Morata 'agrees' Man United deal, but Real Madrid want £70m
Spanish club demand huge fee for wantaway striker in order to fund their pursuit of Kylian Mbappe

It's a done deal between Alvaro Morata and Jose Mourinho, claims The Sun, which says the pair have "reached an agreement" over the former's move to Old Trafford.
The Manchester United manager turned his attention to the Spanish striker after failing in his bid to lure Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid, and according to Sky Italia Morata has agreed to join United.
Admittedly, that's only half the battle with the Sun saying that United now have to agree a transfer fee with Real Madrid and it's believed they will open negotiations today. Apparently the European champions "are holding out for upwards of £70m", an exorbitant figure for a player who has failed to make the regular starting line-up, but they have set the price high because "the sale would fund the desired purchase of Monaco's Kylian Mbappe".
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.
Meanwhile United have been given a glimmer of hope should they still have an interest in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, reports Metro. The paper says that Paris Saint-Germain have pulled out of the running to sign the Borussia Dortmund striker.
Apparently the Gabon goal machine was on "the verge of moving to Paris" but German paper Bild says that PSG have performed a U-turn after coach Unai Emery decided he doesn't need another marksman after all. That's "alerted" United to his availability although they still face competition for his signature from Tianjin Quanjian.
Metro says that the Chinese Super League outfit have offered him an eye-watering annual salary of £34.9m a year, or put another way, £672,000 per week, but Aubameyang is said to be keen to remain in Europe.
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
-
America's academic brain drain has begun
IN THE SPOTLIGHT As the Trump administration targets universities and teachers, educators are eying greener academic pastures elsewhere — and other nations are starting to take notice
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Why is Musk targeting a Wisconsin Supreme Court race?
Today's Big Question His money could help conservatives, but it could also produce a Democratic backlash
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
How to pay off student loans
The explainer Don't just settle for the default repayment plan
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
New Trafford: can it fix Manchester United's footballing problems?
Talking Point Plan for £2 billion stadium despite staff job losses and lack of success on the pitch
By The Week UK Published
-
Denis Law obituary: fond farewell to 'the King of the Stretford End'
In the Spotlight Scottish footballer who was one of Manchester United's 'Holy Trinity' has died aged 84
By The Week UK 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?
In the Spotlight 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
In the Spotlight The Ineos owner is the first to publicly bid for the 13-time Premier League winners
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published