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A new target has emerged to replace Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager, with the "excellent" boss in question a serial winner who FSG could offer an eye-catching salary to.

Liverpool manager latest

It still seems scarcely believable that Klopp isn't going to be in charge at Anfield after this season, with the German one of the greatest figures in the history of the club. Sunday's EFL Cup final win over Chelsea was the latest display of his genius, as he masterminded a dramatic 1-0 win with a host of youngsters on the pitch.

Whoever comes in to replace the 56-year-old is going to have such a tough job on their hands, with Klopp potentially leaving one of the biggest voids a manager ever has in the English game.

Xabi Alonso continues to stand out as the favourite to take over from the German, with the former Liverpool midfielder working wonders at Bayer Leverkusen, not yet tasting defeat in the Bundesliga this season.

He is not the only potential target being looked at, however, and it appears as though the Reds are going down the route of looking at Europe's most exciting young bosses. Former Bayern Munich and current Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann is seen as an option, and the same applies to Sporting CP's highly-rated leader Ruben Amorim.

Now, another new name has been thrown into the hat, as Liverpool keep their options open in the hunt to find Klopp's successor.

Liverpool interested in Simone Inzaghi

According to Tuttosport on Tuesday [via Football Italia], Liverpool and FSG are interested in Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi, with Manchester United and Chelsea also keen on snapping him up.

The update from the latter states that the Italian currently "earns €5.5m (£4.7m) net per season plus add-ons, adding that "the Premier League offers could reach around €8m-€9m (£6.8m-£7.7m) per year, figures his Italian club are unlikely to match."

Inzaghi certainly represents an intriguing option for Liverpool, considering how much he has already achieved in the game, winning three Italian Cups – two with Inter and one with Lazio. He has also been hailed by former defender Lele Adani, who has said of him:

"Simone Inzaghi is an excellent coach who continues to evolve. I believe his team’s performances and results speak for him."

Simone Inzaghi's trophy wins as a manager	Year
Italian Cup (Inter Milan)	2023
Italian Cup (Inter Milan)	2022
Italian Cup (Lazio)	2019
Italian Super Cup (Inter Milan)	2024
Italian Super Cup (Inter Milan)	2023
Italian Super Cup (Inter Milan)	2022
Italian Super Cup (Lazio)	2020
Italian Super Cup (Lazio)	2018

The 47-year-old likes to adopt a 3-5-2 system that gets the best out of wing-backs, which could see the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Bradley and Andy Robertson shine at Liverpool, and the job he is doing at Inter currently speaks for itself, with the Nerazzurri top of Serie A by nine points with a game in hand.

Jurgen Klopp "pretty sure" Liverpool star will sign new long-term contract

This would go down so well with Reds supporters.

By
Henry Jackson

Feb 27, 2024

Plenty may feel as though Alonso is the best choice to replace Klopp, however, given his reputation as a special young coach, highlighted by his brilliance in charge at Leverkusen. His Liverpool past helps, too – but plenty of supporters could also see sense in Inzaghi being appointed, making this one to watch.

Warwickshire wicketkeeper played 11 Tests for England

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Jul-2020Tim Ambrose, the Warwickshire wicketkeeper, has announced that he will retire from professional cricket at the end of the 2020 season.Ambrose, who will turn 38 in December, has played more than 500 professional games across his career, including 11 Tests and six limited-overs internationals for England.Born in New South Wales, Ambrose’s British passport opened up a route into county cricket which he took up as a 17-year-old when he joined Sussex. He faced a battle with Matt Prior to be the club’s first-choice wicketkeeper, and regularly managed to displace him from the side, but left for Warwickshire at the end of the 2005 season to secure first-team cricket.Following a prolific 2007 season, England’s selectors took notice and included him in the Test squad for the winter tour of New Zealand. He looked like a long-term option as England’s wicketkeeper when he made a doughty half-century on debut in Hamilton and followed it up with 102 in his second Test, but he was overtaken by Prior and returned to the county ranks.ALSO READ: Warwickshire size up move for Bess as Patel successorHis form dipped significantly in 2010, a season in which he later revealed he had been suffering from depression, but Warwickshire kept him on, and he played a vital role in their title two years later. He also featured during their T20 Blast triumph in 2014, and in their promotion back to Division One a year later.Ambrose said that he “fully intends” to play a full role in whatever season is possible this year, though he will face competition from Michael Burgess, the wicketkeeper brought in from Sussex last year who looks set to be his successor.”I will say the usual words of “honour” and “privilege” but will know that to me they don’t quite convey my gratitude for the opportunity I have had,” Ambrose said in a statement.Ambrose was part of the Division Two-winning side in 2018•Getty Images”It is a difficult thing to accept as I would love to play another 20 years if it was at all possible but it is the right time for this talented, energetic and ambitious young squad to move forward and make their own mark. I have always tried to put the club and the team first and to not make this decision now would go against that.”I have too many people to thank but would like to take this opportunity to thank the Club, the members and the supporters, many of whom have shared in my experiences; like the gentleman who said “keep going Tim we’re all behind you” as I lumbered up the steps after getting out softly for another low score in 2010.”I later understood I was in a spell of depression at that time, but that man’s voice cut through the haze and white noise in my head and that small gesture of encouragement from an anonymous supporter was a genuine motivator for me to return to Warwickshire and repay the people who believed in me.”Paul Farbrace, Warwickshire’s sport director, said: “Tim has been one of the great wicketkeeper-batsmen of the modern game and he will retire at the end of this year as a true Warwickshire legend.”He’s a model professional and, by playing out the 2020 season, we will ensure that he has a very fitting farewell before he moves on to his next challenge. We thank him for his outstanding efforts for Warwickshire CCC and wish him the very best for this upcoming 2020 season and in his future career.”

da aviator aposta： Liverpool appear to have conceded defeat in the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso, who looks set to stay put in Germany and continue his journey with Die Werkself, who are ten points clear in the Bundesliga title race, into the late stage of the DFB Pokal and Europa League and are undefeated in all competitions.

da 888casino： FSG's new CEO of Football Michael Edwards appears to be calm in the face of adversity, however, anticipating this and drawing up some exciting alternatives.

Liverpool's Alonso alternatives

Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim is the clear favourite to take over at Anfield, should Liverpool miss out on Alonso, though he does have a €30m (£26m) release clause in his contract.

The other likely option appears to be Brighton & Hove Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi, who is widely understood to be one of the frontrunners to succeed Klopp, albeit behind Alonso and Amorim on the list.

Why Roberto De Zerbi would succeed at Liverpool

Klopp described De Zerbi's Brighton as "the best-coached team in the league", and while appointing the former Italian footballer might seem like a downgrade, he is proven in the Premier League and one of the best options on the market.

De Zerbi succeeded Graham Potter at the Amex and led the south coast club to their first European campaign, falling in the round of 16 against Roma.

While the Seagulls have endured a tougher domestic season this year, likely a by-product of the added strain of continental competition, they are just two points off seventh-placed West Ham United (who hover over the Conference League spot) having played a game less.

De Zerbi's record vs Klopp

Games

4

Wins

2

Draws

2

Losses

0

Goals scored

10

Goals against

6

Stats via Transfermarkt.

Moreover, De Zerbi has a fantastic record over Klopp's Liverpool, actually avoiding defeat across all four contests. This bears testament to the 44-year-old's slick, rehearsed philosophy, suffocating opposition and overpowering defenders and midfielders with finely woven passing patterns.

It doesn't always pay off, this high-risk, high-reward system has bred eight errors leading to goals in the Premier League this season, the division's joint-highest alongside Sheffield United.

Still, Liverpool don't exactly play conservative football under Klopp's management and while De Zerbi implements a differing, more pass-heavy style of play, the Reds have the wits and tactical wherewithal to succeed under his guidance.

Perfect for Harvey Elliott

De Zerbi's astuteness in his tactical work could be perfect for creative, fluid players such as Harvey Elliott, who is still only 20 years old but now teeters on the cusp of a starring role in Liverpool's team.

The England U21 international has been in fine form for club and country in recent months and is starting to blend it all together, with his natural swagger and style wrought into something highly effective.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 1% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 5% for shot-creating actions, the top 6% for progressive passes, the top 3% for progressive carries and the top 1% for total shots taken per 90.

Such statistics speak of his elite ball-centred qualities that will serve him well as he fights for a prominent role at the forefront of the Premier League.

De Zerbi's slick, possession-heavy style could actually suit Elliott well, maximising his playmaking abilities and nurturing the flame that flickers so brightly this season.

Pep Guardiola, revered Manchester City manager, remarked that De Zerbi is "one of the most influential managers in the last 20 years", hailing his "unique" style of football, and while he doesn't boast the eminence and popularity of a gaffer such as Alonso, there's every chance that he will continue to flourish.

Related Liverpool have their very own Endrick brewing in "special" teen talent

This rising star might even prove to be a bigger talent than Harvey Elliott.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Mar 29, 2024

While it's a risk, Liverpool could do much worse than appoint the Brighton boss.

Mary Earps has shown off the French homework she is working through at Paris Saint-Germain, with the England goalkeeper posting a “send help” message.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Keeper has stepped out of comfort zone
• New challenge after leaving WSL
• Busy working on learning another language

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  After five years at Manchester United, the Euro 2022 winner has taken on a new challenge in France. She has stepped out of her comfort zone before, when spending time in Germany with Wolfsburg, and is excited to be doing so once again.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Earps has already been throwing herself into early training sessions, with the 31-year-old eager to make a positive first impression in France. She has been laughing and joking with new team-mates – as many of those are able to speak English.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Earps is, however, keen to ensure that she can communicate fully on and off the field as quickly as possible. That means getting to grips with a new language, and the Lionesses star has revealed how many words and phrases she needs to pick up in football circles.

  Instagram

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• WHAT NEXT?

  The two-time FIFA Best Women’s Goalkeeper has never been one to back down from a challenge, so can be expected to be multi-lingual in a matter of weeks. Time is still on her side, with PSG not due to start their 2024-25 campaign until September 21 – with a number of friendly fixtures, including one against West Ham, to be taken in prior to that.

Southampton are believed to be battling a number of Premier League clubs for the signing of a "flamboyant" playmaker, according to a fresh transfer update.

Southampton eyeing new signings

Saints are still very much in the mix to be promoted from the Championship this season, even though their form has dipped of late, losing three of their last five league games. There is work to do to make up ground on Leeds and Ipswich, but it is all to play for.

Regardless of whether Southampton are back in the Premier League or not next term, new signings will be arriving at St Mary's stadium, in order to improve the squad depth at Russell Martin's disposal.

Udinese midfielder Festy Ebosele is one individual who has been linked with Saints, with the 21-year-old making 26 appearances in Serie A in 2023/24 to date. Admittedly, no goals or assists have come his way, but he is predominantly used in a defence-minded midfield role, averaging 1.2 tackles per game in the league.

In defence, Southampton are believed to be keen on making Taylor Harwood-Bellis' loan move from Manchester City a permanent one, having been impressive throughout the current campaign, completing 93.1% of his passes and averaging 3.3 clearances per game for good measure.

Southampton want exciting attacker

According to a new update from Tutto Juve [via Sport Witness], Southampton are interested in signing Juventus attacker Samuel Iling-Junior this summer.

Saints are joined by Premier League pair West Ham and Brighton are also keen on snapping up the 20-year-old, and Juve "could accept even €12m (£10.2m)" for him at the end of the season.

Iling-Junior represents such an eye-catching option for Southampton this summer, and the fact that they are rivalling Premier League clubs for him says a lot about his quality as a player.

England Under-21s

3

0

England Under-20s

6

2

England Under-19s

7

1

England Under-17s

5

0

England Under-16s

13

2

England Under-15s

1

0

This season, the 20-year-old has had to accept playing a squad role for Juve, given the depth that exists in their squad, but he has still managed to bag one goal and two assists in Serie A, having only started once. Journalist Michele Neri has called him an "assist machine", but he's not had the chance to show that in Italy.

Southampton's Nathan Jones signing has seen his value plummet by £12m

This expensive Nathan Jones signing is yet to kick on at Southampton.

ByKelan Sarson Mar 4, 2024

Meanwhile, football talent scout Jacek Kulig has called him "flamboyant", and at just 20 years of age, he should only improve as the years pass, as he steadily approaches his prime.

Iling-Junior has also won 35 caps for England at youth team level, showing that he has been a highly-rated player for some time, and the chance to be a regular at a new club could appeal more than invariably warming the substitutes' bench in Turin moving forward.

Coach Hilton Moreeng claims that “the players we have at our disposal are some of the best” in the world

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Jan-2020South Africa’s players received a rousing send off to the Women’s World T20 next month with their coach Hilton Moreeng claiming that “the players we have at our disposal are some of the best” in the world.Dane van Niekerk, who has not played a T20I since February 2019, leads a full-strength squad, 11 of whom were part of the last edition of the tournament. Back then, South Africa won only two of their four group matches and couldn’t make the cut for the semi-finals.ESPNcricinfo LtdSune Luus had taken temporary charge of South Africa over the past few months, leading the side to a series win over Pakistan and a loss to India. She takes up her usual role as lead spinner now that van Niekerk has proven her fitness – she was sidelined by a thigh injury – by playing a a key role for the Sydney Sixers in the 2019 Women’s Big Bash League.South Africa are well stocked in the fast bowling department with Shabnim Ismail and Marizanne Kapp set to continue a very successful partnership with the new ball. On the batting side of things, Laura Wolvaardt and Lizelle Lee form a solid top two with Chloe Tryon providing firepower down the order.”It’s a group that has the talent, youth, experience and desire to help us win the T20 World Cup,” Moreeng said at an event in Johannesburg on Monday. “We have assembled a team that we feel can hold their own against anyone in the world and it will be important that we carry that belief into the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.Graeme Smith, CSA’s acting director of cricket, pointed to the players’ experience in the franchise circuit as he wished them well for the tournament which starts on February 21. “Many of our senior players are household names in T20 tournaments in Australia and England and they will set the tone for the rest of the team.”There were a couple of relatively new faces as well: left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba, who made her T20I debut in September 2019, and Nondumiso Shangase, who will be looking to add to the four T20Is against her name.

Well, who saw that one coming then? When the stage was set for a primetime Chelsea meltdown in the FA Cup, Mauricio Pochettino's Blues put in a performance that very few, if anyone, thought they could.

The Argentine made three changes to the team who were put to the sword by Wolverhampton Wanderers just a few days ago, but with how they played, you'd be forgiven for thinking it was an entirely different squad.

Chelsea-aston-villa-fa-cup

Aston Villa away is about as tough a fixture as any at the moment, but where Manchester City and Arsenal fell to defeat within a week, the Pensioners left as conquerors – at least for now.

The result in and of itself does little to change the club's season, but the performance was incredibly encouraging, and while Conor Gallagher opened the scoring before Nicolas Jackson doubled their lead, it's Chelsea's mercurial World Cup winner Enzo Fernández who deserves to be lauded after last night.

Enzo Fernández's performance in numbers

Now, that was the sort of performance you expect from a player that costs £107m, and it came at just the right moment for the Argentinian magician. The last few days have seen countless rumours, leaks, and stories about his supposed unhappiness in west London spring up, with some even suggesting he might leave in the summer.

Well, based on the former Benfica gem's celebration following his spectacular free-kick, it feels like those were, in fact, just rumours, and if the 23-year-old can start delivering performances like that with any regularity, then the fans will demand he stays forever.

While his goal will naturally grab the headlines given its sheer brilliance, his all-round play was unreal on the night, so much so that football.london's Bobby Vincent gave him a 9/10, describing him as a 'joy to watch a Villa Park.'

The midfield "monster", as football writer Amos Murphy once dubbed him, maintained a passing accuracy of 91%, won three ground tackles, completed all five of his long balls and took 62 touches.

That said, for as extraordinary a performance as it was – and it really was – there was another Chelsea player who deserves just as much credit and has gone from zero to hero in the space of a week, Malo Gusto.

Malo Gusto's performance in numbers

Following the game against Wolves on Sunday, it seemed like a sure thing that Gusto would be dropped for last night's game.

After all, he conceded a penalty and was given a 3/10 by the Standard's Nizaar Kinsella for 'putting Chelsea in danger with his passing.'

However, sometimes Premier League managers do, in fact, know better than the fans, and so Pochettino started the young Frenchman, and what a decision that was.

The former Lyon gem played all 94 minutes of the clash, and aside from the first two minutes or so, he was imperious in both attack and defence.

Football.london's Vincent gave the 20-year-old a 9/10 on the night and credited his early block on Alex Moreno and his assist for Nicolas Jackson's goal in the 21st minute for why.

Journalist Ben Jacobs was also full of praise for the full-back, arguing that he was "outstanding for Chelsea", and looking at his numbers from last night, it'd be hard to disagree.

Chelsea could've signed perfect Jackson upgrade and Palmer partner in one

The 25-year-old would have given the Blues a chance for European qualification.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Feb 6, 2024

In his 94 minutes of action, he took 73 touches – more than Enzo – provided one assist, made two clearances, one interception, one tackle, made one key pass and won three of his five ground duels, all while maintaining a passing accuracy of 89%.

Minutes played

94

Assists

1

Touches

73

Clearances

2

Interceptions

1

Tackles

1

Accurate passes

49/55 (89%)

Key passes

1

Ground Duels (won)

5 (3)

In all, it was about a perfect comeback as the Décines-Charpieu-born dynamo could have hoped for, and while it would be unfair to expect him to perform like that every single game, he could make a real name for himself at Chelsea by just getting close.

Chennai Super Kings

Released players: Chaitanya Bishnoi, David Willey, Dhruv Shorey, Mohit Sharma, Sam Billings, Scott KuggeleijnSquad: Ambati Rayudu , KM Asif, Deepak Chahar, Dwayne Bravo, Faf du Plessis, Harbhajan Singh, Imran Tahir, Jagadeesan Narayan, Karn Sharma, Kedar Jadhav, Lungi Ngidi, Mitchell Santner, Monu Singh, MS Dhoni, M Vijay, Ravindra Jadeja, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shane Watson, Shardul Thakur, Suresh RainaPlayer slots left: Five (three domestic, two overseas)Money spent: 70.40 crPurse remaining: 14.60 cr

Delhi Capitals

BCCI

Released players: Ankush Bains, B Ayyappa, Chris Morris, Colin Ingram, Colin Munro, Hanuma Vihari, Jalaj Saxena, Manjot Kalra, Nathu SinghSquad: Ajinkya Rahane, Amit Mishra, Avesh Khan, Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, Ishant Sharma, Kagiso Rabada, Keemo Paul, Prithvi Shaw, R Ashwin, Rishabh Pant, Sandeep Lamichhane, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas IyerPlayer slots left: 11 (six domestic, five overseas)Money spent: 57.15 crPurse remaining: 27.85 cr

Kings XI Punjab

BCCI

Released players: Agnivesh Ayachi, Andrew Tye, David Miller, Moises Henriques, Prabhsimran Singh, Sam Curran, Varun ChakaravarthySquad: Arshdeep Singh, Chris Gayle, Darshan Nalkande, K Gowtham, Hardus Viljoen, Harpreet Brar, Jagadeesha Suchith, Karun Nair, KL Rahul, Mandeep Singh, Mayank Agarwal, Mohammed Shami, Mujeeb ur Rahman, M Ashwin, Nicholas Pooran, Sarfaraz KhanPlayer slots left: Nine (five domestic, four overseas)Money spent: 42.30 crPurse remaining: 42.70 cr

Kolkata Knight Riders

BCCI

Released players: Anrich Nortje, Carlos Brathwaite, Chris Lynn, Joe Denly, KC Cariappa, Matt Kelly, Nikhil Naik, Piyush Chawla, Prithvi Raj Yarra, Robin Uthappa, Shrikant MundheSquad: Andre Russell, Dinesh Karthik, Harry Gurney, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Kuldeep Yadav, Lockie Ferguson, Nitish Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Rinku Singh, Sandeep Warrier, Shivam Mavi, Shubman Gill, Siddhesh Lad, Sunil NarinePlayer slots left: 11 (seven domestic, four overseas)Money spent: 49.35 crPurse remaining: 35.65 cr

Mumbai Indians

BCCI

Released players: Adam Milne, Alzarri Joseph, Barinder Sran, Ben Cutting, Beuran Hendricks, Evin Lewis, Jason Behrendorff, Pankaj Jaswal, Rasikh Dar, Yuvraj SinghSquad: Aditya Tare, Anmolpreet Singh, Anukul Roy, Dhawal Kulkarni, Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan, Jasprit Bumrah, Jayant Yadav, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Lasith Malinga, Mitchell McCleneghan, Quinton de Kock, Rahul Chahar, Rohit Sharma, Sherfane Rutherford, Suryakumar Yadav, Trent BoultPlayer slots left: Seven (five domestic, two overseas)Money spent: 71.95 crPurse remaining: 13.05 cr

Rajasthan Royals

BCCI

Released players: Aryaman Birla, Ashton Turner, Ish Sodhi, Jaydev Unadkat, Liam Livingstone, Oshane Thomas, Prashant Chopra, Rahul Tripathi, Shubham Ranjane, Stuart Binny, Sudhesan MidhunSquad: Ankit Rajpoot, Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler, Mahipal Lomror, Manan Vohra, Mayank Markande, Rahul Tewatia, Riyan Parag, Sanju Samson, Shashank Singh, Shreyas Gopal, Steven Smith, Varun AaronPlayer slots left: 11 (Seven domestic, four overseas)Money spent: 56.10 crPurse remaining: 28.90 cr

Royal Challengers Bangalore

BCCI

Released players: Akshdeep Nath, Colin de Grandhomme, Dale Steyn, Heinrich Klassen, Himmat Singh, Kulwant Khejroliya, Marcus Stoinis, Milind Kumar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Prayas Ray Barman, Shimron Hetmyer, Tim SoutheeSquad: AB de Villiers, Devdutt Padikkal, Gurkeerat Singh, Moeen Ali, Mohammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini, Parthiv Patel, Pawan Negi, Shivam Dube, Umesh Yadav, Virat Kohli, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra ChahalPlayer slots left: 12 (six domestic, six overseas)Money spent: 57.10 crPurse remaining: 27.90 cr

Sunrisers Hyderabad

BCCI

Released players: Deepak Hooda, Martin Guptill, Ricky Bhui, Shakib Al Hasan, Yusuf PathanSquad: Abhishek Sharma, Basil Thampi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Billy Stanlake, David Warner, Jonny Bairstow, Kane Williamson, Manish Pandey, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Sandeep Sharma, Shahbaz Nadeem, Shreevats Goswami, Siddarth Kaul, Khaleel Ahmed, T Natarajan, Vijay Shankar, Wriddhiman SahaPlayer slots left: Seven (five domestic, two overseas)Money spent: 68 crPurse remaining: 17 cr

Manchester United have been boosted in their efforts to sign Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong this summer following a fresh transfer update.

The Lowdown: United linked with De Jong move

Erik ten Hag has been confirmed as the Red Devils’ new manager ahead of next season, with the Dutchman hopefully making numerous good signings in the summer as they look to improve drastically in the Premier League.

One player with whom United have been linked is De Jong, with the 24-year-old impressing for Barcelona this season, chipping in with three goals and three assists in La Liga.

A fresh update further suggests that Ten Hag could get his man, with the pair having worked together during a successful spell at Ajax.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-liverpool-transfer-news-29/” title=”Latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Latest: Journalist provides De Jong update

Speaking on El Chiringuito [via Barca Universal],  journalist Jose Alvarez claimed that Barca would be happy to let De Jong leave if a €70m (£58.9m) offer were to arrive on their desk.

The Dutchman’s current deal at Camp Nou expires in the summer of 2026.

The Verdict: Sign him up, Erik

De Jong could be a perfect summer signing for United, with midfield an area which has often come in for criticism at Old Trafford.

The Netherlands international would bring poise and control in the middle of the park, enjoying a 91.4% pass completion rate in La Liga this season, along with being hailed as ‘extraordinary’ by his manager Xavi.

De Jong joining United would feel like a statement signing, and the fact that he and Ten Hag know each other so well would further suggest that it would be a match made in heaven.

In other news, Erik ten Hag is reportedly keen on bringing a Premier League player to United. Read more here.

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