MANCHESTER UNITED have discussed the signing of two England strikers during the summer transfer window.
United are making a lot of progress in their bid to land Bologna star Joshua Zirkzee, who could cost up to €40million (£38m).
But Zirkzee is the kind of striker that also likes to cover the wide areas and thus the Red Devils will need a natural centre-forward as well.
According to The Athletic, that is why the Manchester giants are eyeing Brentford star Ivan Toney and Everton ace Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Both forwards have one year left in their contracts and have indicated they won’t be renewing any time soon.
The Bees are thought to rate Toney, 28, at £60m but there is the belief the figure could go down to £40m to avoid losing their star man for free next year.
And the Toffees’ financial struggles means they are open to selling Calvert-Lewin, 27, this summer regardless of his contract situation.
A deal around the £30m mark is viewed as plausible for their star player.
Of course this sort of transfer business would require some further sales from United.
Internally, talks have taken place about both Toney and Calvert-Lewin at Old Trafford.
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The Everton star’s injury history has also been discussed by United’s hierarchy.
However, DCL featured in a total of 38 games last season and played 18 more minutes than Rasmus Hojlund in the Premier League overall.
The striker also scored eight goals and produced three assists across all competitions.
EXPERT football psychologist Professor Geir Jordet has told Gareth Southgate and his players what they can do to give themselves the best chance of victory in any shootouts.
And he has even thrown in a rogue, bold suggestion for the Three Lions manager…
1. START PLANNING LAST YEAR
“It’s about planning for the opposition’s penalty takers but also ‘how do we win the psychological game against each opponent?’
2. SMART SOUTHGATE LEADERSHIP
“Southgate will have two minutes to influence his players as effectively as possible, show he has a plan and get confidence across.”
3. DICTATE AS A TEAM
“A shootout is really a team performance. Have the goalkeeper walk with the penalty taker into the penalty area to basically create a two-versus-one against the other goalkeeper. Dominate the centre circle, support the players who missed.”
4. ‘BULLETPROOF’ INDIVIDUAL ROUTINES
“Have really good, individualised and rehearsed pre-shot routines that are bulletproof and polished so they’re more likely to be able to resist the stress and more likely to score.”
5. SHOOT YOUR SHOT
“Practise the shot itself, trying to simulate penalty shootouts in training. Even recreating 20 per cent of a Euros final penalty shootout is going to have a benefit for your performance.”
AND A JOR DROPPING IDEA…
Jordan Pickford is the No1 but Dean Henderson actually has a far better penalty record – saving 8/22 (36 per cent) compared to Pickford’s 8/62 (13 per cent).
Jordet said: “One could consider making a late substitution for a penalty shootout. I doubt that they dare to do it in case it fails and the pressure is even higher but it would be a very ballsy move.”
STAY in the know this summer with The Sun's transfer experts.
Arsenal and Manchester United are on high alert with Marc Guehi set to reject Crystal Palace’s new contract offer, SunSport can exclusively reveal.
Donny van de Beek is set to leave the Red Devils for a €500k fixed fee plus several add-ons.
Amanda Staveley is set to quit her role at Newcastle this summer after three years leading the club.
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