Man Utd transfer news: Bid for Morata after Andre Gomes snub
17 May
It never rains, but it pours, and don't Manchester United know it. As the red-faced Red Devils try to come to terms with Sunday's security fiasco that caused the abandonment of their match against Bournemouth, The Sun says there is more bad news brewing for the club.
The paper says that Juventus "have emerged as firm favourites" to sign Andre Gomes, the Valencia midfielder who until recently was heavily linked to Old Trafford. The 22-year-old Portuguese international has enjoyed a standout season in La Liga, and accordingly says the Sun his "value has almost quadrupled to a whopping £40m". Juventus's interest comes after they lost influential midfielder Claudio Marchisio to a serious knee injury and the Italian press reports that Gomes has in fact already "accepted a move to the Serie A" and all that remains is for the two clubs to agree a fee.
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Better news for United, however, in the pages of Metro, with the paper saying that the club are ready to "launch a massive offer for Juventus striker Alvaro Morata". How much is massive? According to Metro, via Italian outlet Tuttosport, United will table a £39.4m bid for the Spanish striker and they're confident the size of the offer will see off any last lingering competition from Arsenal, also said to be sniffing around the 23-year-old Morata.
United will also gave to see off Arsenal if they're to land Gabriel Jesus. According to Talksport, United believe the 19-year-old Jesus can be their savour next season although the Gunners also reckon the teenage frontman can resurrect their title credentials in 2017.
Dubbed the 'the new Neymar' by the Brazilian press, Jesus has been peforming miracles this season for Palmeiras and the South American club are expecting to make a pile of cash in a bidding war likely to involve United, Arsenal, Juventus and Barcelona. Apparently the Italian club have opened the bidding for Jesus with a £20m offer but United have yet to give up the ghost.
Man Utd transfer news: Top four to lure Diarra and Varane
13 May
If Lassana Diarra is to join United next season not only must the Red Devils beat Bournemouth on Sunday, but Manchester City must go down to Swansea. That scenario would mean a top four finish for United, and according to The Sun, it is only the lure of Champions League football that will tempt Diarra from Marseille to Old Trafford.
If they don't make the top four, the former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder - named in France's Euro 16 squad on Thursday night - will "reject a move" to United because he doesn't fancy spending his Thursday nights in the furthest most regions of eastern Europe in the Europa League.
The Sun claims that Diarra is also believed to be on Paris Saint-Germain's shopping list, but French media outlet Foot Mercato say United "are pushing to land Diarra this summer as they search for midfield reinforcements".
The fact Diarra is 31 doesn't apparently concern United, perhaps because they're also looking to bring in a younger pair of legs, belonging to Monaco star Bernardo Silva. Talksport reports that United "have stepped up their interest" in the 21-year-old after he came to the attention of Louis van Gaal in last summer's European Under-21 Championship.
The United manager has had Silva scouted on several occasions and Talksport say the club are "now ready to turn their interest into a concrete approach".
United have clearly been busy in the transfer market this week because over at the Daily Star, there's a confident claim that "discussions are underway with representatives for both Raphael Varane and Joao Mario".
Centre-back Varane is struggling for game time at Real Madrid and was first linked to the Red Devils at the start of the week. According to the Star, United chiefs have started talks with Real "to try and thrash out a £30m move", although he, like Diarra, may not be keen to play in the Europa League.
A more positive outcome is hoped for after United opened up a line communication with Mario's people in the hope of signing the Sporting Lisbon youngster in a £45m deal
Man Utd transfer news: Sanches snub, but could John Terry sign?
11 May
It hasn't been the best 24 hours for Manchester United, having suffered defeat at the hands of West Ham and lost out in their bid to sign Renato Sanches.
Talksport reports that the Benfica teenager penned a five-year deal with Bayern Munich on Tuesday worth £27m, ending the Red Devils hopes of landing the 18-year-old midfielder. The Portugal international has enjoyed a sensational breakthrough season for club and country and United will be bitterly disappointed to lose out on the gifted playmaker.
But having completed his medical, the youngster was unveiled as Bayern's latest recruit in a deal that left club chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in gloating mood: "We're pleased we've been able to sign him despite big-name international competition," declared Rummenigge. "Renato is dynamic, a good tackler and a technically skilled midfielder who'll add even more strength to our team."
So with United in need of a comfort buy who might they turn to? Talksport report the claim by Spanish outlet Super Deporte that they have earmarked Valencia star Andre Gomes as a likely target. In fact United "are ready to break the bank" for the 22-year-old, which is likely to mean stumping up £50m for a player Valencia are reluctant to lose.
But could United be on the brink of an even more stunning purchase? Goal.com notes that they are second favourites to sign Chelsea legend John Terry if, as expected, the 35-year-old is cut adrift by the Blues this summer.
The move could depend on United also hiring Jose Mourinho, but Goal.com says "it is not impossible to imagine the Special One attempting to rile up Roman Abramovich by luring his former protege to Old Trafford".
Man Utd transfer news: Raphael Varane deal rests on Europe
10 May
Real Madrid star Raphael Varane may be an interested observer when Manchester United travel to West Ham tonight because Talksport says the 23-year-old centre-back is weighing up a move to Old Trafford. Such a move would likely be dependent on the Red Devils qualifying for next season's Champions League, a possibility that would be strengthened by victory over the Hammers this evening.
Varane is highly rated in Spain having developed into one of La Liga's most reliable defenders since arriving from French club Lens, and though Real are said to be "determined to keep" the Frenchman, Talksport says United are planning to shatter their revolve with an irresistible offer.
And another young star in the sights of United is Riyad Mahrez. That's what the Daily Star claims, though they are good enough to credit the story to the France Football journal.
Apparently the Old Trafford club "have already approached the Algerian about a switch" and they are confident that Mahrez will leave Leicester provided he has the guarantee of Champions League football next season.
The Star says that the initial approach was made by United to the 25-year-old when the two clubs met at Old Trafford at the start of the month.
Leicester have stated in recent days that none of their title-winning squad are for the sale but with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain all said to be after Mahrez it's believed the Foxes will sell to the highest bidder.
Man Utd transfer news: Chelsea pull out of John Stones race
9 May
Chelsea have pulled out of the race to sign John Stones, says the Daily Express, which is good news for United, who still want the youngster despite an indifferent season at Goodison Park.
Chelsea made a series of bids for the Everton defender last summer, in the days when they were still a big noise in the Premier League, but stories at the weekend claim they have now turned their attention to PSG's Marquinhos
United, however, are still intent on signing Stones, and the Express says they are ready to see off competition from Manchester City and Barcelona by stumping up the Toffees' asking price of £40m.
But the news isn't so good as far as Robert Lewandowski is concerned with the Daily Star reporting that Real Madrid "are ready to scupper" the Red Devils plans to sign the Bayern Munich striker. The Pole with the taste for goal comes with an £80m price tag, a valuation that hasn't deterred United or Real.
But the Star says that the Spanish giants have decided to ditch Karim Benzema this summer and the money made on the fiery Frenchman will be used to prise the 27-year-old Lewandowski from the German champions.
Finally, United and their loathed neighbours City will be battling it out next month in a bid to sign Sporting Lisbon ace Joao Mario. Reporting comments made in Portuguese rag A Bola, the Daily Mirror claims that the midfielder will be available for a fee of around £40m.
United are near the front of the queue but will have to beat off interest from the Sky Blues and Atletico Madrid to get their man.
Man Utd transfer news: £50m for Andre Gomes and no Aubameyang
05 May
Find £50m or forget about signing Andre Gomes - that's what Valencia are saying to Manchester United, reports Talksport, which explains that the Spanish club have slapped a mammoth price tag on the midfielder wanted by United, Juventus and Chelsea.
Likened to a young Zinedine Zidane, the 22-year-old is regarded as one of the brightest talents in Europe - and Valencia are well aware of the fact. According to Talksport, Juventus made an initial offer of £23m and were told in words that needed no translation where they could stick their bid.
To avoid any further confusion Valencia "have informed interested club Gomes will cost £50m", and it remains to be seen whether United will stump up the money required to prise the Portugal international from Spain.
One player who needs no prising from anywhere is Ashley Fletcher. The Manchester Evening News reports that the 20-year-old striker, who has spent the last season on loan with League One Barnsley, is returning to Old Trafford with one aim only: "I'll be going back to Manchester United as a better player," declared the England Under 21 frontman. "Getting a run of games has also benefited me in terms of my fitness. I'll go back to United at the end of the season and try and push my way into the first team."
Finally, Borussia Dortmund have trying to squash rumours that Gabon goal machine Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could leave the club for Old Trafford this summer. The Daily Mirror reports that the striker, who's scored 40 goals in 46 games this season, will remain in Germany for a further season and then move to Real Madrid, who see Aubameyang as the ideal man to replace Cristiano Ronaldo.
The could mean United redoubling their efforts to sign Romelu Lukaku of Everton, adds the paper.
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