Manchester United are to make a strong push to sign an electric striker after seeing their Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting hopes fade, Newcastle are chasing a talented LaLiga playmaker, while Thursday’s Transfer Gossip claims an Everton star is heading for West Ham.

TEN HAG GIVEN HOPE OF SIGNING VICTOR OSIMHEN AT MAN UTD

Manchester United boss Eric ten Hag has identified Victor Osimhem as his No 1 striker target – and reports claim there is a growing belief he can sign him.

The United manager spent around £216m over the summer in the first wave of his Red Devils rebuilding. Six players arrived through the doors at Old Trafford, with Ten Hag making a solid start to his spell in charge.

Indeed, United sit fifth heading into the final two games – one Carabao Cup and one Premier League game – before the World Cup.

As such, optimism is high that the club can continue to be upwardly mobile.

However, Ten Hag knows he needs further reinforcements and has a new right-back and a new goalkeeper in his sights.

But their next major signing may well be a new striker. Doubts continue to emerge on the future of Cristiano Ronaldo. And our exclusive revealed that a January exit to Sporting Lisbon for Ronaldo now looks a growing possibility.

As such, United are readying a striker signing themselves in 2023 – and the Manchester Evening News reports that Osimhen is top of that list.

The Napoli striker is regarded as one of European football’s best strikers, with interest in him growing. Indeed, as well as United the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are also keen.

But there is a growing belief United can land their man with Napoli ready to sell. And while a January deal looks unlikely with Napoli chasing the Serie A title, a summer 2023 swoop appears very much on the cards.

Napoli value Osimhen at £85m with financial pressures meaning they will need to sell.

Osimhen has 75 goals in 165 career appearances to date, including 37 in 75 for Napoli.

Eric Choupo-Moting hopes fade for Man Utd

News that they have a strong chance of landing Osimhen in the summer will come as a boost to United.

One man they were looking at as a stop-gap measure in January was Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.

The Cameroon striker is nearing the end of his Bayern Munich deal and may be available on a cut-price fee in January. As such, Ten Hag reportedly saw the former Stoke man as an ideal short-term replacement for Ronaldo.

However, Bayern Munich’s director of football Hasan Salihamidzic insists his club have no intention of allowing him to leave.

Speaking to Sky Deutchsland, Salihamidzic said: “We’d love to keep him. I’ve a good relationship with his agent.

“We’ll meet and see if we can satisfy him. He’s a big asset for us. We are in contact and Choupo feels comfortable in Munich.”

Choupo-Moting also recently outlined his intentions of staying loyal to Bayern.

“I’m just focused on FC Bayern and the here and now. I’m very, very happy and could imagine staying here longer.”

NEWCASTLE KEEN ON £44M NABIL FEKIR DEAL

Newcastle are reportedly looking to sign Nabil Fekir in January amid claims he has been put up for sale by Real Betis.

The France playmaker almost moved to England back in 2018 when only a failed medical prevented a big-money move to Liverpool.

However, he ultimately moved to LaLiga with Betis and has gone on to become a major player for Los Verdiblancos.

Now, according to Mundo Deportivo, the player will be made available in the January winter. Betis want to cash in on the 29-year-old and use the funds for rebuilding their side.

Per the report, Betis are seeking £44m (€50m) for the 25-times capped France star.

That charge is seemingly led by Newcastle, with Eddie Howe looking to add a little extra quality to his midfield ranks.

Their No 1 target, however, remains James Maddison, with Newcastle once again urged to make their move for the England hopeful.

But should they fail to land the Leicester star, then Fekir may well come into their sights.

The asking price does seem a little steep, however, and Newcastle may look to reduce that fee.

The club’s owners, PIF are, however, reportedly preparing to invest a further £70m into the squad in January as they look to make their Champions League hopes a reality.

WEST HAM CHASING MICHAEL KEANE DEAL

West Ham are exploring a potential January deal for Everton defender Michael Keane, per reports.

The former Manchester United man has fallen down the pecking order at Goodison Park under Frank Lampard. Indeed, the summer signings of Conor Coady and James Tarkowski has sidelined Keane – and now a move away looks to be on the cards.

Per Football Insider, Everton are willing to accept around £10m for the 12-times capped England defender.

Keane has been limited to just 22 minutes of Premier League action this season – but salvation at West Ham may be on the cards.

Their manager David Moyes is a fan of Keane and reportedly wants to bring him to the London Stadium.

Keane is reportedly open to the move too after seeing is career stall under Lampard. As such, a fresh start very much looks on the cards.

The 29-year-old moved to Goodison Park in July 2017 for a fee of £25m and has made 189 appearances for the club.

READ MORE: West Ham lead Forest and Bournemouth in chase for USA star hoping for big World Cup

The article Transfer Gossip: Ten Hag to land £85m striker as Man Utd truths on Choupo-Moting emerge; Howe dreaming of £44m playmaker swoop at Newcastle appeared first on Teamtalk.com.