Manchester United have begun initial talks over a deal to land on-loan Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen when he returns to Napoli, while Liverpool are set to move for Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip from around the globe.
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TRENDING RUMORS
- Initial talks have taken place between Manchester United and the representatives of on-loan Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, reports Foot Mercato. The 26-year-old, who is expected to leave Napoli permanently when he returns after his loan in the summer, is said to be seen as a strong alternative option to Sporting CP's Viktor Gyökeres, and the Red Devils have been told that he would be open to a switch to Old Trafford on wages of around €12m per season. An offer worth more than €75m is reported to be required to land the Nigeria international, though the report claims that Gyökeres remains first choice, while sources have told ESPN that Ipswich Town's Liam Delap is also on their shortlist.
- Liverpool are set to move for Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller, according to Stuttgarter-Nachrichten. Stiller, 24, has four goals and nine assists in 44 matches across all competitions and is similar in style to Real Sociedad's Martín Zubimendi, whom the Reds tried to sign last summer. Stuttgart will want a fee of around €60m for the transfer of a player who is under contract until 2028, with Arne Slot reportedly ready to open talks.
- Real Madrid are tracking Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, according to the Daily Express. The club's chief scout, Juni Calafat, is reported to be a big fan of the 21-year-old England international and has had him watched on numerous occasions this season. While Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool have also been linked, Palace are likely to demand at least €80m for his transfer.
- Barcelona are considering a move for Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sané when his contract expires in the summer, reports Diario Sport. Talks over a new deal at the Allianz Arena have reportedly broken down and the Germany international is firmly on Barcelona's radar as they begin plans to reinforce their attack. Sané, who was previously linked with the club after working under manager Hansi Flick at Bayern, has been in good form this season with 11 goals in 28 Bundesliga matches, but Sport also reports that Barcelona president Joan Laporta is keen on AC Milan's Rafael Leão and Athletic Club's Nico Williams.
- An offer worth £65m will be required to land Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho, reports the Daily Star. Chelsea are reported to still be keen on signing the 20-year-old, with Garnacho expected to be among several first-team players at Old Trafford who will be moved on in the summer. He scored and registered an assist in the 4-3 defeat in the Premier League against Brentford on Sunday, and Napoli are also keeping tabs on his situation.
EXPERT TAKE
ESPN's resident scout Tor-Kristian Karlsen explores how Victor Osimhen would fit at Manchester United.
First up, Osimhen would offer an immediate goal threat without the need of an extended period of adaptation. Judging by his career development and technical profile, it's fair to assume that he is less dependent on collective patterns or building understanding with his teammates. Partly because his explosive pace and direct runs off the shoulders of defenders are extremely effective and make him easy to find for the likes of Bruno Fernandes; partly due to his single-mindedness in the executing phase. He doesn't need to take many adjusting touches and even when his first touch is untidy, he still manoeuvres his body well to set up an angle to finish.
One aspect of his game which has undoubtedly developed during his loan season at Galatasaray is his aerial prowess. Indeed, six of his goals have originated from crosses or attacking set-pieces. This relatively newfound attribute makes him a target for wide deliveries and he has also expanded his finishing repertoire over the past year -- there have been a higher tally of left-footed finishes, the odd acrobatics (overhead kicks) and unexpected, snapped efforts.
What makes Osimhen stand out when measured up against other reported Manchester United targets -- Viktor Gyökeres and Liam Delap -- is his uncompromising directness. Merely outpacing opposing defenders might not be the most sophisticated measure, but it never goes out of fashion. On the flipside he's less focused on dropping deep to join the early build-ups, yet his penetrative runs rank among the most devastating in world football.
Unlike Gyökeres, Osimhen doesn't rely on dribbling to gain yards. Instead, he trusts his piercing off-the-ball running to reach goal-scoring positions.
Both are high-volume finishers. Osimhen's nearly five shots on goal per 90 minutes are extreme numbers even for the Turkish league -- Gyökeres is at 3.5 per 90 in a slightly stronger Portuguese top flight -- and while those figures are unlikely to be repeated in the English Premier League, they show his active nature in the final third.
And while Osimhen is somewhat reliant on service, he does possess some elite features that make him of use in the transitional phase, getting on the end crosses or expediting tap-ins. In contrast, Gyökeres -- and to a certain extent Delap -- are more likely to take an interest in the build-up and pressing duties.
OTHER RUMORS
The "ESPN FC" crew debate Leroy Sane's next move as his time at Bayern Munich appears to be over.
- Manchester United and West Ham are tracking England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, 26, as he is likely to leave Southampton for around £15m following their relegation. (Mirror)
- United have also added Torino goalkeeper Vanja Milinković-Savić to their shortlist for a new goalkeeper. (GMS)
- Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been linked with a move to Saudi side Al Hilal, but the club won't consider any offers to let him go. (TalkSPORT)
- Chelsea are ready to hand £115m-midfielder Moises Caicedo, 23, a new contract this summer after his impressive performances this season. (Telegraph)
- RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko has been linked with a host of clubs in recent months, but the LaLiga trio of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are all looking for a new No. 9 and are ready to step up interest. (Diario AS)
- If Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso replaces Carlo Ancelotti as coach at Real Madrid next season, he wants the club to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi first. (Diario AS)
- Saudi side Al Nassr are preparing to challenge Atlético Madrid and clubs from the German Bundesliga for the signature of Feyenoord centre-back Dávid Hancko. They are reported to be willing to make an offer worth €32.5m to sign the 27-year-old. (Algemeen Dagblad)
- Arsenal midfielder Jorginho has agreed a three-year deal to join Flamengo, when his current terms at the Emirates Stadium expire this summer. (O Globo)
- Former Arsenal forward Nicolas Pepe is on the radar of Everton and Wolves as the 29-year-old is out of contract at Villarreal in the summer. (Foot Mercato)
- Wolves, Nottingham Forest, Fulham and Brighton are all keeping tabs on Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott, as his future at Anfield is unclear. (GMS)
- AC Milan, Roma, Bayern, Wolves, Everton, West Ham, and Tottenham are keeping tabs on 29-year-old Borussia Monchengladbach striker Tim Kleindienst, who could be available for around €30m. (Caught Offside)
- FC Porto have paid the required €13.2m clause to sign Udinese defender Nehuen Perez on a permanent deal after his loan. (Nicolo Schira)