Live Blog
- 31 Jul 2020, 23:59
- Updated: 1 Aug 2020, 0:03
MANCHESTER UNITED are preparing for Europa League action next week as the cup restarts.
And off the field, the Red Devils are looking to bolster their squad with moves for Jadon Sancho and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic mooted while Wilfried Zaha could bring in some very welcome revenue.
Follow all the latest United transfer gossip and news below…
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Ian Tuckey
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YOU MUST PAY A KOUL £81M
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has admitted Manchester United and City target Kalidou Koulibaly may be sold – but only for £81million.
it comes after the Italians beat off reported late interest from United for Lille’s Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen.
De Laurentiis told Sky Italia: “Kalidou is a wonderful person and of course it’d be sad to lose him.
“Everything has a time and a place, even when it comes to going our separate ways.
“‘Having said that, we don’t have €90m (£81m) on the table and in any case, it takes two to separate.”
Senegal skipper and centre-back Koulibaly, 29, has also been linked with Liverpool.
But City emerged as favourites to sign him – at least until they landed Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake.
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DEPAY’S KEY ROLE IN SANCHO DEAL
Memphis Depay is “holding the key” to Jadon Sancho’s big-money move to Manchester United, according to reports.
The Dutchman is wanted by Borussia Dortmund to replace the England winger who is in talks to sign for the Red Devils in a deal believed to be around £108million.
Depay, 26, endured a nightmare stint at United when he signed in 2015 before leaving two years later.
But he could play his most important assist yet if he agrees to join the German side from Lyon.
AS write how Dortmund are ready to pay £41m for his signature – which would mean a £19m profit for the French side.
The winger has reignited his career for Lyon and despite an injury-riddled campaign, has scored nine goals in 12 league starts.
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YOUNG TRAFFORD
Man Utd have the best scoring record for players 26 and under – based on these stats.
But there is one anomaly in the figures regarding Spurs and their England skipper Harry Kane…
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WE’LL FEEL A HOL LOT BETTER
Jack Grealish and James Maddison – both linked with Manchester United – joined Dele Alli for a well-earned break in Ibiza as they put the Prem season and transfer speculation behind them for now.
Spurs star Alli, 24, and Aston Villa ace Grealish, also 24, enjoyed a few ice cold beverages in the blazing Spanish sun.
But Leicester playmaker Maddison, 23, sported a big bandage on his hip after his recent surgery.
The Foxes star missed the end of the season for Brendan Rodgers’ side after going under the knife to treat a persistent tendon issue.
And how crucial he would have been as Leicester – in the top four since December – crashed out on the final day.
A 2-0 home defeat to Manchester United in a game worth £70million meant Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s snatched a Champions League spot.
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MAG YOUR MOVE
Gabriel Magalhaes’ entourage are reportedly in the UK to hash out transfer talks with Manchester United and Everton chiefs.
Lille owner Gerard Lopez admits the Brazil centre-back, 22, who has also been linked with Arsenal, is likely to move on this summer.
Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is desperate to sign a long-term centre-back partner for Harry Maguire, despite Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho sitting top of his transfer wish list.
United signed Maguire for £85million from Leicester last summer while Victor Lindelof, 26, has been at Old Trafford since 2017.
But their performances together this season have left some at United concerned and even more desperate to land a new defender.
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CLOSER TO SAN UTD
Jadon Sancho’s move to Manchester United has edged a step closer – with Borussia Dortmund willing to accept an initial £60million fee, according to reports.
The Bundesliga giants kick-off their pre-season preparations for the 2020-21 season in less than two weeks.
And with the club keen to resolve Sancho’s future one way or the other, in order to line-up a replacement if needed, they’re said to have accepted a cut-price sum.
United finally look set to land their No1 target after a year-long pursuit.
And having once demanding over £100m, Dortmund are said to be willing to accept £60m plus add-ons, say the Independent.
However, the additional, incentivised fees could see the overall transfer fee rocket beyond £100m.
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MORE RAYAN IN MANCHESTER?
Manchester United and City have both reportedly made offers for Angers’ left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri.
The 19-year-old made 17 appearances in the French top flight this season.
His form is said to have attracted attention across Europe, with interest from Manchester increasing.
According to Foot Mercato, United and City have both approached Ait-Ait-Nouri’s agent, Jorge Mendes and offered the defender a deal.
It is claimed Mendes travelled to England with his client on Tuesday and visited the facilities of several clubs, including United and City.
Ait-Nouri could potentially become the most expensive player in Angers’ history.
Former Arsenal midfielder Jeff Reine-Adelaide holds their record after he moved to Lyon for £28million in 2019.
Atletico Madrid, Wolves, Leicester, PSG, Crystal Palace and Monaco are also said to be interested in signing Ait-Nouri.
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NAPOLI BAG UTD TARGET VICTOR
Victor Osimhen has completed his move from Lille to Napoli despite Manchester United’s rumoured late hijack attempt.
Red Devils chiefs are claimed to have made an 11th-hour phonecall to the Nigerian’s agent in a bid to gazump Napoli’s £46m move.
Journalist Ciro Venerato told CalcioNapoli24: “A few hours ago Manchester United phoned Osimhen’s new agent to find out if he had signed with Napoli.
“If an offer from United comes, there would not be many possibilities because they have an economic power superior to that of Napoli.”
But Osimhen, 21, rejected the last-gasp play from United and has officially linked up with the Serie A giants.
The former Lille striker now teams up with Lorenzo Insigne, Hirving Lozano and Dries Mertens in a fearsome-looking attack.
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TOP MARC
Man Utd striker Marcus Rashford has scooped the 2019/20 Academy Graduate award.
Trent Alexander-Arnold won the inaugaral award last year, but the honour has went to Rashford this term following his goalscoring exploits for the Red Devils.
The Academy Graduate award has been created to recognise players aged 23 or under who have made the successful transition from the Academy to the Premier League.
Commenting on the honour, Rashford said: “Thank you very much, on behalf of the Academy.
“It’s obviously a massive step up to get into the Manchester United first team but one that all the young kids are prepared to make because of the way the coaches coach them.
“It’s definitely a big achievement and, like Mason [Greenwood] has done this year, and Brandon [Williams], hopefully there will be more who come through.”
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Jake Lambourne
KEEP THE FAITH
David De Gea has been “treated unfairly” amid continued speculation over his Manchester United future, says Peter Schmeichel.
He told beIN Sports: “There is an English goalkeeper, young, on loan at Sheffield United, he’s done fantastically well, he’s very, very promising and it’s a great story.
“[But] De Gea’s one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League for the last I don’t know how many years
“One of the things I believe is that the way Ole’s changed the way the team plays hasn’t fitted in with the way that De Gea has played in the last couple of years and so he would have had to make changes to his game.
“And in making changes you’re always making mistakes. If you don’t make mistakes, you don’t really learn.
“They’ve now got third place, they’ve got the Europa League to focus on now, he comes back with a couple of weeks break, comes back to a new season, he’ll be alright.
“I see David de Gea as the goalkeeper for Manchester United for many years to come and I think he has been treated unfairly in all honesty.”
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SMALL CLAIMS
Roma have asked Chris Smalling to play hardball with Manchester United as they try to wrap up his transfer.
The centre-back has been on loan with the Serie A side since last summer and both player and club are said to be keen on making the move permanent.
But with the two clubs yet to agree a fee, Smalling is set to return to Manchester next month meaning he will not be available for Roma’s Europa League fixtures.
However, Roma chiefs have asked Smalling to stay close to Rome and tell United if they make him return to England that he will not move anywhere else, according to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport.
While Smalling is keen to stay in Italy, he is said to have remained coy on whether he will heed Roma’s request.
The 30-year-old has been a revelation in Rome, instantly becoming a popular figure at the Stadio Olimpico, but with United reportedly unwilling to budge on their £18million valuation, a stalemate appears to have been reached.
Roma would prefer to pay around £16m for the 31-cap England international.
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RED RAUL
Man Utd have been heavily linked with Wolves star Raul Jimenez in recent days.
And the Mexican is just one of the big names who could be lining up for the Red Devils next season after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s planned summer overhaul.
United have been told to cough up £60million if they want to prise the 29-year-old away from Molineux.
He has scored an impressive 26 goals from 53 games in all competitions for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side this season.
And if the Red Devils do bring the goalscoring machine to Old Trafford, he could spearhead one of the most intimidating attacking trios in the Premier League alongside Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho – who United have also been linked with.
Here’s how United could line-up next season.
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BACK THREE
Man Utd are targeting Kalidou Koulibaly, Alessio Romagnoli and Tyrone Mings as they plot a defensive overhaul.
United had been targeting Nathan Ake, but since his £41million move to rivals Manchester City, Solskjaer’s centre-back shortlist is down to just three.
The Norwegian is thought to be happy with the likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire.
But Solskjaer wants a solid centre-back to go alongside them – as well as Chelesa target Ben Chilwell at left-back.
For now, Koulibaly – who the club have been chasing since the Jose Mourinho days – is the top target.
However, he is also on the radar of Man City and Liverpool – and could cost close to £80million.
Cheaper alternatives would be AC Milan star Romagnoli, 25, and Tyrone Mings, say ESPN.
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ROY RAGE
Roy Keane launched a foul-mouthed rant at Gerard Pique over his friendship with Cesc Fabregas, according to the former Chelsea man.
Ex-Arsenal star Fabregas has revealed Keane flew off the handle at his own team-mate, Pique, during the 2005 FA Cup final.
In the Wembley clash, Fabregas – then only 18-years-old – threw himself into a hard challenge on Keane, and rather than react to the teenager, the Irish hothead instead lashed out at his close pal, Pique.
Fabregas and Pique have been friends since childhood, working their way through the Barcelona youth ranks together.
And, speaking to the Telegraph, Fabregas recalled: “Gerard Pique, who was at Manchester United then, told me about this afterwards and I never knew about it.
“He told me that me and Roy went into a challenge, which I remember. It was 50/50 and I must have caught him with my knee in his quad. I got him a little bit.
“At half-time, he went to Pique and started shouting at him because he knew we were friends. [There was] a bit of swearing. I can’t say the exact words but it was fun.”
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FANCY ZLAT
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to sign a new double-your-money £104,000-a-week contract at AC Milan, according to reports.
And the new deal could see him playing until he is FORTY.
The Swedish star, 38, returned to the San Siro at the turn of this year on a six-month deal and has already scored 10 goals from 19 games in all competitions cementing his place as a fan favourite at Milan.
And the club’s hierarchy have decided to reward him with a new one-year contract with an option to extend for a further year, according to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport.
His salary could reach double what he is earning now – seeing him pull in £104k-a-week if certain appearance and performance related targets are met.
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GABSMACKED
Man Utd are reportedly one of three clubs that have made a £27million offer for Lille star Gabriel Magalhaes.
French outlet La Voix du Nord claim that the Red Devils, Everton and Napoli have all made proposals to land the Brazilian defender.
The report adds that Lille have already lined up £7m-rated Ajax defender Sven Botman as his replacement.
Gabriel now has the power to choose which of the three clubs he wishes to join but his preference is to join Napoli.
Arsenal and Chelsea have also been linked with the centre-back in recent months.
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NINE GIGG
Former Man Utd target Gareth Bale has reportedly told Wales boss Ryan Giggs that he intends to stay at Real Madrid next season.
The Mirror claims the 31-year-old has told international team-mates and staff he has no plans to quit Los Blancos even if his lack of games leaves him rusty for the Euros.
Bale continues to have a frosty relationship with Real boss Zinedine Zidane who tried to force him out of the club last summer.
He did not play a single minute of the club’s final seven games as they won LaLiga for a record 34th time.
And the four-time Champions League winner is unlikely to be involved in Madrid’s European second-leg against Manchester City.
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PAY PAL
Memphis Depay is “holding the key” to Jadon Sancho’s big-money move to Manchester United, according to reports.
The Dutchman is wanted by Borussia Dortmund to replace the England winger who is in talks to sign for the Red Devils in a deal believed to be around £108million.
Depay, 26, endured a nightmare stint at United when he signed in 2015 before leaving two years later.
But he could play his most important assist yet if he agrees to join the German side from Lyon.
AS write how Dortmund are ready to pay £41m for his signature – which would mean a £19m profit for the French side.
The winger has reignited his career for Lyon and despite an injury-riddled campaign, has scored nine goals in 12 league starts.
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MADD DESIGNS
United have been dealt a bitter blow in their pursuit of James Maddison after the Leicester ace built a rooftop bar at his luxury pad.
The one-cap England star, 23 has been on the radar of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer all season, along with the likes of Jack Grealish and Jadon Sancho.
But having recently put pen to paper on a new five-year contract at the King Power Stadium, Maddison appears dead-set to stick around in Leicester.
And he’s taken his commitment to the Foxes to another level – by installing a rooftop bar at his Midlands home.
Maddison shared the incredible pictures of the work in progress to his Instagram.
The snaps show mini-fridges to keep drinks cool, a grill, a bar – complete with stools – and a relaxing seating area covered by stylish wooden beams.
A clearly-thrilled Maddison captioned his post: “Got the team at Leicestershire Garden Design working on this at the moment.
“Can’t wait to see it.”
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ACADEMY AWARDS
Man Utd striker Marcus Rashford has scooped the 2019/20 Academy Graduate award.
Trent Alexander-Arnold won the inaugaral award last year, but the honour has went to Rashford this term following his goalscoring exploits for the Red Devils.
The Academy Graduate award has been created to recognise players aged 23 or under who have made the successful transition from the Academy to the Premier League.
Commenting on the honour, Rashford said: “Thank you very much, on behalf of the Academy.
“It’s obviously a massive step up to get into the Manchester United first team but one that all the young kids are prepared to make because of the way the coaches coach them.
“It’s definitely a big achievement and, like Mason [Greenwood] has done this year, and Brandon [Williams], hopefully there will be more who come through.”
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RIO’S REVEAL
Rio Ferdinand has confessed his England shirt always felt ‘heavier,’ than his Manchester United shirt.
Ferdinand, the youngest ever defender to play for England when he made his international debut against Cameroon, aged 19 years and eight days in 1997, said: “As a captain, as an England player, the shirt was a heavy shirt when I played for England.
“More so than Man United, for different reasons. The expectation. The years of disappointment which had gone before us.
“And our year was called the Golden Generation which heaped a bit more pressure on us at the time.
“The big difference between wearing an England shirt and a Man United shirt is that I felt very comfortable and confident at Man United that we were on the right lines, the tight pathway to success.
“Whereas with England I didn’t necessarily believe in it. When I look back now – at the time I thought I did – but I look back now with hindsight and just think that I didn’t believe in the tactics.
“With that comes doubt and when doubt creeps into any sportsman’s mind, you know you are on a losing run then.”
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RAU-TE ONE
Wolves have reportedly set a price of £60million for Manchester United to sign Raul Jimenez.
The Mexican forward has been one of the stars of the Premier League since arriving on loan from Benfica in 2018, a move made permanent for £30m last summer.
With 26 goals and 10 assists in all competitions last season, Jimenez is rumoured to be a target for several of the continent’s giants.
According to Bleacher Report, Wolves will want between £60m and £70m if the 29-year-old wants to leave.
However the Molineux side are believed to be incredibly reluctant to sell their star forward, even though they are on the brink of signing a potential replacement.
Braga forward Paulinho is strongly linked with a £27m from the Primeira Liga side in the coming weeks.
Reports in Portugal suggest United are intent on sealing a deal for Jimenez.
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