Man Utd make Enzo Fernandez transfer progress as Erik ten Hag confirms deals

Manchester United are gearing up for what Erik ten Hag hopes to be a busy January transfer window.

The Red Devils shelled out £229million and brought in six news players over the summer, but club chiefs still want more. Cody Gakpo is understood to be Ten Hag’s No.1 target, with talks underway and a bid being readied. The United manager even raised a cheeky smile when the PSV Eindhoven forward was mentioned in a press conference this week.

Meanwhile, Enzo Fernandez is a name on plenty of fans’ lips after triumphing with Argentina at the World Cup, and despite Liverpool’s interest, Old Trafford’s bigwigs are said to have made a move. The Red Devils, who’ve recently handed four players one-year contact extensions, continue to view midfield as a priority position, and that’s why Declan Rice remains on United’s wish-list.

United overtake Liverpool in Fernandez race

Manchester United have reportedly overtaken old foes Liverpool in the race to sign sought-after Benfica star Enzo Fernandez, winner of the World Cup and the tournament’s young player award. It was claimed earlier this month that Liverpool had reached a pre-contract agreement to sign the 21-year-old midfielder but the Red Devils appear to be well in the battle.

Erik ten Hag still wants to improve his midfield options, despite the high-profile signings of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen this past summer. UOL Esporte report that United officials are now in talks with Fernandez over big-money a transfer, serving as a significant blow to Liverpool.

Chelsea in pole position for Rice

Manchester United won’t have first dibs on Declan Rice, with Chelsea leading the race to sign the West Ham captain as he enters the final 18 months of his contract. According to the Athletic, the Blues are-placed to acquire Rice after Graham Potter identified midfield as an area to bolster, with Stamford Bridge stalwarts Jorginho and N’Golo Kante set to depart at the end of the season.

Manchester City also retain interest in the England international and would have the guaranteed Champions League football and trophies on offer which Rice craves. West Ham do have the option to extend his stay until June 2025 by triggering a one-year extension

Ten Hag confirms contract extensions

Erik ten Hag has explained why Manchester United have triggered extension clauses in four players’ contracts. Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot and Fred were due to become free agents next summer but now each have deals running until June 2024.

Speaking to MUTV, Ten Hag stated: “We are happy because the squad is going in the right direction and those players [have] a massive contribution in that direction. We want to develop, we want to support those players and we want them to keep in our process. So, that’s why we came to those decisions, I’m sure they are the right decisions. We want to construct a team for the future, so for longer years, and those players have to be part of it.”