Third Prem side move for costly Man Utd star with Ten Hag freed up to sign major upgrade

A third escape route within the Premier League has opened up for an expensive Man Utd flop, and his exit next month will free Erik ten Hag up to sign a major upgrade, per reports.

The headlines at Old Trafford next month are likely to revolve around two things – the club’s search for new owners and who’ll replace Cristiano Ronaldo.

Today’s Transfer Gossip brought news from Italy that claimed Ten Hag has settled on a Serie A striker to tick the latter category.

However, United are expected to conduct more business on the arrivals front than just at centre-forward.

Indeed, Fabrizio Romano recently detailed a mini-overhaul is coming at right-back.

“Man Utd have decided internally to extend the contract of Diogo Dalot,” said Romano. “To negotiate on a new, long-term contract and make an offer.

“The second step: sell Wan-Bissaka and the third step is sign a new right-back.”

Dalot and Wan-Bissaka split time almost equally last season. However, the current campaign has been a wash-out.

Wan-Bissaka, 25, has just one appearance to his name across all competitions this season totalling a measly four minutes.

His lack of attacking ambition makes him a poor fit for Ten Hag. The Dutchman wants a more free-flowing full-back who’ll bring as much in the final third as in his own.

Three Prem sides chasing Man Utd outcast

TEAMtalk exclusively revealed Wan-Bissaka had been put up for sale back on November 28. We were told two Premier League sides had registered their interest ahead of the winter window – Fulham and Crystal Palace.

Now, the Express and Star report Wolves have swelled the competition for Wan-Bissaka’s signature to three. New manager Julen Lopetegui is expected to be backed in January and right-back is an area they wish to address.

We learned United are open to either a loan or permanent sale, though a full exit makes the most sense as it’ll embolden their search for a direct replacement.

The Express and Star back that claim up, stating United could be open to a loan so long as it includes an option to become permanent.

Two Wan-Bissaka upgrades touted

If Man Utd are able to shift the £50m signing, Romano reported they’ll move for a back-up or at most competition for Dalot, rather than someone who’d displace him in the starting eleven.

However, it stands to reason only a significant upgrade on Wan-Bissaka in terms of their offensive output would be signed. Indeed, why move one in and one out if the new face isn’t better suited to the Dutchman’s system.

Two names continue to be linked in that regard – Dutch pair Denzel Dumfries and Jeremie Frimpong.

Inter’s Dumfries shone at the World Cup in Qatar and has five goals and six assists to his name from 30 appearances for club and country this season.

Frimpong would represent the cheaper option given his reported £21m valuation compared to Dumfries who could cost upwards of £50m.

Frimpong, 21, has five goals and three assists for Leverkusen this term.

TRANSFER GOSSIP: Man Utd to launch serious bid for £62m striker as Ten Hag settles on Ronaldo replacement; Newcastle to break transfer record to sign Napoli star