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

Man Utd transfer news: Mourinho wants Lukaku and Matic

22 May

Jose Mourinho is poised to make what The Sun describes as a "shock" move for Nemanja Matic next month as he seeks a reunion with his former Chelsea enforcer.

The paper says that the United manager is ready to offer the Blues £35m for the 28-year-old Serbian star, a player he brought to England in 2014 when he signed him for Chelsea from Benfica.

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Apparently Mourinho wants him to form the heart "of a new-look midfield for next season" although he recognises it will be a challenge to lure him from Stamford Bridge given he's started 30 leagues game for the champions this season.

But the Sun senses that Chelsea gaffer Antonio Conte may be willing to sell Matic because of suggestions that the Italian is close to signing Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko. In addition speculation is increasing that contrary to rumours earlier in the year, Conte will retain Cesc Fabregas for next season because of his fine form recently.

Meanwhile The Sun also says that if United are serious about signing Romelu Lukaku he's going to cost them £100m. Everton are determined to squeeze every last penny out of the 23-year-old Belgian sharpshooter with the Sun claiming that Goodison boss Ronald Koeman is "prepared to play hardball" with United and Chelsea. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic's top-flight career all but over following his knee injury last month, Mourinho is desperate for a top-class finisher and Lukaku fits the bill having scored his 25th goal of the season against Arsenal on Sunday.

But Chelsea are also after their former frontman and Koeman sees an opportunity to pit the two powerhouses against each other in a bidding war. Lukaku, who still has two years left on his current contract, is said to be partial to a return to Stamford Bridge but if United can stump up the eye-watering asking price they might yet triumph.

Finally the Daily Star reports that United have "entered the race for Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski". The 23-year-old Poland playmaker has been linked to Arsenal this season but United scouts were in Italy to see Zielinski dazzle in the 4-1 win over Fiorentina and the Star claims that Mourinho sees him as the long-term successor to the ageing Michael Carrick.

Man Utd transfer news: Nainggolan to ease burden on Pogba

19 May

Chelsea have a rival in the race to sign Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan, reports Sky Sports, which claims Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is looking to outbid his old club for the Belgian ace.

Apparently United "are keen to trump Chelsea in their efforts to sign the 29-year old" and will pull out all the stops to land Nainggolan.

The Blues were unsuccessful last summer in a £34m bid to bring him to Stamford Bridge but Antonio Conte is determined to have a second attempt next month. But Sky Sports says that Mourinho is equally resolute in his pursuit of the Serie A star although at the same time "United's interest is at an early stage and no deal has been agreed".

It's said that Mourinho is having doubts about Paul Pogba's ability to adapt to the rough and tumble of the Premier League and he believes that a harder character such as Nainggolan may be what's required for next season.

The bullish Belgian has scored 15 goals for Roma this season, the first time he has ever reached double figures in his career, and it's believed the Italian outfit will want in excess of £40m for Nainggolan.

Meanwhile the Manchester Evening News reports that Antoine Griezmann has pledged his allegiance to Atletico Madrid in the face of rumours linking him to United but the matter could be taken out of his hands. Speaking on Spanish radio, the French striker said: "I do not make plans for tomorrow. I remain at Atletico because I am happy, just the same as the day I joined."

But according to the MEN, Atletico believe they must shake up their squad in the summer if they are to seriously challenge Real Madrid and Barcelona for silverware next season, and the best way to do that is to sell their star asset. With United ready to pay around £100m for the 26-year-old Griezmann, Atletico are expected to accept the offer and use the money to bring in four or five new faces.

Man Utd transfer news: Gareth Bale mega deal could be on

18 May

Real Madrid star Gareth Bale is edging closer to a big-money move to Manchester United, reports Caughtoffside, which takes its story from a claim made in Spanish outlet Diario Gol.

Apparently the Welsh wizard's agent is "holding transfer talks as he bids to negotiate a possible move to the Premier League".

Rumours began circulating earlier in the year that Bale wanted out of the Bernabeu and he had his heart set on Old Trafford rather than a return to former club Tottenham.

It seems that Bale is not happy with how Real Madrid have responded to his injury troubles and, limited to just 17 league starts this season, Bale believes it might be best if he cut his losses and returned to Blighty and a new challenge with United.

Meanwhile the Manchester Evening News says that United "remain hopeful" that Michael Carrick will sign a one-year extension and end his career at Old Trafford. The midfielder, who is out of contract at the end of this campaign, turns 36 next month but Jose Mourinho believes he can still squeeze another season out of Carrick. He is also "keen" for Carrick to join the coaching staff after he retires and maintain what the MEN describes as a "continuity among the playing staff".

Carrick could also gain an understudy next season, as The Sun says that United are likely to swoop for Eric Dier shortly with the Spurs man "keen" to swap White Hart Lane for Old Trafford.

Valued at £40m, Dier is being tempted by the possibility of doubling his pay packet and it's believed Tottenham are willing to let him go provided their asking price is met.

And another youngster being linked with United is Michael Keane. Sky Sports says that the 24-year-old defender, who left Old Trafford to join Burnley in 2015 in a £2m deal, is being tailed by the Red Devils who have been impressed with the way he's blossomed at Turf Moor.

Sky Sports say that formal talks have yet to begin but apparently United "have a 25 per cent sell-on clause standing from that deal, meaning they would be due a quarter of any fee paid to re-sign Keane back". And that in effect will earn them a discount on any deal to buy him back.

Man Utd transfer news: Griezmann and Silva prioritised over James Rodriguez

17 May

Calm down, everyone, that's the message from The Sun to Manchester United fans, with the paper saying that contrary to rumour James Rodriguez is not on the cusp of signing for the club.

Speculation has been gathering pace in recent days that the Colombian playmaker would be revealed as United's first summer signing as early as Sunday, but the Sun says "no deal is imminent" despite Real Madrid's wish to offload Rodriguez. That's because Jose Mourinho has other priorities in the transfer market, namely Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann and Monaco's Bernardo Silva.

The Sun claims that United will only make a move for Rodriguez "should they miss out on their top summer targets".

There's a three-horse race to sign Santos midfielder Thiago Maia, reports Caughtoffside, with the website claiming that United are neck-and-neck going into the home straight with Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.

The 20-year-old midfielder is regarded as one of the most promising talents in South America and he came to prominence at last year's Rio Olympics when he helped the host nation to a football gold medal.

It's reported that PSG made a pitch for the young playmaker in January but got nowhere, but they're determined to have another crack and will meet Santos' reported asking price of £16m.

But Jose Mourinho is said to be keen on Maia as he looks to overhaul his midfield after United's mediocre season. With Michael Carrick set for the knacker's yard, the Special One sees Maia as the man to replace the veteran midfielder at Old Trafford.

Finally, the Daily Express claims that the Red Devils "have made an approach" for Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. In recent months the Gabon ace has been linked to Arsenal and Manchester City, but the Express, quoting French sports daily L'Equipe, says intermediaries for United "have made it known they have a concrete interest in Aubameyang".

But before United fans go out and buy the replica shirt, it's rumoured that Aubameyang could be tempted to the Chinese Super League by Tianjin Quanjian, who "are willing to pay over £800,000-a-week to sign him"

Man Utd transfer news: James Rodriguez key to De Gea deal

16 May

Have Real Madrid taken the first step in their carefully-conceived plot to prise David de Gea from Old Trafford?

According to Talksport the Spanish giants have "agreed to terminate the contract of Keylor Navas", a sure sign in the broadcaster's eyes that they are paving the way for a big-money move for the Manchester United stopper.

Spanish rag Don Balon says that Madrid will allow Navas to leave the Bernabeu at the end of the season having "agreed to pay up the final three years on his contract just to get him off the books". That's because they have their heart set on the 26-year-old De Gea, who arrived at United from Atletico Madrid in 2011 and has been linked with a return to his homeland for the past two seasons.

But United won't let their keeper leave without a fight and De Gea could be used as leverage by United in their bid to beat Chelsea to the hand of James Rodriguez.

The Daily Express says that they and the Blues are both "gunning" for the 25-year-old Colombian who has long been linked with a move away from Spain. The Express says that Real "want £64m to let him go" but it's believed the Red Devils may use De Gea to force down the price.

According to the Express United are "favourites to secure a deal" because Rodriguez's agent, Jorge Mendes, also takes care of business for Jose Mourinho.