Manchester United target Freddie Woodman to afford move for Liam Delap, Viktor Gyokeres or Victor Osimhen - Paper Round

The Sun reports that Manchester United are tracking Preston North End goalkeeper Freddie Woodman.

The 28-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season, and, along with Blackburn’s Aynsley Pears, is a potential back-up 'keeper for United.

The paper writes: "Manchester United’s search for a ‘domestic’ cover goalkeeper has stretched to an England U20 World Cup hero.

"That's because The Red Devils are keeping a keen eye on Preston North End's Freddie Woodman.

"The 28-year-old will be one of the best free-agent stoppers around in the summer after keeping 13 clean sheets in 37 Championship appearances this season.

"But the former Bournemouth loan 'keeper has missed Preston's last few games with an ankle issue."

The Express believes that Pears and Woodman are both targets because they would make little impact on summer spending.

As a result, that would leave United free to spend big on a striker, with Victor Osimhen, Viktor Gyokeres and Liam Delap as options.

The paper explains: "The most costly aspect of United's summer recruitment drive could lie up top. The 20-time league winners are expected to bring in a new striker as Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggle to cope with the pressures of the English top flight.

"The likes of Liam Delap, Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen are all in the frame, and each one of them would command a hefty transfer fee, which could force United chiefs to spot bargain opportunities when bolstering other positions."

The Athletic believes that Bayern Munich Raumdeuter Thomas Muller is unlikely to move to Saudi Arabia when his time in Germany is up.

Instead, a free transfer to Los Angeles FC could be conceivable, given their relationship with Bayern.

The website notes: "Muller is like a character from a Bavarian fairytale and so typical of the region - in the way he looks, carries himself and lives his life - that it is near impossible to imagine him existing in any other part of the world.

"And yet he will have to. There is next to no chance that he will play for another German club; that’s inconceivable. Given that he will turn 36 in September, the attritional physicality of the Premier League is likely not on the table, either. Saudi Arabia is a non-starter, it would seem, leaving only the United States and MLS as a likely destination. 

"Bayern have a partnership with Los Angeles FC, primarily to identify and develop young talent, but Muller has been discussed by the two clubs, though not with any resolution."

Fulham full-back Antonee Robinson is on the list of potential left-backs to be signed by Liverpool this summer.

The Mirror believes that Milos Kerkez of Bournemouth, and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Rayan Ait-Nouri are two other options.

The paper reports: "Robinson has competition and Liverpool’s sporting director [Richard] Hughes knows all about Kerkez having signed him for Bournemouth from AZ Alkmaar in 2023. The Hungarian international has flourished at the Vitality Stadium, weighing in with two goals and five assists.
"Bournemouth know Kerkez could soon be off to a bigger club and would want around £40 million for the 21-year-old, whose Cherries deal runs until 2028. Ait-Nouri is another option for Liverpool and the 23-year-old Algerian has four goals and five assists this season.

"He would be the cheaper option and he will have just a year left on his Wolves contract this summer, although the club have the option of extending that by 12 months to 2027. Hughes and Liverpool have a big call to make this summer."

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