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Man Utd prepare Marco Asensio bid with Erik ten Hag ‘determined’ to land Real Madrid star

Manchester United are readying a bid for Real Madrid star Marco Asensio, according to reports. Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag is supposedly ‘determined’ to launch a formal offer with one week to go until the summer transfer window slams shut. 

United are crying out for more options in attack, particularly given that Cristiano Ronaldo could leave Old Trafford before September 1. Eredivisie duo Antony and Cody Gakpo have long been touted as the prime candidates, but Asensio has since emerged as a more cost-effective option. 

Spanish outlet Relevo claim that the Red Devils are poised to make an official proposal for the Spaniard, who scored 12 goals in all competitions last season. The fee is expected to be in excess of £25million, although Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti could hold out for more given that he wants Asensio to remain at the Bernabeu. 

United may be able to to convince the 26-year-old that coming to the Premier League would be an exciting step, having just completed the big-money signing of Casemiro, with whom Asensio has shared a dressing room for the past eight years. 

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The Dutch side’s boss, Alfred Schreuder, publicly called for the club to keep hold of Antony after parting ways with a number of crucial players this summer. He also mocked the Red Devils for their lack of Champions League football in an effort to change the Brazilian’s mind and stop him pushing for an exit. 

As for Gakpo, United were thought to be waiting until after PSV Eindhoven’s crucial Champions League qualifier against Rangers on Wednesday before making an offer. The 23-year-old, managed by Red Devils hero Ruud van Nistelrooy, is thought to be valued at £34m

Barcelona forward Memphis Depay has also emerged as a serious possibility with his move to Juventus on the brink of collapse. The Dutchman, who would be available on the cheap, had an unsuccessful spell at United between 2015 and 2017 before moving on to Lyon. 

“We said from the beginning we wanted to bring the right players in and not just any players,” said Ten Hag after his side beat Liverpool on Monday night. “I think now we have the right player [in new signing Casemiro], I’m sure of that. The window is not closed. You need numbers but not only numbers, you need quality.”

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