Man Utd transfer news: Schweinsteiger in Deadline Day stand-off

Man Utd transfer news: No move from Real Madrid for De Gea

06 June

Time is running out for Real Madrid if they wish to bag goalkeeper David de Gea for next season. According to The Sun, which gets its information from Spanish rag AS, the United gloveman "can leave if Real stump up €50m before 15 June".

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But apparently there has been no contact between the two clubs nor between Real and agent Jorge Mendes, who looks after De Gea's affairs. In addition, says the Sun, the appointment of Jose Mourinho as United's new manager has convinced the Spanish goalkeeper to stay at Old Trafford. It's alleged that De Gea and former boss Louis van Gaal "barely spoke" last season, but things are sure to be different under Mourinho. On hearing of the appointment of the Special One, De Gea said: “Talk about Jose Mourinho and you're talking about a winner. Winning is United's, Jose's and my philosophy. We can make a great team and I welcome him."

Still with matters Spanish, website Caughtoffside claims that United "are closing in on a deal" to sign Villarreal defender Eric Bailly. Spanish media reports that the Red Devils have already agreed in principle a fee with Villarreal, which will see them hand over £25m in return or the Ivory Coast blocker. If the deal goes through it will be quite a coup for United given that Barcelona, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain have all expressed an interest in Bailly.

Over in Italy, meanwhile, the Daily Express says United and Tottenham are going head to head for the services of Palermo midfielder Franco Vazquez. The club president, Maurizio Zamparini, confirmed at the weekend that “there's a market" for Vazquez, adding: "We're dealing with some international clubs. I'll sell him abroad." Jose Mourinho apparently wants to bring the midfielder to Manchester United but Tottenham are equally determined to sign the 27-year-old.

Man Utd transfer news: Mourinho triggers £60m bid for Paul Pogba

3 June

Manchester United have made a "British transfer record bid of £60m" for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, claims The Sun.

In a "world exclusive" the paper reports that Jose Mourinho had barely got his feet under the Old Trafford desk before sanctioning the eye-watering offer this week. The Special One is determined to beat Barcelona to the 23-year-old Frenchman's signature, and the United board are fully behind him as he tries to bring Pogba back to the club he left in 2012.

Since quitting Manchester Pogba has flourished at Juventus and the Sun says that Mourinho regards the playmaker as "the first brick in his planned United rebuild".

The paper reveals that United's offer is "worth an initial £48m fee plus £12m more in add-on payments", and that when everything is added up it just tops the £59.7m they forked out for Angel di Maria in 2014. As to United's chances of landing Pogba, much will depend on the influence of his agent Mino Raiola, although Mourinho's reputation has increased the chances of Pogba agreeing to return to Old Trafford, where he struggled to make an impression under Alex Ferguson.

According to the Sun United are "hopeful of reaching an agreement with player and club" by the end of the month.

Man Utd transfer news: Blind and Memphis want to stay

01 June

Just 24 hours after rumours emerged suggesting Jose Mourinho was planning to jettison Daley Blind, the Dutch defender has issued a statement declaring his enthusiasm for the incoming Manchester United manager.

It seems that Blind, who was signed by Louis van Gaal from Ajax in 2014, is determined to prove a point to the Special One in the coming months, reports Metro. "I am looking forward to working with Mourinho," said the 26-year-old. "I will just give my all and work hard. Mourinho is a manager who has achieved a lot and I am keen to work with him."

Asked if he feared for his future once the Portuguese takes official charge of the Red Devils, Blind said: "We will have to wait and see whether anything changes for me... I might not be as big as Pepe, but I think I have shown in the Premier League that I can hold my own defensively."

Despite Blind's comments, however, The Sun says that he "is a £14m transfer target for Barcelona" with coach Luis Enrique attracted by the Dutchman's versatility in being able to play in the midfield or at the back.

And Blind is not the only Dutchman hoping to impress Mourinho as £25m flop Memphis Depay has also pledged to impress his new boss this summer, reports the Daily Mail.

"The season did not go as planned and that hurt my confidence a bit," admitted the winger. "The old Memphis, who beat every opponent, will soon be back again."

Another player linked with a move away from Old Trafford is Juan Mata with the Daily Telegraph claiming the Spanish playmaker has also attracted "tentative interest from Barcelona".

Mata, who arrived at United from Chelsea for £37.1m in January 2014, has yet to sit down with Mourinho to discuss his future but the Telegraph says the veteran "will let United make the first move".

He was deemed surplus to Mourinho's requirements during his time at Chelsea, despite having been player of the season a year earlier, so his future at Old Trafford under the Special One looks bleak.

Man Utd transfer news: Rashford signs but Memphis faces exit

31 May

What a few days for Manchester United's 18-year-old striker Marcus Rashford. On Friday he scored on his England debut in the 2-1 win over Australia and on Monday he signed a new deal which will keep him at Old Trafford until June 2020.

According to BBC Sport, Rashford's new contract "is thought to be worth £20,000 a week", a comparatively modest sum by Premier League standards and surprisingly low considering the impact the teenager has had on the English game since scoring twice on his senior United debut against Midtjylland in February in the Europa League.

Rashford finished the season with eight goals in 18 games and Rashford said of his deal: "I am grateful for having the chance to prove myself. To be able to play football at the biggest club in the world means everything to me and my family."

And another of United's young guns, 19-year-old defender Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, has also penned a new contract that will keep him at the club until 2020 with BBC Sport reporting that there is an option on both deals to extend them by a further year.

Meanwhile The Sun reports that United "have lodged a £10m bid" for West Ham youngster Reece Oxford. The 17-year-old defender recently knocked back a £12,000-a-week offer from the Hammers and it's believed that Mourinho has identified the teenager as a future star. The Sun says that United have prepared an offer that "would see the Hammers get a potential £15m after performance-related clauses are met."

Over at the Daily Star there are claims that Mourinho is "plotting an Old Trafford overhaul" with the Special One ready to offload Daley Blind and Memphis Depay. The paper says that the duo are the most likely to be axed as the new United boss prepares to bring in a raft of new players. And one of those players, says the Daily Mirror, is John Stones, the Everton defender who Mourinho tried to lure to Stamford Bridge last summer. Though he failed then, Mourinho is determined to land Stones this time around in the face of strong competition from Manchester City and Barcelona.

Man Utd transfer news: Mourinho in talks with Eden Hazard

27 May

So Jose Mourinho is Manchester United's new manager and as the club prepares to release an official announcement to that effect, rumours suggest the Special One could be planning a reunion with one of his former charges at Chelsea.

According to the Daily Express Eden Hazard has "been in talks with Mourinho over joining United". The Belgian thrived under the Portuguese in the season before last, winning the player of the season award as well as the Premier League title, but he lost his way this season and speculation has been growing in recent months that Hazard will leave Stamford Bridge in the summer.

Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid have been linked with the playmaker but the Express Sport understands that Mourino will be handed a £200m transfer kitty and he's already "been in touch with Hazard over a reunion at Old Trafford". Chelsea would be bitterly opposed to any such deal, adds the paper, but they may be willing to sell if United table an offer between £65m and £75m.

The arrival of Zlatan Ibtahimovic at Old Trafford appears an invetivability after his latest comments about Mourinho, with the stringy Swede declaring that he misses being coached by the Special One "every day".

However, the deal is not yet done and Ibrahimovic will demand a salary of £220,000 a week to come to Old Trafford, says The Guardian. It adds that reports that a deal has already been agreed "are not correct as both manager and player need more time to consider their options".

Man Utd transfer news: Willian link, but Ronaldo says 'no'

26 May

The haggling over the finer points of Jose Mourinho's contract at Manchester United hasn't slowed down the rumour mill, which is still working overtime linking players with moves to Old Trafford.

The latest to be talked up as a Man Utd target is Chelsea midfielder Willian with The Sun reporting that the 27-year-old is being eyed up by Mourinho. It was Mourinho who signed the Brazilian from Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala three years ago for £30m but the Sun predicts that he is worth more than twice that fee after establishing himself as a force at Stamford Bridge.

Currently in Los Angeles on Copa America duty with Brazil, Willian was asked his thoughts about Mourinho taking over at United: "Jose is one of the most successful coaches in the world and Manchester United will be stronger with him as manager," he replied.

As for the rumours linking him with a reunion, the playmaker said: "I don't think about that. I'm here on Copa America duty with Brazil and I'm not here to do interviews about other things."

But one player Mourinho will not be able to lure to Old Trafford is Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese star has, in the words of Metro, "broken the hearts of all Manchester United fans" with the declaration that he intends to see out his days at Real Madrid.

Ronaldo's Real contract expires in 2018 and there have been persistent rumours that he would return to Old Trafford for a final hurrah this year, but in conversation with Spanish TV show Jugones, Ronaldo said: "It's obvious I want to stay I here. I think I am going to retire at Real Madrid."

But red Devils fans should not be downhearted, as the Sun declares that United "have been handed a massive boost in their pursuit" of 25-year-old sharpshooter Antoine Griezmann.

It was said last week that the Atletico Madrid marksman was ready to commit to the Champions League finalists with a five-year deal, but those reports now appear a tad premature.

The Sun reports that Griezmann's agent, Eric Olhats, has pooh-poohed the stories in an interview with French sports daily L'Equipe. "Contrary to certain claims announcing that Antoine at Atletico next season will be the case without fail, nothing has been decided or endorsed," explained Olhats. "We are currently listening to different clubs who also offer real interest and attraction."

However, the Daily Mirror says that Mourinho has a different target at Atletico - Saul Niguez. The paper claims that the incoming United boss could be set to call in a favour from super agent Jorge Mendes, one which will bag him the 21-year-old Spaniard.

Though his has five years to run on his existing deal, the midfielder's image rights are, for some reason, in the hands of Quality Football Ireland, which is part-owned by Mendes, also Mourinho's agent. As a result, says the Mirror, Mourinho will have a word with Mendes and hope he can facilitate the £54m transfer of Niguez to Old Trafford.