Man Utd transfer news: Real Madrid demand £78m for Alvaro Morata
Another summer spending spree planned at Old Trafford, as Mourinho takes a break - latest Man Utd transfer news and gossip
If Manchester United want to sign striker Alvaro Morata this summer it will cost them a whopping £78.6m, reports The Sun.
The paper says that the Red Devils have tabled a £52m bid for the Real Madrid forward but that was quickly kicked into touch by the European champions who have told United to get serious. Apparently Jose Mourinho is "set to spend big this summer" as he looks to transform his side into title contenders next season and top of his shopping list is Morata, who the United manager sees as the man to replace Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney up front.
While Real are prepared to listen to offers for the 24-year-old Spanish international, they want £78m for the player and any negotiations with United will not include a potential transfer to Real for David de Gea.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The United goalkeeper is a long-time target for the Spanish giants but his future is not linked to that of Morata. The Sun says that if United decide against meeting Real's asking price they will likely turn to Torino striker Andrea Belotti as their plan B.
The Sun also reports that more defensive players including Nemanja Matic, Victor Lindelof and Michael Keane are on Mourinho's wishlist.
However, the paper claims that the United manager will not spend the summer involved in transfer negotiations.
"United had an immensely long season that was draining on Mourinho and his players," says the Sun and as a result Mourinho has grown "tired of football" and is determined to take a complete break from the game before returning, rejuventated, for pre-season.
That leaves chief executive Ed Woodward in charge of recruitment this summer having been handed a list of targets by his manager.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'This needs to be a bigger deal'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
The European Super League: a 90th-minute reprieve?
Why everyone's talking about A European court ruling has potentially breathed new life into the breakaway football league
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
By Jamie Timson Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man Utd win the Carabao Cup: how Erik ten Hag has ‘transformed’ the Red Devils
feature United lifted their first silverware since 2017 after beating Newcastle at Wembley
By Mike Starling Published
-
Jim Ratcliffe: petrochemical billionaire turned Man Utd bidder
Why Everyone’s Talking About The Ineos owner is the first to publicly bid for the 13-time Premier League winners
By Richard Windsor Published
-
Reactions to Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘explosive’ interview with Piers Morgan
feature Portugal captain feels ‘betrayed’ by Man Utd and believes he’s being forced out of the club
By Mike Starling Published
-
What next for Cristiano Ronaldo? How the relationship with Man Utd turned sour
Under the Radar Portugal star has ‘almost certainly’ played his last game for United as he is dropped for Chelsea clash
By Mike Starling Published