Manchester United handed boost as transfer target 'keen' on future Premier League move

Manchester United need to return to winning ways this weekend against Southampton. They head into the match on the back of two leagues defeats in a row against Brighton and Hove Albion and Liverpool before the international break.

Their upcoming opponents were promoted from the Championship last season after beating Leeds United in the play-off final at Wembley. Here is a look at some of the latest news and rumours...

Target latest

United and Arsenal target Xavi Simons is ‘keen’ on a move to the Premier League in the future, according to Bild (via TEAMtalk). The 21-year-old is currently a key player for RB Leipzig on loan from PSG.

Simons, who is a Holland international with 22 caps under his belt, caught the eye at Euro 2024 this past summer. His country got to the semi-finals where they were beaten by England.

The attacking midfielder has also played for Barcelona and PSV in the past. He has scored 11 goals in 46 games for Leipzig so far. Their managing director Marcel Schäfer has said, as per ESPN: “It was an amazing signal I think for everyone that we as a club are achieving the next level because we kept Xavi Simons who, like Dani Olmo, was one of the best players in Europe and one of the high potential stars last summer.

"But he was very clear about his personal career plan. He wants to be a key player, he wants to be a leader, for him to make the next step. And afterwards, yeah, everything is possible for him. He embodies what we as a club are: no limits, [and] we can reach everything. We try to reach the maximum as a team with all our players and of course with Xavi as a key player in our offensive."

He added: “About next summer, it's just three official games [in the season so far], so it's difficult to say, but of course it's our goal ... To keep our best players, [while] always finding a good balance between keeping the core and [re-affirming] the philosophy with transfers who are signals for everyone."

Newcastle United eye ex-United man

Newcastle United are interested in a move for former United man Angel Gomes at Lille, according to The Sun. He has recently been called up to the England national team.

The Three Lions’ interim boss Lee Carsley has said: "He loves football, he watches football, he's interested in tactics.He knows all the players in any league. If you ask him for any feedback, you need to be prepared that he's going to give you some feedback on the session, or how we're going to build up, or the positions. He'll often say about some build-ups he's done with other clubs, or what he's played against, because he's obviously playing in France, so he sees different things."

Gomes played for the Red Devils from 2006 to 2020 and played 10 first-team games. The 24-year-old has been an important player for Lille over the past four years.