Man Utd transfer news: Mourinho loses patience with Inter over Perisic deal

Man Utd transfer news: Gareth Bale set to quit Real Madrid

30 May

The Spanish media believe Gareth Bale's time at the Bernabeu is coming to an end with both Mundo Deportivo and Diario Gol claiming that the Welsh winger will leave Real Madrid if "he is benched for this weekend's Champions League final".

In recent weeks Real gaffer Zinedine Zidane has put his faith in youth, opting for the likes of Isco, Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez before the increasingly injury-prone Bale. The Daily Express says that as a result Bale and his agent, Jonathan Barnett, have been responding positively to advances made in their direction from Manchester United.

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Apparently Jose Mourinho has told United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward that he wants Bale at Old Trafford next season, and if Bale doesn't start the showpiece final against Juventus that is likely to happen. The Express says that in the event of Bale spending Saturday night warming the Cardiff bench Barnett will "not hesitate to begin the process of a move to United."

Meanwhile the Daily Mirror claims that United's pursuit of Ivan Perisic has "hit a stumbling block" thanks to the greed of Inter Milan. It seems that Jose Mourinho has added the Croat winger to his summer shopping list after Perisic's impressive season in Serie A but the pesky Italians aren't playing ball with the Mirror saying that they "value him at £50m, £15m more than United do."

As a result, says the paper, United could "revive their interest" in Chelsea's Willian if Inter don't come to their senses and slash their asking price.

Man Utd transfer news: Ibrahimovic and Rooney head for exit

26 May

Even as he helped his United teammates celebrate their Europa League triumph in his native Sweden, Zlatan Ibrahimovic was casting doubt on his Old Trafford future.

The stringy Swedish star sharpshooter was forced to watch from the sidelines as United beat Ajax to claim the trophy that's the most cherished title in European football behind the Champions League. The cruciate ligament injury he sustained earlier in the competition has called into question his future with the Red Devils and The Sun reports that the 35-year-old refused to commit himself to an Old Trafford return when asked by reporters. "In a few weeks I’ll be back in the field," he said. "Where? Let’s see."

The Sun says that the United contract he penned 12 months ago "stipulated that he would only be guaranteed a one-year extension" if he made 31 league starts and helped United to a top three finish. Neither of those objectives was reached and consequently, says the Sun, "a move to the MLS is looking more-and-more likely for the veteran".

And the Manchester Evening News reports that Wayne Rooney could follow Ibrahimovic through the Old Trafford exit. The paper says that the United talisman, who was relegated to the bench on Wednesday is jetting off on holiday to mull things over but the signs are that he will be bringing the curtain down on his long career as a Red Devil.

"There’s lots of offers on the table, both in England, abroad and really that’s what I have to decide on," said Rooney. Asked if he had made up his mind up on his future, Rooney replied: "More or less, yes."

Although he wouldn't give any clues as to a possible destination - with China and the US have both been rumoured in recent weeks - Rooney said he wanted more game time. "Of course, you want to play, you want to be on the pitch... and as I said, it’s a decision now I’ll make in the next couple of weeks."

Man Utd transfer news: Juventus 'hijack' Renato Sanches move

25 May

Champions League finalists Juventus are looking to show Europa League winners Man United who's boss, reports The Sun, with the paper claiming that the Italian side "hijack" United's move for Renato Sanches.

Apparently Juve have joined the race for the Bayern Munich star and the young midfielder must make up his mind whether to head to Turin or Old Trafford.

As the Sun says, Sanches "hasn't enjoyed the greatest start to his Allianz Arena career", making just six starts during his first season under coach Carlo Ancelotti, and that's led to speculation he could be heading for a shock exit a year after he joined Bayern for £30m.

United tailed Sanches last summer without success but the Sun claims they "could return with a new bid". However, Italian rag Corriere dello Sport says that Juventus have their eye on the Portuguese youngster and will look to make a double swoop on Bayern in the coming weeks, bagging Sanches and also Spurs target Douglas Costa.

As for Antoine Griezmann, the Daily Mirror reports that Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has played down talk of an imminent move to Old Trafford for the French striker. Earlier in the week Griezmann said there was a "six-out-of-ten chance" he would leave the club for United in the summer but Cerezo is quietly confident the Gallic goal-scorer will stay.

"There has been no approach from Manchester United and nobody has offered to pay the clause and I don't think anyone will," he told Radio RMC. "The situation is that Antoine Griezmann is an Atletico Madrid player and he has a contract until 2021. Never has he told me that he wants to leave."

Man Utd transfer news: Donnarumma deal rests on Champions League

24 May

As United prepare to do battle with Ajax in tonight's Europa League final in Sweden, it looks like they'll also soon have another fight on their hands, this time for Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The 18-year-old goalkeeping sensation is high on Jose Mourinho's summer shopping list but The Sun reports that AC Milan coach Vincenzo Montella is "doing everything" to keep hold of Donnarumma.

Described by the paper as one of "the hottest prospects in world football", United and rivals Man City have both been linked to the youngster in recent weeks. But when Mediaset asked Montella about the United rumours, the AC Milan boss replied: "The club are making enormous efforts to ensure his outstanding quality is recognised… now he needs to make a decision and realise what he wants to do as a grown-up."

Donnarumma has yet to sign a senior professional contract and his agent, Mino Raiola, who has good relations with United. has said "he wants to see what Milan will offer him in terms of wages". Montella said that "the club are doing all they can to keep hold of him" but it may come down to whether United beat Ajax tonight and secure a place in next season's Champions League, a tournament beyond AC Milan's grasp this year.

Meanwhile, The Sun also says that United "are ready to offload Chris Smalling this summer" after Mourinho decided it would be in everyone's interest if the 27-year-old defender moved on.

The Special One has criticised Smalling on more than once occasion this season and consequently he "looks to have run out of patience". It's believed that West Ham and West Brom are both in the hunt for Smalling, although Arsenal were also linked to him earlier in the season and could rejoin the chase in the coming days.

Man Utd transfer news: Griezmann deal rated 'six out ten'

23 May

Atletico Madrid marksman Antoine Griezmann has said a decision on his future will be made shortly and he hasn't ruled out a move to Old Trafford.

The Gallic goal machine dropped the bombshell during an interview with French TV show Quotidien, reports BBC Sport. Asked whether he will stay in Spain, the 26-year-old replied: "I think I will decide [on my future] in the next two weeks."

And if not, said the interviewer, was a move to United an option? "Possible, possible," said Griezmann, who has been linked to the Red Devils for much of the season.

And when he was asked to rate the chances of a move to Manchester on a scale of one to ten, the Atletico Madrid frontman said: "Six". Which, ironically, is also United's league position this season.

That mark out of ten and the timeframe appear to suggest that the outcome of the Europa League final could be key to any move. Victory against Ajax on Wednesday would return United to the Champions League, defeat would leave the club and any new recruits playing alongside Arsenal on Thursday night, making Old Trafford rather less attractive for Griezmann.

Meanwhile Talksport reports that United will have a devil of a job to lure Anderson Talisca to Old Trafford after the Brazil Under-23 international spoke of his wish to remain with Turkish giants Besiktas next season.

Apparently Jose Mourinho is "a fan of the 23-year-old midfielder" and he was expected to make a move for Talisca next month. But Turkish news outlet Ajanspor say that sources within the club are confident Talisca will stay at Besikta and even sign a deal to make his loan move from Benfica permanent. The only glimmer of hope for United is if they make Benfica an irresistible offer that will prompt the Portuguese side to sell them Talisca.