Man Utd ‘fear’ missing out on ‘ideal’ signing again but Ten Hag targets two replacements for starter
Harry Kane would be ‘ideal’ but Man Utd know how stubborn Spurs will be over the striker this summer. Finding a David de Gea replacement should be easier.
KANE DANGLE
Someone call Charlie Kane, the team that works on Gary Neville’s YouTube show and The Sun’s head office, because we’re about to party like it’s summer 2021.
With a year left on his Tottenham contract, the Harry Kane situation has rarely been more clear. Spurs either sell him now to make some actual money, or retain the services of the Premier League’s greatest guarantee of goals outside of Thor: shoves and thunderbolts.
And that really is the only decision. Beyond whether or not he signs a new contract, this is not Kane’s call to make. And with such a deal unlikely to be struck, Daniel Levy has masterfully manoeuvred himself between a rock and a hard place. Worra negotiator.
Man Utd would quite like to solve his problem, take Kane off Tottenham’s hands and keep building towards a potential title-challenging squad. But they ‘fear they are facing a losing battle’ in that respect.
John Cross of the Daily Mirror says Tottenham ‘are determined to fight to keep’ Kane this summer, even if he ‘is unlikely to sign a new deal’. Spurs reckon ‘they can play on his loyalty and persuade him to stay,’ which won’t be necessary. The bloke has a contract and will honour it. If Spurs decide he is staying for another season, he is staying for another season.
The ‘growing feeling’ at Man Utd is that Kane, while an ‘ideal’ signing, will be unattainable once more, meaning other targets must be pursued. Victor Osimhen is ‘firmly on their radar’ and Goncalo Ramos is of interest.
TAKE YOUR PICK
A striker is not the only thing Man Utd need this summer; David de Gea’s continued struggles with the concept of hands has brought the idea of changing goalkeepers back to the forefront of Old Trafford minds.
Jeremy Cross of the Daily Star suggests that any shortlist for a new No.1 would contain the name of Jordan Pickford, who ‘would be expected to leave’ if Everton are relegated.
Sean Dyche has guided the Toffees above the drop zone but not quite clear of danger, yet even if Everton survive the belief is that the offer of ‘bigger wages and the chance to compete for trophies’ would tempt Pickford, who signed a four-and-a-half-year Goodison Park contract in February.
THE BART, THE
Another option would be to phase De Gea out gradually instead of immediately replacing him. The idea of Dean Henderson returning from his Nottingham Forest loan to compete for a place has been floated around, but an external solution would bring less baggage than someone who has made his frustrations with Man Utd public in the past.
Erik ten Hag also absolutely loves signing Dutch people or players with ties to the Eredivisie, so former NAC Breda keeper and Netherlands youth international Bart Verbruggen sounds perfect.
The 20-year-old is currently doing saves and that for Anderlecht and the Manchester Evening News claims Verbruggen has ‘interested’ Man Utd as a result.
Vincent Kompany gave the keeper his debut in Belgium and Verbruggen was called up to the Dutch national team in March to watch Jasper Cillessen somehow keep a clean sheet against Gibraltar.