Man Utd could ‘finally’ sign Dutch target as Silva is linked to Barcelona

The latest Premier League transfer rumours with news from Man United, Newcastle, Arsenal and Man City

Caught Offside have caught wind of reports from Spain which suggest that Manchester United could ‘finally’ get their hands on a player that they’ve coveted for a very long time indeed – Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong.

With the Dutchman entering the last couple of years of his contract, it seems that Barca have decided to move De Jong on in favour of finding someone new, and that opens the door for United to move on a player they tried to sign shortly after Erik ten Hag took over. Ten Hag is ‘an admirer’ of the midfielder, and apparently they have agreed to pay £77 million for his services.

The 3AM Verdict: We’re more than a bit suspicious of the claim that the two clubs have already agreed a transfer fee, especially when you consider that there’s a pretty high chance that Ten Hag isn’t in charge at Old Trafford for much longer.

Sticking with a Barcelona theme, Caught Offside also reckon that they know who the Catalans have lined up to replace De Jong if he does leave – Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva.

That could be bad news for Arsenal after rumours went around that they were in the market for Silva too. Apparently, Arsenal are more likely to target Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise or Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Pedro Neto instead.

The 3AM Verdict: City have done a good job of selling on big-ticket players before their expiry dates, and with Silva approaching 30 at speed, it would be no surprise if the same policy applied to him.

Finally, Sport Witness suggest that Newcastle United are ‘pushing ahead’ in the race to sign Sporting centre-back Ousmane Diomande.

Sporting only want to sell him for the full value of his release clause, which is set at £69 million and apparently Newcastle ‘believe that to be too much’ and are hoping to negotiate downwards.

The 3AM Verdict: Newcastle may well be making the first move, but just about every top club in Europe seems to be looking for a centre-back this season and Diomande is one they’re all going to consider a bid for.