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Cody Gakpo of PSV during the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round match between PSV Eindhoven and AS Monaco at Phillips Stadium on August 9, 2022 in Eindhoven, Netherlands.

Watch: Fabrizio Romano on Man Utd’s desperate chase of 3 players

Manchester United are frantically trying to reinforce their squad following last week’s Premier League defeat against Brighton and Fabrizio Romano has provided the latest on three of the club’s top targets.

United have signed Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez this summer but, despite ten Hag highlighting the need for more midfield and attacking options early in the summer, the club are still chasing further reinforcements.

Having failed to sign a central midfielder this summer, Scott McTominay and Fred once again started in the 2-1 reverse at Old Trafford.

Manager Erik ten Hag started that game without a striker on the pitch with Anthony Martial picking up a hamstring injury and Cristiano Ronaldo not deemed fit enough after missing pre-season while also seeking to find a new club.

Ten Hag insisted he and the club are on the same page when it comes to transfer targets, but stressed they are now just one injury away from having a ‘problem’ in some key positions.

“’We cooperate well and it’s to my satisfaction,” ten Hag said. ‘Of course, it was better to get the players earlier, then you get them earlier in the process. In midfield and in offence, you have seen when there is one injury, we have a problem. That’s clear.”

And Romano has given the latest on United’s pursuits of Adrien Rabiot, Cody Gakpo and Frenkie de Jong.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said: “There is an agreement between Juventus and Manchester United for Rabiot. Juventus want to sell the player so they can sign Leandro Parades. The fee is 17million, plus add-ons that are still to be discussed.

“John Murtough, the chief executive of Manchester United, was in Turin on Friday morning to meet with Veronique Rabiot [Rabiot’s mother and agent]. It was a positive meeting but there’s still no full agreement between United and Rabiot. United still need to discuss the player’s salary.”

Turning his attention to Gakpo, the Italian journalist said: “There are internal discussions at Manchester United about the talented PSV player, starting on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

“This is a player that Erik ten Hag has known for a long time, alongside his top target [Ajax and Brazil winger] Antony. United are discussing Gakpo with Ten Hag, they are waiting to hear of the final price tag once PSV decide what they want to do with him.

“But there are contacts with Cody Gakpo and United are exploring the possibility. Let’s see what they decide to do.”

Finally, Romano spoke about De Jong. “His agents are in Barcelona,” the transfer guru stated. “But they have no meetings scheduled with Barcelona for Frenkie.

“De Jong still holds the same position; he wants to continue at Barcelona. So, until this position changes, his agents won’t meet with Barca.

“Barca still want him to take a salary cut, Frenkie has no intention of doing so but wishes to stay at Barcelona. United are still waiting and want to sign the player.”


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