Man Utd transfer window verdict: the end for Louis van Gaal?

Man Utd transfer news: Bayern issue warning over £70m Muller

25 September

Forget about signing Thomas Muller. That's the message to Manchester United from Bayern Munich chief Karl-Heinze Rummenigge, according to the Daily Mirror.

The Old Trafford club have made no secret of their desire to bring the German striker to Manchester but his eight goals in eight games for Bayern this season have underlined his importance to the German champions. And that's prompted Rummenigge to tell German newspaper Bild: "Muller will stay at Bayern, regardless of what any club offers. There is no amount that would make us consider an offer."

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The Mirror states that United have been lining up a whopping £70m bid for the 26-year-old sharpshooter, but Rummenigge has announced that they are wasting their time. "He is extremely valuable to us," he explained. "There might be players out there who have a better technique and who are faster, but there is no second Thomas Muller in this world."

With Luke Shaw sidelined for at least six months with a double leg fracture, Louis van Gaal is on the lookout for a full-back and according to Talksport that man may be Valencia's Jose Luis Gaya. Spanish media claim that United are "weighing up a move for Gaya" during the January transfer window although they might face competition from Chelsea and Real Madrid.

Both clubs have apparently scouted the 20-year-old defender in recent months after Gaya's composed displays for Valencia. Talksport report that United are quietly confident that they will "pip everyone to the Spaniard's signature" provided they agree to meet his £36m release-clause.

Man Utd transfer news: Rojo no go for Napoli after Shaw injury

23 September

Napoli? No chance. That's the message from the agent of Marcos Rojo, who dismissed suggestions that the Argentine defender was angling for a move to Italy in the new year.

Rojo has struggled to hold down a place in United's starting line-up in the opening weeks of the season, notes Talksport, but that the horrific double leg break sustained by Luke Shaw last week could provide the South American with a chance to impress Louis van Gaal.

Consequently when agent Carlos Goncalves was asked by a Naples radio station if the city should prepare a January welcome for Rojo, he replied testily: "There is no need to talk about it. The player is happy at United and has no intention of leaving the club."

Man Utd transfer news: will Ronaldo return this summer?

Once again Man United's prodigal son is being linked with a return to Old Trafford as the Daily Mirror claims the club "are on red alert" following reports that Cristiano Ronaldo is poised to leave Real Madrid next summer.

Mind you, there were similar rumours last week so presumably Old Trafford must be in a continued state of arousal for the Portuguese ace, who quit the club in 2009 to seek his fortune in Spain.

The Mirror claims that United are "desperate" to bring Ronaldo back to Old Trafford but will face stiff competition from Paris Saint-Germain.

The paper also says that Real "would want a new world record fee of £90m" for the ageing Ronaldo, which is £10m more than they paid United for a player who was in his prime six years ago. The goal machine turns 31 in February and it's believed both United and PSG regard £70m as a more "realistic" figure given his age. Others may wonder whether that represents good value for a player with only a few seasons left in his legs.

But football is a business these days and the Mirror adds that United have indicated that they "would be willing" to meet Ronaldo's £15m-a-year wage demands because they are confident they could recoup the astronomical figure in commercial revenue.

Man Utd transfer news: Ronaldo on the market, Neymar deal off

18 September

The future of Cristiano Ronaldo is back on the agenda, and three clubs are jockeying for position in a bid to sign the ageing Real Madrid superstar.

According to French website Le10, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and an unnamed Major League Soccer franchise "will battle" to land the 30-year-old Portugal ace at the end of the season.

It seems that Ronaldo is becoming increasingly frustrated at the Bernabeu and feels he needs a new start while he still has a few years of quality left in his shooting boots. Le10 Sports quotes the reputable French broadcaster RMC, which claims sources in Spain have lifted the lid on irreconcilable differences between Ronaldo and Real president Florentino Perez.

As a result of this fall-out Man Utd, PSG and the MLS side "have a very big chance" of signing Europe's top marksman next summer.

Meanwhile United's hopes of landing Neymar appear to be over with the Daily Star reporting that the Red Devils' "target" is poised to extend his contract with Barcelona. According to the paper, the Brazil striker has been linked with with a big money move to Old Trafford with United allegedly "willing to meet" his £158m release clause. But now comes news from Spain that the 23-year-old has decided to remain where he is.

In conversation with broadcaster, TV3, Barca's technical director, Roberto Fernandez, disclosed that contract negotiations between Neymar and the European champions are "on track". Fernandez added that Neymar and Brazilian teammate Rafinha are "very important players who will be at Barcelona for many years."

Man Utd transfer news: race is on to sign teen sensation Ennis

16 September

You may not have heard of Niall Ennis, but the Wolves academy player is being tipped for great things and could be about to follow in the footsteps of Anthonay Martial as the latest teenage sensation to join Manchester United.

The buzz surrounding the 16-year-old has intensified with the Daily Star reporting that United have joined Chelsea and Manchester City in pursuing the Wolves forward, who the paper describes as a "prodigy".

At least the description makes a change from the usual "wonderkid" tag, and by all accounts the 16-year-old Ennis is something special. City and Chelsea have both been monitoring the progress of the teenage striker but the Star says their plans "have been disrupted by the presence of United".

It's reported that the Red Devils will offer Wolves the somewhat piffling sum of £1m fee for Ennis in the belief that the lure of Old Trafford will have the desired effect. But the England Under-17 star could also be tempted by Chelsea or the Sky Blues if they offer him an attractive package.

Man Utd transfer news: De Gea deal has £30m buy-out clause

14 September

David De Gea's new four-year contract at Manchester United contains a £30m buy-out clause, claims The Sun in a world exclusive.

The 24-year-old goalkeeper executed a stunning volte face at the weekend and agreed a new deal at Old Trafford, days after his dream move to Real Madrid fell through.

Apparently he had the change of heart because he realised if he spent this season twiddling his thumbs on the sidelines he'd be unlikely to feature for Spain in next summer's European Championship. Consequently, claims the Sun, he decided to put an end, for the time being, to his dream of playing for Real Madrid.

"The contract negotiations were all De Gea's idea," reports the Sun. "Manchester United did not initiate the talks on the new deal. Neither was it at the insistence of his agent Jorge Mendes."

The new contract will net him £200,000-a-week and ties the Spanish shotstopper at Old Trafford until 2019 - unless Real come calling in June. If they do, and if they are willing to meet the buy-out clause in full, then De Gea gets his wish of playing for Real and United will get their asking price.

Man Utd transfer news: De Gea reverses into new contract talks

11 September

Might David De Gea remain at Old Trafford? The Daily Mirror thinks so with the paper reporting sources in Spain claiming that the gloveman "wants to sign a contract extension" that will keep him at United.

The 24-year-old gloveman was widely expected to return to his native Spain in the summer, but a deadline-day deal with Real Madrid fell through, allegedly because United failed to complete the paperwork in time.

The Mirror says this "led to bitter recriminations and accusations" with Real president Florentino Perez allegedly incandescent with rage. Reports suggest that he took out his anger on super agent Jorge Mendes, whose task it was to broker the deal.

Now it appears that De Gea might be poised to perform a spectacular U-turn, with Spanish paper El Confidencial reporting that the goalkeeper is ready "to sign a new deal that will see his current £35,000-a-week salary rocket".

The BBC adds that Mendes "attended" the club's training complex on Thursday and talks are believed to be underway.

Man Utd transfer news: Rooney contemplates MLS move

10 September

Less than 48 hours after surpassing Bobby Charlton's record of 50 England goals, Wayne Rooney is the subject of transfer speculation with rumours linking the United striker to the MLS. But the Manchester Evening News reports that MLS commissioner Don Garber appreciates he may have to wait a while before luring Rooney across the pond. According to the MEN Garber will "not consider enticing" Rooney until his United contract expires in 2019, that is if England's record scorer hasn't decided himself to head Stateside.

If Adnan Januzaj does decide to leave Old Trafford any time soon it will be to Borussia Dortmund. According to the Daily Star Manchester United have given the German outfit "the first option to buy" the winger. The Belgian star is currently enjoying a season-long loan with the Bundesliga giants and he marked his debut with a goal in the 2-1 win over St Pauli. The Star, reporting comments in German publication Sport Bild, says that if Januzaj continues to thrive at Dortmund the club "will be offered the chance" to make the move permanent at the end of the season, although any deal will be dependent on United finding a suitable replacement to bring to Old Trafford.

Man Utd transfer news: Gareth Bale rumours 'stupid'

9 September

Despite continuing rumours that Louis van Gaal is planning an audacious bid for Gareth Bale next year, the Welshman's agent has rubbished suggestions he could ever move to Old Trafford.

The world's most expensive footballer, who in recent days has been trying to get Wales into next year's European Championships, is known to be on United's shopping list, but Talksport says that agent Jonathan Barnett has issued a stark message to the Red Devils.

"It was stupid paper talk both in and out of the transfer window," Barnett is reported as saying. "He is very happy at Real Madrid and hopefully he'll spend the rest of his career there. He's loving it there."

Meanwhile The Sun reports that Real Madrid "whizkid" Martin Odegaard has pooh-poohed the idea of joining United on loan. The 16-year-old widely regarded as the outstanding talent of his generation, has been linked to United, Manchester City and Liverpool in recent months but asked about the possibility of honing his trade in England, Odegaard replied: "Maybe a loan deal is something that will happen in the future...but right now I am very happy where I am with my club and comfortable with the situation at Real Madrid."

Man Utd transfer news: Ander Herrera 'could go in January'

08 September

Manchester United's shaky start to the season doesn't look set to improve with reports that two Spanish clubs are set to throw spanners in the Old Trafford works.

First come the news from the Daily Star to the effect that Valencia are "considering making a move" for midfielder Ander Herrera. Taking its cue from Spanish publication Fichajes, the Star says that Valencia attempted to sign the midfield magician on Deadline Day.

That brazen bid ended in failure, but apparently the La Liga outfit will come again in January. However, it's not known whether Luis van Gaal would be willing to allow the 26-year-old Herrera to leave despite the fact he's struggled to settle since arriving in England.

Meanwhile Caughtoffside reports that Real Madrid intend to beat United to the hand of Borussia Dortmund forward Marco Reus.

The website says the Spanish giants are "favourites for his signature", which will come as a crushing blow to United, who have long coveted the German international.

Apparently Real are resigned to losing both Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo next season, and have consequently already begun thinking about how to fill the considerable gaps. But United could yet win the race to Reus if they are prepared to give Dortmund the money they ask for, plus Adnan Januzaj.

Man Utd transfer news: De Gea 'will be forced to stay'

07 September

David De Gea can think again if he seriously believes he'll be joining Real Madrid in January. That's the bullish claim in the Daily Star, which says that the United gloveman will be forced to stay at Old Trafford until his contract expires in June.

Why? Because "United chiefs have made the executive decision to make the Spaniard see out the rest of his contract".

De Gea failed to force through a deadline day deal to Madrid and consequently the 24-year-old must sit tight at United until next summer, when he can leave as a free agent. But in the meantime the Star says that United remain cautiously optimistic they will persuade De gea to "pen a contract extension".

hat would seem unlikely given his alleged rift with manager Louis van Gaal, with sources in Spain reporting at the weekend that De Gea will definitely be moving to the Bernabeu at the end of this season.

Meanwhile the Daily Mail continues to flog a dead horse, claiming that van Gaal "still wants Gareth Bale or Cristiano Ronaldo". Of course he does, but what are the chances of a struggling Premier League outfit signing two of the game's superstars?

Nevertheless, the Mail says that United "will be at the front of the queue if either gives any indication that they would be interested in leaving the Bernabeu".

Man Utd transfer news: Real Madrid 'no longer want De Gea'

4 September

After the chaos of the final hours of the transfer window a relative calm has returned to the football world, and at Manchester United efforts are apparently underway to persuade David de Gea to commit his future to the club.

The Spanish goalkeeper had hoped to move to Real Madrid on transfer deadline day, but the £29m deal collapsed when the Spanish club failed to complete the paperwork in time.

Now the 24-year-old, who was dropped by United for the first four games of the season, must decide his next move after being warned by Spain boss Vincente del Bosque that he will not be able to represent his country at Euro 2016 if he is not playing regular club football.

And according to Metro the keeper is now ready to commit to United. The paper's website picks up on reports in Spain that claim that Real are no longer interested in the player and that he will "sign a new contract to stay at Old Trafford" because there is no chance of a move to Madrid next summer.

The Daily Mirror is slightly more measured, explaining that "De Gea has ten months left on his United deal and the club's offer of a
 new £200,000-a-week agreement remains on the table.

"However United do not expect De Gea to have a change of heart and
pledge his future to Old Trafford when he is so keen to return to his
 native Madrid."

However, relations between United and Real have reached a low point after the Spanish club's president, Florentino Perez, accused the Old Trafford hierarchy of naivety over the failed transfer.

"Perez painted the picture of United as a calamitous club unable to push through a transfer and one also trying to unsettle Real Madrid by going after four of their players, including Gareth Bale, although he denied Madrid ever received a €100million (£73m) offer for the Welsh international," reports the Daily Mail.