Man Utd transfer window 2015: from Memphis to Martial

Man Utd transfer news: is Ibrahimovic LVG's 'surprise'?

21 July

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has left the press pack salivating during his side's tour of north America by promising a "surprise" new addition to the squad before the end of the transfer window, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic now being tipped for a shock move to Old Trafford.

Van Gaal told a journalists in California that a new arrival was imminent and would shock them. "He's in the process," he said. "It is not a striker that the media has written, but you have to wait and see."

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Unsurprisingly, Van Gaal's insistence that the press do not know the identity of the striker has only fuelled media speculation over who it could be. United have already been tipped to sign most of Europe's main strikers this summer there is widespread consternation about the identity of the new man.

"United have been linked with moves for Pedro, the Barcelona forward, and Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski, both of Bayern Munich, while talk has resurfaced in recent days of a renewed attempt to sign Gareth Bale, the Real Madrid forward," notes The Times. Others who can apparently be ruled out include Edinson Cavani, Karim Benzema, Gonzalo Higuain and Harry Kane, as all have been mooted as potential purchases this summer.

But given the opportunity to play a spot of fantasy football, the most popular name on the list of hitherto unexpected signings is Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Betfair reacted to the comments by slashing the odds on United signing the Swedish striker from 20/1 to 5/1, reports the Daily Star, while 40 per cent of people who took part in a Daily Mail poll voted for 33-year-old Ibrahimovic, who is currently on the books of Paris Saint-Germain.

"Ibra seems to view his career as a kind of incredibly glamorous inter-railing trip: he's already ticked off Amsterdam, Turin, Barcelona, Milan and Paris," says the Daily Telegraph, before sounding a note of caution. "So Manchester could simply be the next stop-off. We'd all love it to happen, of course, which is probably why it never will."

The same paper hints that Muller could indeed be the player in question, despite the fact that the media have already written about a potential move.

"Reports in Germany have claimed that United are preparing to table a big-money move for the forward," says the paper, which suggests that the fee could be as much as €100m.

Man Utd transfer news: Cavani and Ramos next up for United

20 July

Edinson Cavani's agent has confirmed that his client has received offers to leave Paris Saint-Germain, prompting speculation that Man United are closing in on the striker, although his representative, Walter Guglielmone, was coy as to which club exactly has been sounding out the Uruguayan ace.

United have long been linked with Cavani, who has allegedly been unsettled in the French capital for much of this year and there are growing rumours of a swap deal involving Angel di Maria. Metro declares that United are the "front runners" for Cavani's signature and when the question was put to Guglielmone he replied: "This summer, Edi has received interest from big clubs who are looking for a centre forward."

Whether Cavani will end up leaving the Parc Des Princes remains unclear but Guglielmone appeared to send the ball into PSG's court by declaring that the South American could "only be happy at PSG if Zlatan Ibrahimovic lets him become the main forward".

Meanwhile, Talksport boasts an exclusive with its claim that Sergio Ramos "wants to move to Manchester United". It appeared that the deal was dying a slow death last week after goalkeeper David de Gea accepted he would stay at Old Trafford for a further season, and not move to Madrid, as initially predicted, in exchange for Ramos.

But Talksport says that "both players involved in the saga are still keen for their respective moves to materialise". United are working hard apparently to identify a replacement gloveman for De Gea, and once they have signed a new keeper they will play swapsies with Real.

Man Utd transfer news: Cavani swap off as PSG chase Di Maria

17 July

Angel di Maria is inching closer to a move to Paris Saint-Germain, but Manchester United will not get their hands on striker Edinson Cavani in return.

Both clubs are in the US on pre-season tours and the French side is expected to open the bidding for Di Maria at £40m before they play each other in Chicago on July 30, says the Daily Telegraph.

United forked out £60m for the Argentine winger last summer but he has struggled at Old Trafford and is no longer "an important part of [Louis] Van Gaal’s plans as he overhauls his team," according to the paper, who says the player "has found it difficult" to work with the manager.

United are prepared to sell and are determined to recoup as much of their outlay as possible and could be interested in a swap deal involving Cavani. "United need to sign a striker having sold Robin Van Persie and not having taken up the option to sign Radamel Falcao on a permanent deal", explains the paper.

"However, PSG regard Cavani as one of their main assets and, indeed, the Uruguayan is seen as the future of the club ahead of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is now 33 and has one year left on his contract."

Wayne Rooney has admitted he will consider a move to Major League Soccer once he calls time on his Manchester United career.

The England captain, currently Stateside with the Red Devils on their pre-season tour, has four years left on his contract at Old Trafford but he's already looking into the future. In comments carried by, among others, Talksport, the 29-year-old Rooney was asked if he would consider treading the path taken by David Beckham, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard in recent seasons. "I'm obviously concentrating on Manchester United," replied Rooney when asked by the Seattle Times. "When that time comes, that'll be something I'd think about. (I'll) sit down with my wife and children and decide if it would be right for me."

United play the first of four tour matches against Club America in Seattle today, an itinerary that includes clashes with Barcelona and PSG in Chicago, and Rooney says he's been surprised by the level of support for the game in the US.

Meanwhile the Daily Star claims that United "have not contacted Christian Benteke's agent about a move to Old Trafford". The Aston Villa striker has been linked with a move away from Villa Park this summer with United one of his alleged destinations but the Star says Liverpool "are the only team chasing" Benteke with BBC Sport claiming the Reds are ready to meet his asking price.

Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws dismisses reports that United intend to trigger the Villa sharpshooter's £32.5m release clause and apparently manager Louis van Gaal doesn't see the Belgian as the man to replace Van Persie after his move earlier in the week to Fenerbahce.

And another United player looking likely to leave Old Trafford is Jonny Evans with the Irish Independent reporting that the Northern Ireland centre-half is close to sealing a move with Everton, who are "preparing to pay £6m" for the 27-year-old.

Man Utd transfer news: Valdes 'sacked' at press conference

16 July

Manchester United's goalkeeping saga has taken a major twist with BBC Sport reporting that Victor Valdes will be sold after it emerged he "refused to play" in the reserves.

United are currently on tour in the USA but when manager Louis van Gaal was asked in a Seattle press conference about the absence of the 33-year-old Spain international, the Dutchman gave an unexpectedly frank answer and, as the Daily Express puts it, "effectively sacked" the keeper in front of the world's media.

"Last year, he refused to play in the second team and there are other aspects you need as a keeper at United. When you are not willing to follow those principles, there is only one way and that is out."

Valdes, who won six Spanish titles with Barcelona, joined United last season as back-up to number one gloveman David De Gea. But the veteran's only start came against Hull on the final day of the season and it's clear that will be his lot in United colours: "He doesn't follow my philosophy," said Van Gaal. "There is no place for someone like that."

And asked about De Gea's rumoured desire to join Real Madrid, Van Gaal told reporters: "I cannot say anything. His attitude is fantastic. It is stupid to ask."

It is now imperative for United to keep hold of De Gea, particularly as one the leading candidates to take over at Old Trafford were he to be sold, Hugo Lloris of Spurs, will miss the start of the season after fracturing his wrist. The Independent reports that the injury has "scuppered" his chances of a move to Old Trafford.

Meanwhile on the subject of another allegedly unsettled player, Angel di Maria, and increasing rumours he might be the subject of an approach from French champions Paris Saint-Germain, van Gaal declared: "We shall see. In football it is a process for Angel di Maria. Now he is still a member of Manchester United."

Man Utd transfer news: Van Persie out, Di Maria to follow

15 July

Robin van Persie was officially unveiled as a Fenerbahce player on Tuesday night and according to BBC Sport, the 31-year-old Dutch striker made the move from Manchester United with no hard feelings.

"It's part of football, it's part of life. It was a situation where I could see it coming, if I'm really honest," said Van Persie, referring to his departure from Old Trafford after three years.

The Daily Mirror has a different take on events, however, reporting that Van Persie, who joins the Turkish side for an alleged £4.7m fee, "delivered a massive snub to Louis van Gaal" as he announced his move. The striker scored 26 goals in his first season with United but injury disrupted his final two years and last season van Gaal showed little faith in his compatriot.

In front of 18,000 Fenerbahce fans, van Persie declared through a translator: "I had a really good moment with the players just before I left. Everyone in the squad showed me that they had appreciated my time at United."

Van Persie then added: "Let me please add one more person to thank. I highly appreciate the work of [executive vice-chairman] Ed Woodward in this transfer. He was the man who was very classy in all this. A true gentleman."

But there was no mention of Van Gaal, conformation for the Mirror of the "total breakdown" of the pair’s relationship during the last 12 months.

Meanwhile rumours that Angel di Maria is set for an Old Trafford exit are gathering pace, reports the Daily Telegraph. It quotes French paper Le Parisien, which claims the Argentina winger has "given his word" to Paris Saint-Germain that he will join the club this summer.

"Talks between the two clubs are progressing well with a £42.8 million fee, plus plenty of add-ons and £200,000-a-week wages, likely to be agreed," it adds.