has provided an update over Marcus Rashford’s contract situationCredit: AFP
    Rashford, 25, scored his 30th goal of the season in yesterday’s 4-1 thrashing of Chelsea.
    The England star has enjoyed a stunning campaign for club and country after also scoring three times at the World Cup.
    But United fans fear they may end up losing their homegrown ace in the summer of 2024.
    Rashford’s contract is approaching its final year.
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    And United are yet to strike an agreement as they look to add Three Lions teammate Harry Kane to their squad.
    Boss Ten Hag has already told supporters to “trust the process.”
    And he now claims to have a “good feeling” about United’s latest round of contract talks with Rashford.
    Ten Hag said: “We are working on that. I have a good feeling about that.
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    “Marcus wants to stay. We want him to stay so we have to find each other.”
    Speaking earlier this month about contract talks, Ten Hag added: “I know but I don’t talk about the process. Let the process go.
    “Once again, this is not important at the moment for me or Rashy.
    “For him, it is to get more goals this season and he is playing a wonderful season.
    “Marcus wants to stay and we want him to stay, so I think we will find each other.” More

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    Gary Neville in disbelief that Chelsea have no Joao Felix transfer clause as ‘he’s the one option they need’

    GARY NEVILLE is in disbelief that Chelsea do not have the option to buy Joao Felix at the end of his loan move.The Portuguese forward joined the Blues in January in a temporary move away from LaLiga side Atletico Madrid.
    Gary Neville can’t believe Chelsea do not have an option to buy Joao FelixCredit: Getty
    The on-loan attacker has been a bright spark in a disappointing seasonCredit: AFP
    Felix was allowed to leave Atletico after he was believed to have fallen out with manager Diego Simeone.
    It is thought that the relationship between Felix and the Argentine became so tense that it had “broken”.
    Despite a turbulent start that saw Felix sent off against Fulham, he has been one bright spark for the club during their appalling second half of the season.
    The forward has netted four goals in 15 appearances in the Premier League.
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    But more than his goals, the 23-year-old has proved to be a threat against the league’s defences.
    Felix even managed to grab a great solo goal during the defeat to Manchester United as he carried the ball from the halfway line before slotting home.
    But pundit and former United star Neville is amazed that Chelsea do not have the option to buy him this summer.
    He said during commentary of the game at Old Trafford: “They’ve signed everyone but the one player they should have an option to buy on they haven’t got.”
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    Felix has hinted at a desire to stay at the club beyond his loan move as he lifted his shirt after scoring against Bournemouth.
    And the club have been linked with trying to purchase him in the summer.
    However, in a move to get the price down, there are reports suggesting that Chelsea will offer players as part of a swap deal.
    But as it currently stands, Felix will return to Spain at the end of the season.
    The Blues squad currently boasts 32 player and the new manager, believed to be Mauricio Pochettio, will have a say over trimming it down in the summer.
    Stars such as Mateo Kovacic, Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Edouard Mendy, Hakim Ziyech, Conor Gallagher and Kalidou Koulibaly could all be sold. More

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    Man Utd ‘on brink of £40m Kim Min-Jae transfer with Napoli star to fly to England as soon as window opens’

    MANCHESTER UNITED are “on the brink” of signing Napoli centre-back Kim Min-jae, reports suggest.United are understood to be willing to pay the £40million release clause in his contract which becomes active in July.
    Napoli defender Kim Min-jae could be set for Man UtdCredit: Rex
    Kim signed for £16m last summer, as a replacement for the Chelsea-bound Kalidou Koulibaly.
    And it seems the Italian champions are set to lose another defender to the Premier League.
    Nicknamed the “monster”, Kim played a crucial role as Napoli were crowned Serie A champions for the first time since 1990 this season.
    He started 34 Serie A matches so far this campaign, with Luciano Spalletti’s side conceding just 26 goals in the league.
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    And the South Korea international’s form has become one of the Red Devils’ key targets, as Erik Ten Hag looks to strengthen his central defensive options this summer.
    According to Corriere dello Sport the defender will fly to Manchester when the transfer window opens to finalise his move to Old Trafford.
    Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano added that United have begun talks with Kim to discuss contract, salary and housing arrangements.
    Attempts by Napoli to give Kim a new contract and remove the clause have proved unsuccessful.
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    However, it will see Napoli secure a major profit after a single season.
    This comes as United are reportedly ready to sell Harry Maguire and Diogo Dalot.
    Defenders Eric Bailly, Axel Tuanzebe and Alex Telles have all spent the current campaign on loan at Marseille, Stoke and Sevilla respectively.
    Kim can also count former United boss Jose Mourinho among his admirers, with the Roma manager describing him as a “top player” before a match against Napoli this season. More

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    Lucas Hernandez ‘agrees deal to join European giants’ but Bayern Munich could still block transfer

    BAYERN MUNICH could still put the block on Lucas Hernandez’s exit – despite reports he has agreed terms with Paris Saint-Germain.The defender, who can operate at left-back or more centrally, is about to enter the final 12 months of his contract.
    Lucas Hernandez has allegedly agreed terms with PSG but Bayern Munich want him to stayCredit: Getty
    The 2018 French World Cup winner, 27, arrived at Bayern from Atletico Madrid in a £68m deal.
    He has won both the Bundesliga three times since as well as the Champions League in 2020.
    But he is still recovering from the ACL tear he suffered for his country during France’s World Cup opener with Australia in November.
    And now that has raised serious questions over his future during this summer transfer window.
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    L’Equipe are now reporting that Hernandez and PSG sporting advisor Luis Campos have reached an agreement in principle over a potential contract.
    However, the publication also adds that Bayern Munich have ZERO intentions of letting him go.
    Hernandez has allegedly been offered a new four-year contract extension to stay in Germany.
    Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic has now also publicly revealed that he is willing to try and tie the star down with a new long-term package in order to keep him.
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    Now it seems that PSG face the tricky proposition of trying to convince Bayern to sell as Hernandez’s future hangs in the balance.
    Although L’Equipe also states that the player has so far made no indication that he wants to extend his stay. More