MANCHESTER UNITED, LIVERPOOL, ARSENAL IN ‘BIDDING WAR’ FOR BRAZILIAN TEEN GUSTAVO NUNES

Apr 18, 2024

Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool are just four of the many big European sides taking a look at two emerging youngsters. One is Gremio’s teenage forward, Gustavo Nunes, while there is also Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Georgiy Sudakov, who is attracting interest from abroad. Elsewhere, Borussia Dortmund are set to sign Jadon Sancho, and Ivan Toney hopes to secure a pay rise. The Sun reports that Manchester United are the latest side to show an interest in Brazilian teenager Gustavo Nunes. The 18-year-old forward is attracting attention from around the Premier League. The paper writes: “Manchester United have joined Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool in the bidding war for a Brazilian wonderkid. “United sent a scout to Brazil to watch Gremio starlet Gustavo Nunes, 18, in action last week during the 2-0 loss to Huachipato in the Copa Libertadores. “Gustavinho, as he has been nicknamed by fans, only made his senior debut in February but quickly rose through the ranks after impressing manager Renato Gaucho. “The winger came on as a half-time substitute as he replaced Everton and showed his skills in front of the Red Devils’ representative.”

Shakhtar Donetsk expect to sell their promising young midfielder Georgiy Sudakov with some of the biggest clubs in the Premier League interested. Serie A’s Napoli have already made an offer in January, but the Ukrainian side are looking to cash in this summer. The Evening Standard reports: “Shakhtar Donetsk believe £60million-rated midfielder Georgiy Sudakov will “definitely” follow Mykhailo Mudryk in leaving Ukraine for a top Premier League club this summer. “Arsenal are tipped to make a move for the 21-year-old, who is widely considered the next top talent to emerge from Ukrainian football and has also been linked with Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, and Liverpool. “Shakhtar officials have been in London this week as they plan for the summer transfer window, when they expect to lose their star man Sudakov.“Napoli had a £34m bid for Sudakov, who has 14 Ukraine caps, rejected in January and did not match the £43m counter offer from Shakhtar, which did not include potential add-ons.”

Manchester United expect to sell winger Jadon Sancho to Borussia Dortmund when his loan deal ends. The player is frozen out at Old Trafford but the club hope to have him on his way out soon. The Daily Star states: “Manchester United are confident of striking a permanent deal with Borussia Dortmund for Jadon Sancho. “Sancho returned to Dortmund in January on loan for the rest of the season, following his stand off with United boss Erik ten Hag. “The German outfit do not have a clause in the agreement which makes it permanent – meaning Sancho will return to United on July 1. “But United bosses are still determined to sell Sancho, and believe a price can be agreed with the Bundesliga club. “And while new United investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe is willing to cut his losses on Sancho, he will still demand a fee in the region of £45m for the 23-year-old.”

Ivan Toney hopes that when he moves on from Brentford that he will secure a big increase in his salary. The Mirror explains that the forward is expected to be sold in the summer and Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea are all linked. The paper reports: “Ivan Toney is after a pay packet which would see him earn more than Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes. “England and Brentford striker Toney is expected to leave his club over the summer, with the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea previously linked with a swoop in addition to United. The 28-year-old has four goals in 13 club outings since returning from a betting ban, after scoring 20 in the Premier League last season. “United were keen to add a striker in January but financial restrictions stood in their way. While Toney may fit the bill for manager Erik ten Hag, his reported demands could upset high earner Fernandes. “Toney is after £250,000 per week, the equivalent of £13m per year. That’s said to be £10,000 per week more than Fernandes, with the demands also potentially standing in the way of a new Brentford deal for Toney.“Fernandes isn’t United’s highest earner, despite wearing the armband. That honour is understood to belong to Casemiro, with Raphael Varane, Marcus Rashford and out-on-loan Jadon Sancho all on £300,000 or more per week. Mason Mount and Anthony Martial are reported to be on £250,000 per week, though the latter is set to depart in the summer.”