Having been surreptitiously filmed in his local pub telling a handful of fans that Manchester United have “[effing] burned through cash”, as he got in front of a planned protest outside his house at the weekend, the club’s chief executive, Richard Arnold, could torch more currency during his first transfer window in charge of the club’s kitty. United want to sign the Brazilian striker Evanilson but have had an opening bid of more than £50m rejected by Porto, who want considerably more.
Having also been knocked back by the whelpish Ajax central defender Jurrien Timber, who has no interest in leaving the Dutch champions before the World Cup, United are ready to court the 20-year-old’s teammate Lisandro Martínez instead. Heavily linked with Arsenal, who are believed to have had a £26m bid for the 24-year-old Argentinian rejected by Ajax, Martínez may fancy joining his former boss Erik ten Hag. In other news pertaining to United, defenders Brandon Williams and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have been told they are surplus to Ten Hag’s requirements and are free to seek alternative employment elsewhere.
Leeds are resigned to losing their star winger Raphina, who is reported to be “very close” to inking a £43m deal to sign for Arsenal. With Kalvin Phillips also expected to leave Elland Road for Manchester City, Jesse Marsch is in need of replacements for two of the best players in his squad. The American has already identified Club Brugge’s Dutch winger Noa Lang, who is also wanted by West Ham and Milan, as a replacement for Raphina, while Leipzig defensive midfielder Tyler Adams could be given the unenviable task of filling the big boots vacated by Phillips.
Chelsea have joined the orderly queue of clubs hoping to sign Richarlison from Everton, but will have to beat Arsenal and Tottenham in the bidding war to secure the Brazilian striker’s scrawl. Richarlison has made it clear he wishes to leave Goodison Park and seems likely to do so, but his current employers are looking for a transfer fee north of £50m.
West Ham are ready to offer £30m for the Chelsea striker Armando Broja, who has just enjoyed a fairly impressive breakout season on loan at Southampton. The Saints boss, Ralph Hasenhüttl, is also keen on holding on to the Albanian international who scored nine goals in 38 appearances last season, although the current uncertainty around who is in charge of hiring and firing at Chelsea means his whereabouts next season are unlikely to be confirmed any time soon.
After agitating unsuccessfully for a move away from Manchester City last season, Bernardo Silva remains unsettled and wants to leave the Premier League champions. While Pep Guardiola remains cautiously optimistic the playmaker, so instrumental in City’s latest title win, will stay at the Etihad Stadium, he has intimated he will not stand in his way should he wish to leave for Barcelona or elsewhere.
“Right now I think Bernardo will continue with us,” he said on Monday, at the announcement of a charity friendly between the two clubs to be played two weeks into the season. “Our goal, as a club, is for him to stay with us, but I have always said I don’t want players that don’t want to be with us. But Bernardo is important and I think he will stay. It’s true he could be with Barça, I don’t know what will happen.”
