Mauricio Pochettino has been announced as the new Manchester United manager, replacing Michael Carrick, but could face a setback with captain Bruno Fernandes reportedly rejecting a fresh contract offer. Meanwhile, Arsenal are targeting Real Madrid forward Endrick and RB Leipzig winger Antonio Nusa, while Chelsea and Liverpool are monitoring several players ahead of the January transfer window.
Pochettino's Start Date and First Targets
Manchester United have confirmed that Pochettino will oversee a double-header before starting work at Old Trafford on Wednesday, November 18. This gives the Argentine only a few training sessions before his first match in charge, a Premier League trip to Liverpool on Sunday, November 22.
Pochettino is expected to bring four members of his backroom staff with him to Manchester. According to TEAMtalk, he is eyeing two members of his USA national squad, with defender Alex Freeman and striker Folarin Balogun of interest after working with the pair for the past two years.
Arsenal's Transfer Plans
Arsenal are eyeing a potential January move for Endrick, but reports in Spain claim they will face competition from Roma and Sporting, who are both keen to take the Brazilian on loan until the end of the season. A loan move may favour Endrick as he is not yet ready to give up on his Real Madrid career.
Former Norway midfielder Kristoffer Lokberg believes Nusa is ready to make another step in his career and says Arsenal are the strongest option. Speaking on NRK's Bakrommet podcast, via Sport Witness, he said: "He is one of the world's most exciting left-wingers. We have been waiting for his potential to come to full bloom, but now it is exploding. Big clubs can no longer sit on the fence, they must act quickly before he disappears, or they will be left regretting it."
Lokberg continued: "The completely obvious option in the Premier League is Arsenal. The player fits their playing style, and the club has a real need. They basically only have Tzolis and a slightly half-hearted Eberechi Eze as options on the left wing. I think Arsenal sit around every day, weighing whether to pull the trigger."
Nusa's Price and Other Moves
German newspaper Bild report that Arsenal have already sent scouts to watch Nusa's recent performances in the Bundesliga. The 21-year-old has scored four goals and set up seven for teammates in nine Bundesliga games this season. Leipzig are said to be reluctant to sell in the winter window, with a €80m (£67m) asking price set, more than the £50m fee mooted recently.
Chelsea are confident of securing a deal for Alex Scott when the window opens, while Liverpool are monitoring Mexico youngster Gilberto Mora and Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara. Trent Alexander-Arnold continues to be linked with a return to Anfield after leaving for Real Madrid.
Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham are also monitoring Aston Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, who has attracted interest from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain after arriving from Parma for £30m in the summer.
