Manchester United take on Real Madrid this evening in another meaningless pre-season fixture, also known as the Uefa Super Cup, and it appears that Jose Mourinho will use the occasion to sound out Gareth Bale over a possible move to Old Trafford.
Reports last week suggested that United and Chelsea were both vying for the Welshman's hand and now The Sun reports that Mourinho has admitted he will "fight" for the opportunity to sign the former Tottenham star.
Although he was cagey when asked if he was actively pursuing Bale, who is reportedly seeking an exit from the Bernabeu this month, Mourinho did open up when he was asked what he would do if Real Madrid let it be known they were willing to talk terms.
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"If he is not in the club's plans, that with the arrival of another player would mean he was on his way out, I will try to be waiting for him on the other side and fight with other coaches that would want him on their team," said Mourinho.
What is the possibility of that happening? According to the Sun Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is "tempted to cut losses on Bale" having recently calculated that he has cost them £830,000 a game in his four season at the Spanish giants.
However, United's chances of landing Bale could be jeopardised by events in France with the Daily Mirror reporting that Paris Saint-Germain, not satisfied with paying £200m for Neymar, are now eyeing up a £160m swoop for Kylian Mbappe.
That will be a big blow for Real Madrid, who have been heavily linked with the Monaco ace in recent weeks, but according to the French press, PSG are now favourites to sign the teenage sensation. It had been said that Real would offload Bale in order to free up funds to buy Mbappe but it could be that the Welshman now stays in the Spanish capital.
Man Utd open talks over Gareth Bale as Roma eye Juan Mata
4 August
All major transfers will pale in comparison to Neymar's extraordinary move to Paris Saint-Germain this summer, but United could be about to fork out the second-biggest transfer fee of all time for Gareth Bale.
The Daily Express is one of several papers to claim that Real Madrid "have held preliminary talks" with both United and Chelsea over Bale.
The Welsh winger's future at the Bernabeu is up in the air with rumours circulating that Real could be ready to let Bale go in order to facilitate the signing of Kylian Mbappe from Monaco.
Spanish rag Marca says that Bale believes a return to the Premier League would be best for his career and United are the frontliners to land him provided they stump up around £90m, a record-breaking fee last week, but small change in the post-Neymar world.
Serie A side Roma have set their sights on Manchester United midfielders Juan mata after being given the brush off by Leicester star Riyad Mahrez
According to Metro the Spanish playmaker "is a shock target" for the Serie A side after they finally gave up the ghost on Mahrez.
They had been challenging Arsenal for the hand of the Leicester winger but earlier this week Foxes gaffer Craig Shakespeare confirmed that while he had accepted Mahrez's wish to leave the King Power stadium he had been told by the Algerian star that he wanted to stay in England and join one of the "big six" clubs. That was a hammer blow to Roma, who had put aside around £30m to sign Mahrez, and according to Italian rag Corriere dello Sport they now have identified Mata as their new target.
Mata has a year to run on his existing deal at Old Trafford but it's believed that United would be ready to sell for a hefty sum this summer rather than see the veteran playmaker leave on a free at the end of this season. Metro speculates that Roma's chances of landing Mata may rest on whether United are able to prise Ivan Perisic from Inter Milan.
Man Utd transfer news: Hunt for Bale and Barkley is on
28 July
According to the Daily Telegraph United are "on red alert after being given fresh encouragement in their long-standing pursuit of Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale".
Rumours have been swirling around Old Trafford for the best part of a year that the club were trying to lure Bale back to Britain four years after he left Spurs for Real and the Telegraph says that United are poised to have another crack at winkling the Welshman out of the Bernabeu.
Apparently Zinedine Zidane needs to raise more capital to help fund the alleged £160m move for Monaco star Kylian Mbappe and one option is to offload Bale. "I hope everyone remains," said the coach. "I want everyone who is here now to stay, but anything can happen right up until 31 August."
No figure is given as to what Real might demand for the player they bought for £90m in 2013 but reports earlier in the year suggested Bale's current asking price is around £60m.
Jose Mourinho has conceded defeat in his pursuit of Inter winger Ivan Perisic, claims Metro, with the paper reporting that the United manager has thrown in the towel and is now chasing RB Leipzig star Emil Forsberg.
The Portuguese preener has made it clear he hasn't finished dabbling in the transfer market but attempts to prise Perisic from Inter failed with Metro claiming the Italian outfit couldn't resist "playing hard ball over a fee". Their demand for £50m infuriated the Red Devils gaffer and according to Italian outlet Calciomercato, Forsberg "is the player Mourinho has now set his sights on".
Apparently United have already contacted the Swedish midfielder’s representatives, people they know well having dealt with them earlier in the summer when they signed Victor Lindelof. Metro says Forsberg would likely command a similar £35m price tag to Perisic given his stellar performances last season for RB Leipzig.
But the German outfit are said to be "very reluctant to sell" with sporting director Ralf Rangnick as determined to hang on to the Swede as he is Naby Keita, who has in recent days been linked with a move to Liverpool. "I expect them to play for us next season," said Rangnick. "Both are extraordinary players who make the difference for our team."
Elsewhere and Talksport says that United are in hot pursuit of Everton midfielder Ross Barkley. Described by the broadcaster as a " contract rebel", the 23-year-old is destined to leave Goodison Park this season after manager Ronald Koeman made it clear he was ready to offload him.
United are going head-to-head with Tottenham for the services of Barkley with Mourinho known to be a fan of the England international.
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