Is Matheus Cunha to Man Utd likely? Could Jack Grealish move? – Ask Ornstein

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Today, we ran the latest edition of our subscriber-exclusive Ask Ornstein Q&A.

Once a week for an hour, The Athletic’s subscribers can ask me for my views on anything from the football world. I have pulled together some of my favourite questions and my answers below.

Got a question? Join us again next Thursday.

David S. asked: “Hi David. Would you class Matheus Cunha as likely to Manchester United?”

David Ornstein: This is the current direction of travel, David. Let’s see if anything changes that, but the reporting to date has been fairly accurate, and Manchester United are in a strong position.

We understand Cunha wants to join United but they will need to agree personal terms and, if that happens, trigger the release clause once it becomes active. I’m not aware of any contact with Wolves yet but that is not necessary at this point.

So it’s technically not “close” yet — but there is an expectation it could well develop pretty rapidly.

Joe P. asked: “It’s clearly not working for Jack Grealish. Are there any takers? Spurs perhaps?”

Ornstein: I could see a move — presumably on loan — but I’m not aware of takers emerging yet and the big question would be how his salary gets covered. This is not information, just me speculating… I’d be intrigued to see if a club such as Newcastle could help bring him back to the level we know he possesses and they’re among the teams looking to strengthen in the wide attacking areas.

Tottenham Hotspur are, too, but I’m not sure a switch to London would be on the agenda. Everton are an interesting possibility in my mind, especially as they need players, are heading into an amazing new stadium and that would keep him close to home in the north west. Villa is presumably a no-go.

I personally still think he has plenty to offer at City, but we can’t deny it has been an unsatisfactory season. It would be good to see him playing regularly and flourishing again, which might not be possible at the Etihad Stadium.

Grealish has been in and out of the team at City this season (Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Shane L. asked: “Hi David. Are there still any links to Alejandro Garnacho leaving? Thanks.”

Ornstein: Yes, we understand this to be highly possible — if proposals are deemed suitable by Manchester United and Garnacho himself.

As we know, exits for the likes of Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony, Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund are also plausible, while the salaries of Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelof will leave the wage bill.

There’s a growing sense that Kobbie Mainoo will stay, although there is a contract situation with him that needs to be addressed.

Tadiwa M. asked: “Hi David, please can you give an update on Chelsea’s transfers? Particularly who they are targeting on the wings. Thanks.”

Ornstein: As I and many others have reported, Tadiwa, it’s names like Nico Williams, Jamie Gittens and Garnacho that Chelsea are considering. They probably aren’t the only candidates, though, and it is a position Chelsea can be expected to strengthen this summer.

Matthew D. asked: “You previously spoke about Morgan Gibbs-White being a target for Manchester City. Is this in addition to Florian Wirtz or an alternative to Wirtz?”

Ornstein: I don’t envisage them both joining City, Matthew, but both are among the names they are looking at.

Ryan M. asked: “Hi David. Can you elaborate on why Victor Osimhen isn’t on the agenda for United? Is it down to wages, transfer fee, etc?”

Ornstein: The feeling among most Premier League clubs that have looked into the possibility seems to be that the salary expectations are difficult to meet, and he is perhaps not the player/character they are looking for at present.

The consensus among these teams seems to be that Saudi Arabia could well prove his destination, but let’s see how it pans out. No doubt he is a brilliant goalscorer and those are in short supply!

Gu99Ner asked: “Hi David, appreciate all your great work. Was really hoping you could answer the following: Arsenal’s reported interest in Dean Huijsen may have come as a bit of a shock to some — can you reveal the depth to which their interest extends to, and if it is contingent on exits (e.g. Jakub Kiwior)? Would Huijsen also be open to joining the club even though he is almost sure to play second fiddle to William Saliba and Gabriel, especially with other teams like Chelsea, Spurs and Newcastle lurking who can offer ‘first team football’? Thanks and have a great day.”

Ornstein: Arsenal’s interest in Huijsen was first mentioned here — it is strong and they remain in contention. They are among the clubs (with Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle and Tottenham) who have met his representatives, with Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta keen to sign the Spain international.

Whether or not Arsenal win the race is unclear because it’s still open and I’m not aware of a front-runner between them, Chelsea and Liverpool to date. Real Madrid have always carried huge appeal to Huijsen, we hear, but so far they haven’t moved on this situation and I’m sure he is philosophical about that.

Previously, I thought Kiwior exiting Arsenal was highly possible… that may be less certain following his recent rise to prominence. Either way, Huijsen would play a lot of football at Arsenal and they can now show him many examples of how, under Arteta, players have developed extremely well to become top-level talents.

Now, this doesn’t mean he will opt for them; there are pros and cons to each of the suitors, all of whom are ready to pay the release clause. Huijsen and Bournemouth want it sorted sooner rather than later. Let’s see what he decides!

Huijsen is being chased by a number of clubs (Mateo Villalba/Getty Images)

Jack H. asked: “Hey David, are Liverpool, as of today, still attempting to keep Trent Alexander-Arnold or do they see it as a lost cause? Many thanks and hope you’re well.”

Ornstein: As has been widely reported, Jack, he is expected to join Real Madrid as a free agent.

Eoin C. asked: “Hi David — a nice and simple question for you. What’s the most realistic landing spot for Liam Delap? Based on player preference and those close to him, not the clubs being linked.”

Ornstein: No favourite yet, Eoin. He will assess all of the many options and consider what level he wants to take his next step at. I suspect he’ll then whittle it down to a small number of candidates and make a decision before the Under-21 Euros.

We know the contenders — including Ipswich, by the way — and the destination will become apparent over the next month or so.

Eli K. asked: “Hi David, as usual, it looks like all of Palace’s best players are rumoured to be moving away. Do you expect any movement from the likes of Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Adam Wharton, etc? Also, do you have any insight into the transfer policy after Dougie Freedman’s departure?”

Ornstein: Eze is a release clause, so it’s there to be done. Many clubs like — and will be looking at — him, but I’m not aware of any concrete movement yet. Same with Guehi (except there’s no clause). Approaching the final 12 months of Guehi’s contract, it’s a big decision for Palace and the player — depending on what offers come in. You’ll remember Newcastle last summer and he is among those Chelsea are considering.

Mateta is incredible, and it wouldn’t surprise me if Palace get some big approaches, but I don’t know of any so far. Wharton is a wizard and he is going to the very top. I can’t see how some of the biggest clubs don’t explore luring him from Selhurst this summer and, if so, let’s see how Palace respond. I don’t think the post-Freedman picture is clear yet but I’ll come back to that in the next weeks no doubt.

Daniel L. asked: “David, overlooking the usual suspects on transfer rumours, have you got anything for the other clubs? Updates on Everton targets/contracts ahead of their huge overhaul? West Ham? Wolves? Even Brentford/Brighton, etc — anything on these clubs? It would be nice to see some transfer news outside the usual suspects.”

Ornstein: Agree with you, Daniel, and apologies for how those clubs have dominated here in recent weeks. That will inevitably change in the months ahead as the window evolves and we get more info on their work. I don’t have many specifics just yet, and that might largely be because some of them are fairly new set-ups and, therefore, still getting their plans together.

Everton have new ownership, fresh executives arriving and something like 12 players under contract this summer. West Ham are going into their first full market under Graham Potter and his sidekick Kyle Macaulay, following the departure of sporting director Tim Steidten.

It’s a maiden off-season for Vitor Pereira at Wolves; Matt Hobbs is widely regarded as having done an excellent job around recruitment and squad building but how they approach this trading period is probably still being determined. Brentford and Brighton are more settled, of course, and it’s likely both will do another round of shrewd business.

Definitely a topic I’ll come back to for you!

(Top photo: Getty Images)

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