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

Man Utd transfer news: Riches and top billing tempt Neymar

3 April

Neymar has set his sights on becoming the world's richest footballer and that could open the door to a move to either Chelsea or Manchester United, reports the Sunday Times.

The Brazilian frontman is apparently struggling to make ends meet on what he's paid at Barcelona and the Times claims that sources close to the 25-year-old say he is seeking an "annual after-tax salary in the region of €25m (£21.2m)". That would be more than Lionel Messi's salary at Barca and the wages received by Cristiano Ronald at Real Madrid.

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But there's more than just money behind Neymar's alleged desire to move to England, adds the ST. Equally important, "is the opportunity to escape the situation at Barcelona, where Messi and Luis Suarez are considered more important to the club's success".

Neymar knows that were he to join the Blues or United, he would be the star turn, particularly at United where manager Jose Mourinho has made no secret of his desire to sign Neymar, given his side's struggles to score goals this season. It's believed that the Old Trafford club are "promising to meet his financial demands and - if necessary - pay the €200m (£170m) release clause in his Camp Nou contract".

Meanwhile the Daily Express says that Mourinho is "preparing a double swoop for Monaco pair Djibril Sidibe and Benjamin Mendy". The goalless draw against WBA at the weekend has reinforced the Special One's belief that the squad as it currently stands is simply not strong enough and he's enlarging his summer shopping list as a result.

While the Express says that the places of Antonio Valencia and Daley Blind aren't in jeopardy, Mourinho nonetheless believes greater competition is needed at full-back and that's why he's going to table bids for the two Monaco defenders. As for the likely cost, the Express says United "may be forced to cough up £33m to secure their services".

Man Utd transfer news: Real Madrid must pay £66m for David de Gea

31 March

United have put a price on the head of David de Gea in a bid to get Real Madrid to put up or shut up, reports the Daily Express.

The European champions have been loitering with intent outside Old Trafford in recent weeks hoping to entice the gloveman to the Bernabeu, and the Express says the Red Devils could be prepared to let De Gea go if they fail to qualify for next season's Champions League - but only if, in that event, "a bid of more than £66m was made".

That would shatter the existing transfer record for a goalkeeper, which was the £33m Juventus paid Parma for Gianluigi Buffon in 2001, but Real might be willing to meet such a fee such is their desire to land De Gea.

It seems that Jose Mourinho has started his summer shopping early with Metro reporting that the Manchester United gaffer has "offered a contract to Napoli forward Dries Mertens".

The 29-year-old, who has scored19 goals in 26 appearances in Serie A this season, was linked with United earlier in the season and according to Italian rag La Repubblica, the club have tabled a £4m-a-season deal to lure the Belgium international to Old Trafford.

Apparently negotiations began at the start of March with United poised to secure his signature after Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis refused to increase Mertens's current wages of £2.5m a year.

Meanwhile, Caughtoffside claims that Mourinho is also chasing Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich.

The 22-year-old is developing nicely at the German champions but there has been gossip for a while that United are anxious to sign him in the summer. German magazine Kicker says that Man City boss Pep Guardiola has also sent his scouts to Munich but that United remain favourites to land the youngster.

Man Utd transfer news: Ibrahimovic hints that he will stay

30 March

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has dropped his biggest hint yet that he will be back at Old Trafford next season, reports Talksport.

The gangly goal machine has scored 26 times in 41 appearances for the Red Devils since arriving in August from Paris Saint-Germain on a one year deal with the option of a second season included.

There has been talk in recent weeks that the veteran striker could enjoy one final lucrative pay-day in either the USA or China, but Ibrahimovic has now hinted that he'll be taking up the option of 12 more months. "I never leave a job unfinished," he said. "I'm a person when I go into something I put my head 200 per cent and I do what I'm good at."

Although he refused to make any rash promises, the Swede did admit negotiations were underway. "Let's see what happens, we are talking. I have an option for another year, I want to do great as long as I'm here, so let us see, there is a lot of time.

Over at the Daily Mirror there's a growing belief that Jose Gimenez will be wearing the red of United next season.

Apparently the Atletico Madrid defender is "keen" on a move to Old Trafford because he's finding it hard to dislodge Diego Godin and Stefan Savic from the starting line-up. Gimenez's contract expires in 14 months but there is a £56m buyout clause, which United might consider paying in the summer if Jose Mourinho believes the Uruguay international is the best solution to his side's defensive vulnerability.

Man Utd transfer news: Bakayoko deal depends on Champions League

29 March

Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko will join Manchester United this summer - if they qualify for the Champions League.

That's the bullish claim made by the Manchester Evening News, which claims the 22-year-old, who has also been linked with Chelsea and Arsenal, has still not made up his mind where he'll be playing next season.

According to the MEN, reports that "Chelsea have already agreed personal terms with Bakayoko ahead of a £35m transfer are wide of the mark" and United are in a strong position to land the Monaco magician because Anthony Martial is a good pal.

However, friendship or no friendship, Bakayoko has no intention of playing in the Europa League next season. A source close to the player told the Mancester paper: "Manchester United is a big club and [Jose] Mourinho is a big coach, and Tiemoue needs a big coach to continue his progression. He wants to play in the Champions League and… it will inevitably be taken into account."

One player who seems sure to join United no matter what is Celtic defender Kieran Tierney.

According to Metro, the Old Trafford outfit "are readying a move" for the 19-year-old after Mourinho had his scouts check him out in the last Old Firm derby.

The claim will cause consternation at Arsenal as the Gunners have also sent their spies north of the border this season to run the rule over the dynamic defender.

Finally, The Sun says Mourinho wants to prise Eric Dier from Spurs this summer.

Recognising that "doing business with Tottenham is fraught with complications", the United boss nevertheless sees the 23-year-old as the man to replace veteran Michael Carrick in the midfield.

It is likely to cost United in the region of £40m to secure the player - and that's assuming the Lilywhites want to sell.

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