Gossip: Ten Hag ‘irritated’ by transfers as £58.6m star targeted

Manchester United are one of three clubs most eagerly interested in Darwin Nunez, with Erik ten Hag growing frustrated at one transfer story.

DARWIN THEORY
Erling Haaland will cast a considerable shadow over the summer transfer window but some other players are threatening to emerge from the Borussia Dortmund striker’s silhouette. Darwin Nunez seems determined to prove he would be a fine consolation prize, scoring his third league hat-trick of the season at the weekend to take his overall tally to 31 goals in 36 games.

The Uruguayan forward is even thought to have impressed Liverpool with his strike against the Reds in the Champions League, but The Athletic name three other clubs as ‘front-runners for his signature’.

Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain make up that eclectic trio with interest that Benfica are happy to entertain, provided their £58.6m asking price is met early enough for a replacement to be secured.

Of course, the identity of those three clubs could complicate matters. One is in the process of finding a new owner, another is in the process of finding a new manager, and the last is in the process of finding all the money in the world to try and keep Kylian Mbappe.

TEN COMMANDMENTS
That Manchester United manager search is perhaps not as straightforward as it once seemed. A ‘bank-busting’ offer from RB Leipzig could tempt Erik ten Hag into thinking an Old Trafford project might not be worth it.

The Daily Telegraph report the same line but stress that ‘it would be a huge surprise’ if the Dutchman were to take the Bundesliga side up on that approach.

It is added that Ajax have grown ‘irritated’ at the mounting speculation and ‘fear’ it could impact on their hopes for the season. They are four points clear atop the Eredivisie, having won their last five league games, with a Dutch Cup final waiting next weekend.

But Ten Hag himself has his own reported frustrations. The report goes on to say that he ‘is not demanding full control over transfers’ and is ‘irritated’ by claims to the contrary. ‘Sources emphatically claim he is not’ insisting on any such sway – although the Dutchman does want ‘a significant say’ in comings and goings.

LUIZ CHANGE
It was always going to be the case that Arsenal’s winter transfer window would be judged come what May. Mikel Arteta, who moved to defend his decisions after a second straight Premier League defeat meant the Gunners were no longer in control of their Champions League qualification fate, would be a genius or a madman, based explicitly on whether Arsenal finished fourth.

An injury to Thomas Partey could be the final nail in that particular coffin. The horse may have bolted but Arteta wants to safeguard against any future issues this summer, with Aston Villa player Douglas Luiz central to his plan.

Arsenal are known to want at least one striker and perhaps a couple of full-backs for either side this summer, but ‘central midfield reinforcements’ are said by Football Insider to also be desired. Douglas Luiz, who they have targeted previously, remains an option, particularly with Steven Gerrard so enamoured by Kalvin Phillips and Yves Bissouma.