Ten Hag targets Chuamini in Man United’s main plot; Real Madrid is optimistic about Mbappe

Erik ten Hag eager to fix Manchester United midfield – ESPN’s Insider Notebook has the latest. PLUS: Kylian Mbappe’s confidence in Real Madrid.

jump to: Mbappe hopes for Madrid amid pressure from Paris Saint-Germain | Conti eyes spending spree | Ten Hag surprise in Leipzig |

Ten Hag is targeting Chomini

Eric Ten Hag, who is set to take over at Manchester United, is keen to sign the Monaco midfielder. Aurelien Chuaminisources told ESPN.

Ten Hag discussed his thoughts on the United squad as part of his job interview at Old Trafford last month and official confirmation of his appointment could come as early as the end of April.

United’s recruitment department has also finalized the shortlists of players at each position for the summer transfer window, and will allow Tin Hag to deliver on his own. Among them is Chwamini, a 22-year-old midfielder who is enjoying a fantastic season in Ligue 1. Initially impressed under former Monaco coach Niko Kovac, Chuamini has raised his level of play even further under Philippe Clement, following his arrival in January.

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Monaco are open to negotiations over their rising star’s move this summer and will ask for a transfer fee of 60-70 million euros. Sources told ESPN that PSG are interested in the Frenchman but added that in the current situation he would prefer to stay away from France. Chelsea have also made contact with Chuamini’s and Monaco’s agent but United may have the upper hand over their Premier League rivals given the uncertainty over the club’s ownership at the moment.

Chwamini can play in every position in midfield – from holding position to more box-to-box position – and that versatility is what appeals to Ten Hag.

The next manager will probably lose Paul Pogba, who is set to leave the club at the end of his contract this summer, while there are question marks over the future of many players at Old Trafford. of between it Eric BaileyWho is looking to leave, according to sources. The defender has not started a game since December and has been left out of the squad for the tour by interim coach Ralf Rangnick in his last two matches against Leicester and Everton despite his full fitness.

Bayley, who signed a new contract in April 2021, has been frustrated by the lack of opportunities and wants to play football regularly elsewhere. – Julian Lorenz and Rob Dawson

Madrid’s confidence Mbappe amid the pressure of Paris Saint-Germain

Real Madrid is optimistic about the signing Kylian Mbappe This summer, sources told ESPN, although the club is aware that Paris Saint-Germain is trying to persuade its star striker to extend his contract.

Mbappe has always been Real Madrid’s primary target, and after they failed with a late bid to sign him from Paris Saint-Germain last August, the La Liga giants are the favorites to sign him on a free transfer this year when his deal expires in June. The France international has come under ever-increasing pressure from PSG to renew, admitting earlier this month that he had “new elements” to consider, insisting he had not made a decision on his future yet.

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Sources told ESPN that despite the comments, Real Madrid remain cautiously optimistic that their long-running pursuit of Mbappe – which began when he went on trial at the club in 2012, met boyhood idols Zinedine Zidane and… Cristiano RonaldoAnd again when he left Monaco for PSG in 2017 – he’ll finally end up signing him this summer.

Mbappe has been in great shape with PSG in recent weeks, scoring 10 goals in his last eight Ligue 1 matches, including a hat-trick in Saturday’s 6-1 win over Clermont.

He shone through both legs of PSG’s Champions League last-16 elimination by Real Madrid, scoring in a 1-0 win at Parc des Princes on 15 February and putting PSG 2-0 on aggregate at the Bernabéu. On March 9 before Karim BenzemaHattrick in the second half turned the game in favor of Madrid.

There is also optimism about a contract renewal for another player who starred that night – and against Chelsea this week – a midfielder Luka Modric.

The Croatian has shown some of the best form of his career with Real Madrid this season at the age of 36, and sources told ESPN that although no agreement has been reached yet, the Croatian’s deal is expected to extend his stay at the Bernabeu for another season. – Alex Kirkland and Rodry Fayez

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Gap Marcotti discusses what could influence Kylian Mbappe’s decision regarding his future at Paris Saint-Germain.

Conte prepares to tilt the title with Spurs spending spree

Tottenham are already set to allocate €80m for loan signings Christian Romero And Diane Kulusevsky permanent, but the club are planning to support Antonio Conte more this summer as he tries to turn Tottenham into contenders for the Premier League title, sources told ESPN.

Conte has publicly indicated that North Londoners will pay Atalanta’s €55m flat fee for Romero while sources have told ESPN that he is pressing to formalize Kulusevski’s temporary transfer from Juventus by making the option to buy the winger for €30m.

Conte has ambitious plans to reform his squad as sources indicate that a right-back, central defender, midfielder, a reserve striker and a reserve goalkeeper are his main priorities; A roster of senior Tottenham Hotspurs they would in principle support despite the club posting a pre-tax loss of £80.2m in their latest financial figures last November.

Spurs’ budget will be affected by whether they qualify for next season’s Champions League and whether they can raise value from the many players deemed redundant – among them Tanguy Ndombele And Brian Gillboth on loan to Lyon and Valencia respectively – but there is recognition that there is a big transfer window ahead to satisfy Conte as well as maintain the striker’s lead. Harry King Happy in the club.

Kane pressured Spurs to leave last summer, frustrated by the lack of trophies, but club president Daniel Levy rejected Manchester City’s interest. Spurs’ chances of avoiding another lengthy squabble this summer appear to have improved with now reports of City turning their attention to Borussia Dortmund. Erling Haaland.

Manchester United were also expected to go after Kane if they appointed ex-Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino as their next Spurs boss, but Eric ten Hag’s impending arrival in the hot seat at Old Trafford means it’s unclear whether they will try to banish him.

Regardless, Tottenham’s statement of market intent will help convince Kane that he can win trophies at the club. – James Ole

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Mark Ogden feels Manchester United will need the full support of Eric ten Hag if he is to prove the right choice for the club.

Leipzig confused by Ten Hag rumors

Sources told ESPN that the Manchester United hierarchy was in no hurry to agree with Erik ten Hag to become the club’s next manager through the reported interest from Leipzig, although some within Old Trafford believed the links with the German side had been engineered as a negotiating tactic.

Tin Hag is set to be appointed as the new permanent coach, with an announcement scheduled before the end of the season and possibly later this month. United’s hunt for new director of football John Murtaugh and technical director Darren Fletcher, who reported to chief executive Richard Arnold, was led by co-chairman Joel Glazer who made the final decision on the appointment.

The framework of the deal has been agreed with the Dutchman amid reports that RB Leipzig may look to spoil the deal. But sources close to Leipzig insist she was puzzled by the links while stressing her support for President Domenico Tedesco.

The sources added that Leipzig considered Ten Hag as a candidate after his dismissal Jesse March in December but was impressed with the results under Tedesco since his appointment. Leipzig only lost once in 2022 – to Bayern Munich in February – and has remained in both the European League and German Cup.

United’s plan has always been to make a decision on their next manager before the end of April to allow the new man to influence the summer hiring. – Rob Dawson