Football transfer news

Manchester United have made contact with the agent of young Barcelona striker Vitor Roque over a possible loan deal, a report in Spain has claimed.

Roque completed his €61m move to Barcelona in January but the 19-year-old has struggled for game time, seeing just 310 minutes over 13 appearances in all competitions.

Amid claims that Barcelona do not believe Roque is good enough to play for the team at this point, Mundo Deportivo report that a number of clubs have been in contact with the Brazilian’s entourage over a possible loan move.

United are said to be keen to bring the 19-year-old to the Premier League, whole Napoli, Lyon, Nice, Sevilla and Real Betis are all credited with interest in Roque.

Barcelona manager Xavi has previously offered his support to Roque but recently left the door open to a loan move this summer.

“We have not decided anything yet,” Xavi said. “We will decide at the end of the season what is best for everyone. It is not easy to arrive from Brazil. He needs time and adaptation. At the end of the season, we will decide.”

According to SPORT, Roque has already ruled out the idea of leaving Barcelona on loan, with his agent prepared to complicate any efforts to part ways with the 19-year-old just six months after his move to Spain.

Roque’s representatives believe he needs more time with Barcelona to get up to speed and hope Xavi decides to keep Roque around next season, although reports suggest the striker may not even end up getting registered in the squad next year because of financial concerns.

United are known to be on the hunt for a new striker and spent the January transfer window looking for an experienced goalscorer who could offer some support to young Rasmus Hojlund who, at the time, was struggling in front of goal.

However, a younger forward remains a possibility for United, who 90min understands are in the race to sign 20-year-old RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko.

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Feyenoord manager Arne Slot has stressed he will not discuss further links with Liverpool until they make an announcement, but suggested confirmation of a move to Anfield is forthcoming.

Slot revealed last week that he wanted to join Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp’s successor, and reports from both England and the Netherlands later stated an agreement had been reached between all parties.

Ahead of Feyenoord’s Eredivisie clash with PEC Zwolle on Sunday, Slot fielded questions from Sky Sports regarding when a move to Liverpool could be announced.

“We haven’t confirmed anything yet and I said to the Dutch media as well, as long as we haven’t confirmed anything yet, I don’t think it’s honest to the club where I’m working now or the club I could go to to talk about that,” he said.

“I am more than willing to answer any questions if the official announcement will be made. I have all the confidence that will happen but until now it hasn’t been confirmed officially yet.”

When asked by Dutch outlet AD about his future, Slot added: “I just think it’s appropriate to give all the answers to these questions at the end of the season.

“I’m still busy with Feyenoord here and Liverpool is also still busy with their season.

“There is nothing official yet and I am sitting here with a Feyenoord emblem on my chest, so the intention is for it to be about Feyenoord, but I think you will try anyway.”

Slot’s Feyenoord sit nine points adrift of Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven heading into the final three games of the season and they are on the verge of surrendering their Dutch crown.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are all but out of the Premier League title race after falling five points behind Arsenal and four behind Manchester City, who still have an extra game to play. Klopp’s Reds return to action on Sunday with the visit of Tottenham Hotspur.

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LAFC return to action this weekend for a California clash against the struggling San Jose Earthquakes at Levi’s Stadium.

Instead of traveling farther down south to San Jose’s PayPal Park, LAFC will instead square off with their in-state rivals at the home of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers. With over 40,000 fans expected to pack Levi’s Stadium, the Black and Gold’s stars will want to put on a show in the primetime contest.

LAFC boss Steve Cherundolo will stick to his first-choice 4-3-3 formation that gives him the right balance going forward while not compromising the defensive setup. Since the 2022 MLS Cup winners didn’t quality for the CONCACAF Champions Cup this term, Cherundolo’s side have played one game per week and the starting XI usually picks itself.

Here’s how the Black and Gold could lineup against the Earthquakes.

GK: Hugo Lloris – No questions here. The former Tottenham captain starts in goal for the Black and Gold.

RB: Ryan Hollingshead – After filling in at left-back last week, the reliable Hollingshead moves back over to his preferred role at right-back.

CB: Jesus Murillo – The Colombia international anchors the backline after a strong showing against the Timbers.

CB: Maxime Chanot – The ex-NYCFC defender is all set to make his third start as an LAFC player and has managed to grab two assists in his last two outings.

LB: Omar Campos – Campos makes his first start for the Black and Gold since March 16 after recovering from an ankle injury.

CM: Tim Tillman – The USMNT player has enjoyed an impressive season thus far with six goal involvements in 10 appearances.

CM: Ilie Sanchez – The veteran figure leads the LAFC midfield into action once again.

CM: Eduard Atuesta – Back in his second stint at the club, Atuesta has revatilzed the LAFC midfield that lost Kellyn Acosta in free agency to Chicago Fire.

RW: Cristian Olivera – It’s been a sluggish start to the season for Olivera and he could lose his place in the team if his performances don’t improve when David Martinez returns to full fitness.

ST: Mateusz Bogusz – Cherundolo has no choice but to starts Bogusz up front and center given the current lack of depth in the squad.

LW: Denis Bouanga – Bouanga will be eager to add to his six goals scored in the 2024 season against the league’s worst defense in San Jose.

Erik ten Hag has admitted Manchester United tried and failed to sign Harry Kane last summer before his move to Bayern Munich.

United had long been seen as favourites to land Kane’s signature, particularly after fellow suitors Manchester City committed to Erling Haaland, but the former Tottenham striker ultimately opted to take his talents to Bayern in a deal worth an initial £82m.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Ten Hag did not shy away from his admiration of Kane but backed Rasmus Hojlund to come good for United with a few more years of experience under his belt.

“We have had some choices made with talents like Rasmus Hojlund. I can see a striker who already proved it, who we want to sign and we couldn’t get him,” Ten Hag initially teased without mention of Kane’s name. “And then we went to Rasmus because he’s a talent.”

When pressed on whether he was talking about Kane, Ten Hag confessed: “Yes, and you know Harry Kane will get you 30 goals. I think Rasmus will get there, but he needs time. It’s not fair to assess him the same as Harry Kane. I would never compare two players because they are very different.

“But with Hojlund, I think we had the biggest potential in the striker position last summer and we are very happy with him. But he also needs time to adapt and we are very pleased he showed his assets in scoring goals.

“He had a very good period where he scored many games after he showed it, but before and after, he had some physical issues, which is normal for a young player coming up. But it has a negative impact on the team result and that’s what you have to accept.

“Then you go back to the fans and the opinion makers, and they don’t understand or they don’t want to understand this. It is how Man United gets judged, they only see the result, but we need time.

“You have to accept the process is going slower and you can’t then expect to straight [away] compete for titles in the Champions League and Premier League.”

90min understands that United remain in the market for a new striker, with injury-prone Anthony Martial set to leave at the end of his contract and Marcus Rashford in patchy form after playing the majority of the season on the left wing.

RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee and VfB Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy are three players admired by United, but spending this summer is likely to be dictated by the number of outgoings.

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90min rounds up the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip circulating around the world…

Manchester United would entertain offers of over £80m for forward Marcus Rashford this summer. (The Sun)

Coming in at Man Utd could be Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise, with the Red Devils believed to be leading the race for his signature. (ESPN)

On the other hand, Olise appears to be “heading towards Arsenal” in the summer window. (Tutto Juve – Italy)

Joe Gomez is considering his future at Liverpool this summer and could leave if the right opportunity arises. (Anfield Watch)

Barcelona are interested in signing Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey at the end of the season and hope he will be made available for cheap. (Adrian Sanchez – Spain)

One of Barcelona‘s top summer priorities is to negotiate a fresh loan deal for Manchester City full-back Joao Cancelo, who wants to stay at the Catalan giants. (Marca – Spain)

Man Utd want to sign Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili to replace Andre Onana. (Fichajes – Spain)

Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot will once again be offered the chance to join Man Utd when his contract expires next month. (La Stampa – Italy)

But Barcelona and Bayern Munich plan to rival Man Utd for Rabiot‘s signature. (CaughtOffside)

Arsenal and Liverpool are considering moves for Barcelona midfielder Pedri, who could be sold if the Spanish side find themselves desperate to raise funds. (Marca – Spain)

Xavi has made it clear he wants Barcelona to sign Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva, but Bayern Munich are also interested in the Portugal international. (Catalunya Radio – Spain)

Chelsea are considering a cut-price move for Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who could be available for €10m. (Tutto Juve – Italy)

Man City were among the sides to scout Chelsea left-back Ian Maatsen during Borussia Dortmund‘s Champions League victory over PSG. (TBR Football)

Scouts from both Arsenal and Tottenham have followed 18-year-old Besiktas striker Semih Kilicsoy, with £25m expected to be enough to get a deal done. (CaughtOffside)

Florian Wirtz sees Bayern Munich as the next step in his career but the Bayer Leverkusen sensation plans to move oversees in the future, with Liverpool, Man City and Real Madrid all long-term admirers. (Florian Plettenberg – Germany)

Arsenal are locked in a battle to keep teenage star Chido Martin Obi, who is wanted by Bayern Munich. (Telegraph)

Real Madrid and PSG have also expressed an interest in signing 16-year-old Martin Obi, who recently broke Arsenal‘s Under-18 goalscoring record. (Football Transfers)

READ THE TRANSFER RUMOURS OF THE PAST WEEK HERE