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
-
The history of Donald Trump's election conspiracy theories
The Explainer How the 2024 Republican nominee has consistently stoked baseless fears of a stolen election
By David Faris Published
-
Two ancient cities have been discovered along the Silk Road
Under the radar The discovery changed what was known about the old trade route
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
'People shouldn't have to share the road with impaired drivers'
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
-
2022 World Cup final: Argentina vs. France prediction, preview, team news
feature Mbappé and Messi will go for glory, the golden boot, golden ball, and PSG bragging rights
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
‘Operation stop Mbappé’: how Kyle Walker can be England’s ‘secret weapon’ against France
feature Three Lions prepare to go head-to-head with the World Cup holders
By Mike Starling Published