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

Man Utd transfer news: Mourinho wants Benzema and Ibrahimovic

25 May

He's not even been officially unveiled as Manchester's United new manager but already speculation is rife as to who Jose Mourinho will bring in as he looks to put the Louis van Gaal era firmly in the past.

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And there are rumours concerning all aspects of the United team as Mourinho thrashes out a deal that should see him take over this week or next.

Starting up front, Metro kicks off the rumour mill by suggesting Mourinho "wants to bring Karim Benzema" in to partner Zlatan Ibrahimovic in attack. Zlatan was one of the first names linked to United and now Metro says Mourinho is also a "huge fan" of the controversial French striker currently with Real Madrid.

In midfield, and Talksport reports that former Chelsea midfielder Lassana Diarra is being mooted as a Mourinho target, particularly after the 31-year-old declared himself a free agent. Speaking to French sports daily L'Equipe, Diarra made it clear he no longer sees himself as a Marseille player, declaring: "I am now a free agent as there's a clause in my contract that allows me to leave if the team did not qualify for European football. I hope Marseille will stick to their word."

Asked about the rumours linking him to a reunion with Mourinho, who he knows from their time at Chelsea, the playmaker replied: "I know him well. I have enjoyed some great times with him. He is a coach I really like. But we will see what happens next season."

Mourinho will also have to strengthen United's rearguard and the Daily Mail reports that United will "scrap with rivals Manchester City to sign John Stones". The paper claims that the Sky Blues "may try to steal a march on their neighbours" by making a bid for Stones as early as next week, while Mourinho is still finding his feet at the club.

The Portuguese tried several tries to sign Stones last summer while in charge at Chelsea and his admiration for the England defender hasn't dimmed in the interim.

Finally, the Daily Mirror claims that United gloveman David de Gea will be "happy to stay" at Old Trafford now that Van Gaal is no more. It was reported earlier in the month that the Spanish shotstopper intended to leave if the Dutchman wasn't given the boot, but with his wish granted De Gea is ready to remain where he is. The 25-year-old has three years left on his United contract and "is now looking forward to next season", particularly at the prospect of Mourinho becoming manager as the pair share the same agent in Jorge Mendes.

Man Utd transfer news: Ibrahimovic and James Rodriguez on the way

24 May

As Jose Mourinho prepares to ease himself into the Old Trafford hotseat, the Special One has reportedly set his sights on making one his first signings a player whose ego is nearly as big as his own.

According to the Daily Mirror Zlatan Ibrahimovic "is set to become the first signing of the Jose Mourinho era" at United with the stringy Swedish sharpshooter ready to pen a one-year deal after leaving Paris Saint Germain.

The 34-year-old allegedly refused to countenance the idea of playing under Louis van Gaal but Mourinho is a man cut from similar cloth to Ibrahimovic and a deal "could be announced within the next 48 hours".

The pair know each other from their time at Inter Milan and Ibrahimovic wants to end his career by testing himself in the Premier League.

In addition, says the Mirror, Mourinho has identified Real Madrid's James Rodriguez, John Stones of Everton, Paris Saint-Germain's Marquinhos and Borussia Dortmund hitman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang "as his key targets".

As for United players who might be given their marching orders by Mourinho, Juan Mata and Bastian Schweinsteiger may soon be looking for a new employer.

And according to the Daily Star, United "are in negotiations" to sign Sporting Lisbon winger Andre Carrillo, despite the fact he's just signed for Benfica. The paper, citing as its source Portuguese newspaper Diario de Noticias, says the Peruvian could leave Benfica without ever playing for the Portuguese champions, such is the allure of the Special One. The Red Devils "are already in talks" with Benfica and an eye-watering offer will soon be headed their way.

Man Utd transfer news: Memphis Depay makes way for Sadio Mane

23 May

The future of Southampton star Sadio Mane has divided opinion in the media with the Daily Mirror linking him to Arsenal and others, including The Sun, claiming the fleet-footed 24-year-old frontman is on his way to Manchester United.

Apparently United "are set to start the bidding at £25m" and it will be up to the Gunners to see if they want to start a price war with their bitter rivals. With Memphis Depay likely to exit the club in the summer after failing to impress, United need fresh talent and Mane is that man with the Sun saying the club believe he would "join them even without the lure of Champions League football".

Meanwhile the Sun also says that United are "chasing a new keeper" who will become the long-term understudy to David de Gea, and the gloveman in question is England Under-21 star Jordan Pickford. Currently with Sunderland, the six-foot shotstopper has spent the last season on loan at Preston and his raw talent has caught the eye of United scouts.

But one young player likely to slip through United's fingers is West Ham's Reece Oxford, and all because of United’s "managerial uncertainty". Louis van Gaal looks set to be given the boot with Jose Mourinho replacing the Dutchman and Goal.com says the upheaval could "scupper" their chances of landing the 17-year-old.

United were said to be readying a £10m bid for the England Under-19 star but Goal.com says he is now likely to look to a club with more stability.

Man Utd transfer news: 'Firm offer' to re-sign Paul Pogba

23 May

There hasn't been much of a spark about Manchester United this season but that may be about to change, according to The Sun, although a deal to bring Paul Pogba back to the club could cost upwards of £60m and involve a large helping of humble pie.

Four years after he quit Old Trafford United "have made a firm offer" to re-sign their former trainee from Juventus, says the paper.

The French playmaker was one of a few rough diamonds to slip through Alex Ferguson's grasp during his quarter of a century at Old Trafford. Although Ferguson knew he had potential he was unable to prevent the youngster quitting the club for Juventus in 2012, citing a lack of first team opportunities.

Pogba has since blossomed into a star at Juventus and it's being reported in the Italian press that the Turin outfit "could be ready to part" with the 23-year-old this summer if the price is right.

Barcelona were once considered favourites to land Pogba but they are set to concentrate on reinforcing their rearguard this summer.

And another reason why the Catalan club is a little strapped for cash right now is because of a contract extension that puts paid to any lingering hopes United of signing Neymar. The Sun says that the Brazilian sorcerer is on the verge of penning a new six-year deal with Barcelona "that ensures Manchester United will have to shell out a staggering £170m to snare him".

The new contract will also see Neymar's weekly pay treble to the more respectable £231,000.

Man Utd transfer news: Raphael Varane and Romelu Lukaku hint at moves

19 May

Man United target Raphael Varane has given his clearest indication yet that he is open to a move to Old Trafford. Metro is just one of several papers to report the comments of the Real Madrid defender, who has "hinted he is unhappy" with life in Spain.

The 23-year-old defender has been tracked by Old Trafford scouts ever since his days with French club Lens, but Varane chose the Bernabeu back in 2011. Now in his fifth year at Madrid, Varane's career hasn't kicked on the way it should and in conversation with AFP the Frenchman expressed his disappointment with his lack of playing time in 2016.

"Until November I played nearly every game,” he said. "I made a few uncharacteristic mistakes but, over the whole of the season, you can't fixate on this...it's true that I would have liked to play the season's decisive games, especially in the Champions League, but these are the manager's decisions."

According to the Daily Mirror United are "on alert" following the comments, which ended with Varane saying: "I feel this is a crucial moment. I think a player has to develop and feel that they are important."

Talking of hints, the father of Romelu Lukaku has said he thinks his son will be out of Everton over the summer having grown frustrated at Goodison Park. The 23-year-old has been linked with various clubs, with Everton allegedly demanding £65m for the hitman, and when asked by Belgian rag Het Nieuwsblad about his son's likely destination, Roger Lukaku, replied: "Right now, I think the most suitable clubs for him are Bayern Munich or Manchester United."

As for when the move might happen, Lukaku senior declared: "I think a transfer will be done before the Euros."

One player who won't be heading to Old Trafford is Saul Niguez with The Sun saying the Spanish midfielder has pledged his loyalty to Atletico Madrid amid speculation he was mulling over a move to Manchester United. The Champions League finalists have persuaded the 21-year-old to put pen to paper and in doing so Niguez said: "I am very happy to continue to wear this shirt."

Man Utd transfer news: Samir Handanovic to replace David de Gea

18 May

Inter Milan stopper lined up after keeper issues Old Trafford quit threat - all the latest Man United transfer news and gossip

With David de Gea hinting that he might leave Manchester United if Louis van Gaal remains in charge next season, have United already identified the Spanish gloveman's replacement?

The Daily Express believes so, fingering Samir Handanovic as the man likely to stand between the sticks at Old Trafford next season - provided Chelsea don't sign the Inter Milan shotstopper first. Then again the 31-year-old may yet remain at the San Siro.

It's a tangled web, all right, and when the player's agent, Federico Pastorello, was asked by Italian outlet Calciomercato about Handanovic's future, he replied: “It's clear that if you ask him how the season went he's not happy, he's ambitious, and wants to make amends for some personal errors too."

Though Pastorello refused to be drawn on the Slovenia international's plans it's believed United are bracing themselves for de Gea's departure and will make a big offer in order to secure a goalkeeper of Handanovic's standing.

United's hopes of landing Edison Cavani are hanging in the balance with Metro reporting that the PSG striker is edging towards agreeing terms with Atletico Madrid. The paper says the Uruguayan is a "long-term transfer target" but in a radio interview with Spain's Cadena COPE, Madrid defender Diego Godin suggested his compatriot was close to pledging his loyalty to Atletico.

"He loves Atletico for the way they play and he would be delighted to come," said Godin. "I have called him several times [to tell him] to come to Atletico."