Man Utd rival Real Madrid for Inter striker, Arsenal eye Barca teenager

Edin Dzeko could return to Manchester with United this month, while Arsenal are monitoring a Barca defender, and Spurs are in for Leandro Trossard….

DZEKO EDIN BACK TO MANCHESTER?
It’s Monday January 9, and today’s striker du jour for Manchester United is Edin Dzeko.

The Red Devils are scouring Europe for a budget option to bolster their flagging forward line, with Anthony Martial currently the only option for Erik ten Hag at centre-forward.

Over the weekend it emerged that United were talking to Burnley and Besiktas in an attempt to borrow Wout Weghorst. Which surprised everyone and no-one.

Now they are being linked with a move for Dzeko. The former Manchester City striker is into the final six months of his contract at Inter Milan, with no renewal on the horizon. Calciomercato reckons United are exploring a move for the veteran, who will be 37 in March, with his goal tally for the season currently at 10 in all competitions.

But they could have competition, with Real Madrid also considering moving for the Bosnian as an alternative to Karim Benzema.

ARSENAL WAIT AS BARCA BUNGLE BALDE DEAL
Arsenal are said to be monitoring Alejandro Balde’s situation at Barcelona…

The 19-year-old has already established himself Xavi’s first-team squad and Barca are keen to pin the left-back down to a new long-term deal. But, as always with Barca, it’s never that simple.

There was talk last month that Balde and Barca had agreed terms over a new five-year deal but because of the club’s continued financial turmoil, they aren’t in a position to register the contract. So Balde remains on a contract currently due to expire in 2024, which is frustrating the teenager.

While that remains the case, Sport says Arsenal are keen to seize their opportunity, with Newcastle also linked with the La Masia graduate.

TOTTENHAM TARGET TROSSARD
Leandro Trossard’s suitors have been encouraged by the Belgium star’s current predicament at Brighton, where the attacker finds himself on Roberto De Zerbi’s bench.

Chelsea have been heavily linked with Trossard since Graham Potter made the move to Stamford Bridge – one he may be regretting now – and while it was thought that the 28-year-old was approaching free agency this year, the Seagulls have the option to extend his current contract for a further 12 months.

But with Trossard left out of the XI for the last two matches, the Daily Mail says Tottenham are also sniffing, with De Zerbi telling the player he must show…