Premier League transfer news: Manchester United offer much higher wages to Sergio Ramos, Arsenal target to cost €80 million December 23, 2018

Hello and welcome to the Premier League latest transfer news and rumours. Here are the top stories for the day!

#5 The player United need to sign

Manchester United have been linked with a lot of players over the months but for all the gossip surrounding them, there has not been much action in the market. For most of the summer, they were linked with various defenders but signed no center-backs.

And now, former Red Devils defender David May has suggested that the Old Trafford outfit should sign a world-class defender who could also lead the backline with his commanding presence, casting doubt on the abilities of Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof.

“Jose tried to buy Alderweireld and Harry Maguire, they know they need a centre-back,” May said.

“Victor Lindelof could certainly be the number one centre-half, but you need an experienced leader.

“I’m not sure if Chris Smalling has enough presence to play out from the back and start attacks.”

He then added that Raphael Varane would be the perfect buy for the Red Devils, stating that even an astronomical figure of around £100 million would be ideal for him.

May’s reasoning was that Liverpool solved their defensive crisis by signing Virgil Van Dijk for a world record fee. So, someone in the mould of Varane coming in could actually change the complexion of the club.

“I’d sign Raphael Varane at any cost, £90-100m, it doesn’t matter. You see what has happened at Liverpool with Virgil van Dijk – you know that’s a weak position, go out and improve it at all costs.

“He’s the one player I think would transform that club. If United want to get back to being one of the European leaders, they need to show intent and Varane is a signing that would do that.”

#4 Arnautovic to Chelsea?

Former Chelsea star Tony Cascarino has lauded West Ham superstar Marko Arnautovic. The forward has been in good form for his team and has been linked with a move to a bigger club.

While Manchester United were reportedly interested in him in the summer, Cascarino thinks that the Austrian would be a perfect fit for his former club as Arnautovic reminds him of legendary former Manchester United forward Eric Cantona.

“You know the one player I’d really want to take? Arnautovic – I’d take him in a heartbeat,” he said.

“I think he’d fit perfectly into Chelsea. The thing with Arnautovic – he reminds me of that Eric Cantona mindset.”

He then went on to add that the Hammers star has the ability to play for a top side.

“He thinks he’s good enough to be up there at the top table, and he is.”

#3 Cardiff and Arsenal

Cardiff City are lingering just above the drop zone and would love to push themselves up as far as possible. As a result, they might be looking for players in January that would strengthen their team and help in their bid to stay up.

According to journalist Alan Nixon, Cardiff City want striker Josh Maja of Sunderland and have also tried to sign Oumar Niasse from Everton.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have been linked with Nicolas Pepe for a while now. The forward has truly broken through this season with 12 goals from 19 games while also assisting five times.

However, it might not be easy for the Gunners to sign him as Lille chief Luis Campos has revealed that it would take at least €80 million for the French outfit to consider selling him.

“€80million. But [any club] will also have to convince the player," he was quoted as saying.

#2 Ozil

Mesut Ozil might be on the verge of quitting Arsenal after not entirely winning the trust of his manager Unai Emery. The midfielder was left out of the squad for Arsenal’s Carabao Cup clash against archrivals Tottenham Hotspur.

As a result, there are talks of him leaving the club and now, Istanbul Basaksehir president Golsek Gumusdag has not only praised Mesut Ozil but has also revealed that signing Ozil would be like a dream come true and that he would all he can to sign the German should the chance ever arise.

"Mesut Ozil is a precious player," Gumusdag was quoted as saying. "I hope one day our paths will cross at Basaksehir. If he wants to be with us as well, we would do anything to get him."

The former Real Madrid man has made 12 Premier League appearances for the Gunners, scoring thrice and assisting just once.

#1 Manchester madness

A new revelation has come to light with regards to the sacking of Jose Mourinho as Duncan Castles has revealed that the Portuguese had no idea about what eventually went down.

According to Castles, Mourinho “thought he was going to discuss Manchester United’s transfer strategy when the club’s executive vice-chairman used their scheduled Tuesday morning meeting to sack the Old Trafford manager.”

Meanwhile, the Red Devils been linked to defenders doesn’t end here as they apparently made an offer to increase Sergio Ramos’ wages. According to Don Balon, United wanted to sign him and promised higher wages but the Real Madrid captain refused it in order to retire as the most decorated Real Madrid player of all time.

Currently, Ramos has won 20 trophies with the Blancos and is only three behind Paco Gento’s record of 23.

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