Football news: Man Utd to go after £40m hitman as Bukayo Saka speaks out on next move

Manchester United are planning for the summer and will look to pursue Ipswich frontman Liam Delap whilst Bukayo Saka has made it clear he has no desire to leave Arsenal

None of the Premier League’s top five won at the weekend with questions being asked about several teams. Liverpool’s unbeaten run came to an end at Fulham with their form in recent weeks continuing to ring alarm bells.

Manchester City played out a goalless stalemate in the derby with Pep Guardiola’s side – and Manchester United – putting in poor performances to underline how much both teams need to rebuild. Ruben Amorim desperately needs a summer transfer window whilst City need to bring down the age profile of their side.

Arsenal meanwhile will return to Champions League action on Tuesday night when they host Real Madrid at the Emirates. Triumphing in Europe is their only realistic hope of winning silverware such is the gap at the top of the Premier League with Bukayo Saka back in the fold.

Here’s the latest news from around the top flight’s elite clubs as Virgil van Dijk issues a rallying cry after their latest setback.

READ MORE: Jamie Carragher pinpoints Liverpool issue they have ‘always lacked’ after Fulham defeatREAD MORE: Andre Onana risks Man Utd fan anger as he defends tactics after Old Trafford jeers

Saka makes contract stance clear

Saka has maintained “I want to win wearing this badge” after being quizzed on his Arsenal future. The winger has two years left on his deal but he is beginning to be questioned on his next move, but insists his focus fixed firmly on matters in north London.

There has previously been talk of a move away with Liverpool and Man City linked, but the England star looks to have nailed his colours to the mast with Arsenal. Mikel Arteta has led a renaissance at the club, even if silverware has been hard to come by in recent years. Arsenal are again in a position to challenge and Saka wants to add to the FA Cup he won in 2020, which remains his only major honour.

He said: “Yeah well for me I want to win and I want to win wearing this badge, so its pretty clear the fans know how much I love them. You saw when I came on on Tuesday, I think they love me back and its a good relationship. I’m very happy to be here and I’m just focused on winning here.”

Man Utd to go after ex-Man City man

United have made Ipswich frontman Liam Delap their top target ahead of the summer. He has become the man Amorim wants after delving through a shortlist that included Victor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko, Victor Osimhen and Hugo Ekiteke.

Delap has bagged 12 goals in 30 outings for the Tractor Boys this term, even though they are destined for relegation. If Kieran McKenna’s side do drop to the Championship then Delap is said to be available for £40million.

The Red Devils have made Delap their first choice option despite knowing that they would help boost the budget of cross-town rivals Man City, according to reports. After tying Erling Haaland down to a long-term deal it seems unlikely Guardiola’s side will enact a £40m buy-back clause but it is said they are entitled to 20 per cent of any profit made from Delap’s sale.

Van Dijk makes Liverpool feeling clear

Van Dijk insists Liverpool’s “mentality” will never allow them to become complacent in the title race. Liverpool remained 11 points clear at the top of the league despite losing their 26-game unbeaten run with defeat at Fulham.

The Reds have seen their form drop off in recent weeks with performances and results nosediving. Their treble hopes were curtailed with defeats in the Champions League and the Carabao Cup whilst even in the Premier League their displays have dipped, but their skipper insists they know they are not home and dry.

Liverpool captain van Dijk said: “We have to make it work and we will. We will be training quite a lot and we are in a very good position but games like Fulham, especially in the first half, show the job is not done and I’ve been saying it every week.” He also added: “We know how tough the Premier League is, we know we have to keep going and keep fighting and work our socks off.”

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