Manchester United & Liverpool go head-to-head for Villarreal forward Arnaut Danjuma

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By Martin Graham | 5th Jun 2022

According to reports, Newcastle United have pulled out of the race to sign Villarreal winger Arnaut Danjuma who will now be the subject of a bidding war between Manchester United and Liverpool.

Danjuma has been reported to be seeking a way out of the Spanish top tier because he has not felt settled in Villarreal. This is despite his incredible performance which saw him finish as the club’s top scorer in the UEFA Champions League and with 16 goals in all competitions (10 goals in 23 league appearances).

He has not been short of options to leave, however, because the three clubs have long been linked with the Dutch forward after he showed in his first half-season that he could perform on the biggest stages. However, latest reports now claim that the coast is clearer for Man United and Liverpool as Newcastle and their money have pulled out of the race.

A Newcastle move would have seen the 25-year-old forward, who played at Bournemouth where he grabbed Villarreal’s attention, team up with the Cherries most successful manager in modern time, Eddie Howe.

Danjuma prefers England move

The Nigerian-born Dutch forward acknowledged the interest from the Premier League and hinted that the league is his choice if he is to get a move away from the Estadio de la Ceramica.

“I 100 per cent enjoyed my time in England,” Danjuma said in April. “Looking back now I no way appreciated it as much as I should have done when I lived there. For me, it’s just such a nice country to live in and I’m fluent in the language so that helps as well. I’m trying my best at Spanish as well. I’ve got family that still lives in England.

“In terms of the Premier League, it’s indescribable. The thing I will never forget in the Premier League is the fans. If you just walk into the stadium you cannot replicate the feeling of a Premier League game elsewhere in the world, it’s different.”

He also acknowledged the interest from Liverpool but stated that he has had no contact with anybody from the club concerning a move.