Manchester United wanted to sign Arsenal star before he agreed new 5-year deal at Emirates

Manchester United were interested in signing Arsenal star William Saliba before he agreed a new long-term contract with Arsenal, according to RMC Sport journalist Fabrice Hawkins.

Saliba, 22, was an integral part as the north London giants won the Premier League title last season. The importance of the defender was that the team failed to win six of their last 11 league matches after he suffered a back injury. This rut ​​allowed Manchester City to take the lead and snatch the title.

There were doubts about the France international’s future at Arsenal, with his previous contract expiring next year. However, it emerged at the weekend that he had agreed to commit his future to the club.

Saliba has reportedly agreed to put paper on a four-year deal with Mikel Arteta’s side. According to the aforementioned source, there is also a clause to extend the contract for another 12 months, effectively tying the player to the club until 2028.

Paris Saint-Germain has been linked with a move for the defender amid uncertainty about his future. It seems Les Parisiens wasn’t the only club keeping tabs on the Frenchman’s situation.

According to Hawkins, Manchester United and Bayern Munich were also interested in Saliba. But Arsenal avoided the interest of major clubs, including arch-rivals Manchester United, to retain Saliba’s services.

Saliba joined Arsenal from French club Saint-Etienne for £30m in 2019. He didn’t make his debut for the Premier League giants until last August, having spent the previous three years on loan in France.

So far, the defender has played 33 matches across competitions with Arteta, scoring three goals and assisting.

Arsenal and Manchester United are tracking Mohamed Kudos

Mohamed Kudos has scored 23 goals and provided 10 assists in 83 appearances across competitions for Ajax since joining from Nordjylland for £7.8m in 2020. He also helped the Dutch giants win three titles, including two in the Eredivisie.

Having spent three seasons in the Netherlands, Kodos, 22, is keen to take on an even bigger challenge. Hence, he informed Ajax of his desire to leave before the 2023-24 season.

The Amsterdam-based club would reportedly prefer to sell Kudos this summer rather than allow him into the final two years of his contract. Thus, there are suggestions that he could be available for around £40m.

Despite the high price tag, Kudos would have few options if Cruyff left the Arena. Arsenal and Manchester United are among the clubs interested in signing the Ghana international. Newcastle United are also said to be in the mix.