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Eriksen exit exclusive

Christian Eriksen will be handed the chance to rejoin first club Ajax this summer — if Manchester United agree to a pay-off.

But the Danish midfielder, 32, is set to sit tight until Erik ten Hag’s future is sorted, in case his old Spurs gaffer Mauricio Pochettino comes in.

Eriksen has 12 months left on his £150,000-a-week contract but United are keen to get some of the higher earners off the books to help fund Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s planned rebuild.

Yet with no chance of players matching their Old Trafford wages elsewhere, United face using a hefty slice of the summer budget to ease them out.

United would not ask for a fee for Eriksen as long as that is factored into any agreement over the remainder of his contract.

Ten Hag United lifeline

Erik ten Hag’s future at Manchester United appears to be intact – at least until next week when club chiefs will reportedly conduct a season review.

Ten Hag masterminded a 2-1 win over Manchester City in Saturday’s FA Cup final to see the Red Devils lift the trophy for the 13th time in their history.

Red Devils chiefs have already been in contact with other potential candidates, with former assistant coach Kieran McKenna and ex-Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel among them.

However, Ten Hag’s win in the Cup may have given him a lifeline for next season ahead of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos’ first summer in charge of the Old Trafford outfit’s football operation.

According to The Athletic, Ratcliffe and Ineos INEOS sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford intend to “objectively assess all aspects” of the campaign in the next week or so.

Despite success in the FA Cup, Ten Hag is more than aware of how the season has gone overall, calling it “rubbish” himself.

Chelsea in for £20m Trafford

Chelsea are ready to make a £20million bid for Burnley keeper and England hopeful James Trafford.

The Stamford Bridge club see Trafford as a long-term No 1 despite a bumpy start to his Premier League career at Turf Moor.

Many feel the stopper will come good even though he was dropped by Vincent Kompany before the Clarets slipped out of the top flight.

Trafford, 21, is in the initial 33-man England squad for Euro 2024 and looks set to be thrown a Premier League lifeline.

Chelsea want to sign future stars and Trafford is in that category.

He joined Burnley from Manchester City for £15m last summer following his Young Lions heroics — not conceding a single goal as England won the Under-21 Euros.

Reds want winger

Liverpool want to add Mainz winger Brajan Gruda to their ranks.

The 19-year-old is contracted to the German club until 2026.

However, they could be willing to sell the player if the right offer comes along.

It is believed £20million will be enough to tempt them into Gruda’s sale.

Simons praise

Ruud Van Nistelrooy has sang the praises of Arsenal target Xavi Simons.

 “Xavi Simons is in the spotlight, he is not a new discovery, but I think that he will continue to grow to a world-class level.

“I had him at PSV, now he is at Leipzig taking his next steps. I say that he is a player for a great team even as a starter.

“He has character, he is professional, he is focused on getting the most out of his potential.

“And then he has quality, he is very complete, he knows how to do many things well. He can dribble, he scores goals, he is great in transitions, he plays in small spaces. I see him as very complete.”

Bayern Munch are also said to be monitoring the top talent.

Nunes up for sale

Man City are willing to listen to offers for Matheus Nunes, according to reports.

The ex-Wolves midfielder has struggled for game time at the Etihad.

Now, the Cityzens appear to want to cut ties with the Portuguese star, claims journalist Graeme Bailey.

Saudi clubs are said to be circling.