By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

9th Apr, 2023 | 6:59pm

Pete O'Rourke transfer column: Leicester ready to accept £50m Tottenham bid, West Ham next manager revealed, Man United lead £40m race, Liverpool handed Nunes boost

Welcome to the latest edition of my biweekly column – bringing you exclusive transfer and contract news, as well as news from the Premier League, EFL, Scottish Premiership and beyond.

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MAN UNITED

The Red Devils are leading the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen youngster Jeremie Frimpong.

The 22-year-old has been in incredible form for the Bundesliga side, and as a result he’s attracted interest from Bayern Munich, Barcelona and United.

It is understood that Leverkusen want between £40-50million for Frimpong this summer – a fee United are happy to match.

However, should Bayern hijack United’s move for Frimpong, the Manchester club could instead turn their attention towards Benjamin Pavard who would be competing with Frimpong in Munich.

The arrival of either Pavard or Frimpong spells bad news for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Erik ten Hag prefers to keep hold of Diogo Dalot at Old Trafford, paving the way for Wan-Bissaka to leave this summer.

Wan-Bissaka was close to departing United in January but stayed to help address the defensive injuries at the club over the winter.

However, a summer exit now looks inevitable and West Ham and Crystal Palace are both circling.

The Hammers are long-term admirers of the defender but understand that they will need to avoid relegation if they are to table a bid at the end of the season.

Alongside a right-back, United are also keen on making Marcel Sabitzer‘s stay a permanent one.

The 29-year-old joined on a six-month loan from Bayern Munich in January, and my sources inform me that Ten Hag is a huge admirer of his professionalism, fitness and mentality.

Bayern are happy to let him leave provided that United meet their £25-30million asking price. Sabitzer is happy at Old Trafford and is pushing to stay.

But while Sabitzer is set to stay, United aren’t expected to sign loanee Wout Weghorst when his deal expires in the summer.

While Ten Hag has been happy with his contributions, the 30-year-old Dutchman was never intended to be a long-term signing, with United intent on bringing a top-class centre-forward to the club in the summer.

Sabitzer’s arrival could also push Scott McTominay to an Old Trafford departure.

The Scotland international has told the United board that he is prepared to quit in the summer if he is pushed further down the pecking order.

McTominay has already seen his game time reduced after the summer arrivals of Christian Eriksen and Casemiro, and he views another central midfielder signing as a huge threat to his role at the club.

Newcastle United and West Ham are both keeping tabs on McTominay’s situation in anticipation of a summer move.

If Sabitzer’s move falls through, United have also shortlisted Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga as a potential target.

The 20-year-old has enjoyed a breakout season in Spain and United have sent multiple scouts to watch the Spaniard, with many returning with rave reviews.

READ MORE EXCLUSIVE MAN UNITED NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS

CHELSEA

Chelsea could cash in on Hakim Ziyech this summer.

After spending heavily in the summer and winter windows, the Blues need to balance the books and thin their squad.

With Ziyech out of favour at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea are willing to accept bids between £20-30milion for the 30-year-old.

Paris Saint-Germain are the favourites to secure his signature in the summer, with the French giants set to rekindle their interest in him after their January loan move collapsed.

The French giants view Ziyech as a great backup option for their star-studded frontline.

Tottenham, West Ham and Fulham have also registered interest in signing Ziyech this summer, but I understand that Ziyech would prefer a move to Paris.

READ MORE EXCLUSIVE CHELSEA NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS

LIVERPOOL

The Reds are still pushing to sign Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes this summer.

Jurgen Klopp’s side almost signed the Portugal international last summer before Wolves beat them to a £38million move.

However, Liverpool still see Nunes as a top target for their summer rebuild, even after Wolves removed a release clause in his contract.

From my sources, I understand that Nunes had a £44million release clause, but Wolves have removed it and are now demanding a fee over £50million.

But relegation will see that asking price slashed to around £30million, with Wolves aware that they would not be able to afford Nunes’ wages in the Championship.

READ MORE EXCLUSIVE LIVERPOOL NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS

LEICESTER CITY

I understand that Leicester are planning to appoint an interim manager until the end of the season.

If they are able to avoid relegation, they will make an approach for Graham Potter.

The former Brighton boss has informed clubs that he will not consider any proposals until the end of the current campaign.

The Foxes have made Potter their top manager target and informed the ex-Chelsea boss that they are willing to wait until the summer to appoint him.

READ MORE EXCLUSIVE LEICESTER NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS

TOTTENHAM

Tottenham now lead the race to sign James Maddison.

The 26-year-old is into the last year of his Leicester contract, and there is a growing fear at the King Power Stadium that he could leave on a free transfer if not sold this summer.

It is understood that Leicester will accept bids of around £50million for Maddison – who has more Premier League goals and assists this season than Son – this summer – a fee Tottenham are willing to meet.

Spurs have leapfrogged Newcastle and Liverpool in the race for Maddison, and are willing to sign the England international even without receiving the approval of their new manager.

The North London club don’t want to stall and wait for a new manager in the summer only to lose out on Maddison, who is a long-term target for the side.

As for Tottenham’s manager search, I understand that they have committed to Julian Nagelsmann as their first-choice candidate.

The German coach wants to wait until the summer to join a new project, and Spurs are ready to go head-to-head with Chelsea for his signature.

READ MORE EXCLUSIVE TOTTENHAM NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS

WEST HAM

David Moyes narrowly avoided the sack at West Ham with Saturday’s 1-0 win over London rivals Fulham.

The Hammers were prepared to pull the trigger and sack the Scotsman had his side not picked up all three points.

If Moyes is unable to steady the ship at the London Stadium and is sacked by the board, I understand that Rafa Benitez is the club’s first-choice replacement.

The London club were in touch with the Spaniard earlier this season when pressure was growing around Moyes’ future, and the board remain keen to bring him in if results don’t improve.

READ MORE EXCLUSIVE WEST HAM NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS