Transfer Talk: Ten Hag sets sights on two African stars

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag wants to bring Victor Osimhen and Mohammed Kudus to Old Trafford.

The Dutch coach, 53, has overseen a remarkable turnaround in fortunes since taking charge of the Red Devils, sealing a first trophy of his tenure when lifting the Carabao Cup on Sunday.

United are still competing on three further fronts and although player sales are expected this summer, the club’s board are keen to reward Ten Hag’s efforts with new additions as well.

The Manchester Evening News suggest both Napoli ace Osimhen, 24, and Ajax starlet Kudus, 22, are high on Ten Hag’s wish list with attacking reinforcements deemed a top priority.

Marcus Rashford has carried the goalscoring burden for United this term with an exceptional 25 goals in 38 appearances across all competitions — 17 more than second top scorer Bruno Fernandes.

Going into the season, Anthony Martial was set to play a starring role under Ten Hag but injury has limited the Frenchman to just 14 appearances, in which he has found the net six times.

Osimhen would certainly add goals to the Red Devils, with the Nigerian having netted an impressive 21 strikes in 24 Serie A and Champions League games for the Partenopei.

He could be joined by his fellow African Kudus, who is having another impressive season in the Dutch capital.

The Ghanaian attacker has notched up 16 goals and three assists in 32 outings for the Amsterdam giants this season and is valued at around £90million.

Martial, 27, is one player the club are looking to offload, alongside defensive duo Alex Telles and Harry Maguire. 

Telles, 30, is currently on loan with LaLiga side Sevilla and appears surplus to requirements at Old Trafford with the left-back berth covered by Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.

Meanwhile, club captain Maguire, 29, has lost his starting spot to Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez and the England international will be allowed to depart for pastures new if a suitor can be found.

In other news

The Telegraph suggest Manchester City are considering a surprise move for Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic, 28, with the Croatian approaching the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge.

Naby Keita is attracting interest from his former club RB Leipzig and fellow Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund ahead of his Liverpool deal expiring in June, say BILD.

Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Brentford are all eyeing a move for Hull defender Jacob Greaves according to the Daily Mail, with the 22-year-old having impressed in the Championship this term.