Manchester United Transfer News: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Reece Oxford Rumours

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal will reportedly be the main obstacle in the club’s pursuit of Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

According to Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail, there are “reservations” about Van Gaal from the Gabon international, who has been strongly linked with the Old Trafford club. The piece also said the style of play deployed by the Red Devils boss is off-putting and will “be taken into consideration” by the club when making a decision on his future.

After a 3-1 win over AFC Bournemouth on Tuesday confirmed United’s position in fifth in the Premier League, Van Gaal said the club needs “creative, fast attackers” to move forward, per James Robson of the Manchester Evening News. Aubameyang certainly ticks those boxes:

At the Westfalenstadion, he has taken his game on to new heights this term under the astute guidance of Thomas Tuchel. The Gabon man has always been a threat to defences with his blistering pace and versatility; now he’s added a composure in front of goal, netting 25 times in the Bundesliga this term, he’s one of the most feared forwards in the world.

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Naturally, he’d make United a more fearsome prospect in the final third, although even someone with his talent would find it tough to excel in a system deployed by Van Gaal that’s so rigid and often debilitating to attacking players.

Bleacher Report’s Rob Blanchette summed up just how poor United have been in front of goal:

Dortmund are the antithesis of that. They play with intent, freedom and purpose under Tuchel, something they’ll be able to showcase once again in the UEFA Champions League next season following a one-year hiatus. After their fifth-placed finish, that’s not something the Red Devils can offer the player.

As noted by the Daily Mirror’s Jack Lang, if he does stay at Dortmund, next season Aubameyang will also be part of what promises to be a fearsome forward line:

A move may well be on Aubameyang’s mind, but it’ll be a huge decision for him should he depart BVB. If he does, he’ll want to join a team that is on the up, playing at the pinnacle of the game and operating with a tactical blueprint that suits his qualities. At the moment, United don’t fulfil that criteria.

Reece Oxford Demands Revealed

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According to Andrew Dillon of the Sun, West Ham United teenager Reece Oxford wants £40,000-a-week to sign a new contract with the club, with Manchester United and Manchester City said to be interested in pinching him.

It was reported by Sky Sports News HQ that the 17-year-old had rejected a new deal with the Irons, meaning he could leave the club for a sum in excess of £10 million. According to Dillon, West Ham are “holding out” on matching the wages request having already “offered him a significant pay rise.”

The player himself laughed off speculation about his future on social media this week, though, as we can see here:

Oxford turned in a hugely mature display on the first day of the season, as he made his debut for the club as a 16-year-old in the 2-0 win over Arsenal. The teenager is a versatile talent, able to slot in at centre-back or at the base of the midfield—the latter a job he did so well at the Emirates Stadium in the aforementioned victory.

United have a core of quality young players at the club, so it’d be no surprise if they were intent on adding another in Oxford. However, he’s still in the nascent stages of his career, and a move for big money to an illustrious club would heap a lot of pressure on his young shoulders. For the time being he needs consistency to play, learn and develop.