Man Utd transfer news: Thibaut Courtois, David de Gea, Paulo Dybala, Marcus Rashford
Reports claim that Real Madrid goalkeeper Courtois has turned down a swap deal involving United No.1 De Gea
Courtois cool on United
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has reportedly turned down a move to Manchester United as part of a “potential swap deal” with David de Gea.
The Daily Mirror says that since the return of Zinedine Zidane to Real Madrid the La Liga giants are desperate to get their mitts on United’s Spanish No.1 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.
However, their hopes of an exchange have come unstuck because Belgian stopper Courtois doesn’t wish to return to the Premier League.
Courtois, 26, quit Chelsea last year in acrimonious circumstances and it appears that he has no desire to leave Madrid for Manchester.
Real for their part are keen to finally land De Gea after being linked with the 28-year-old for several seasons. The gossip went quiet once Zidane left last May, but since he has come back to the Bernabeu the word is he wants De Gea as his priority signing this summer.
The Mirror claims that Courtois - who recently lost his place between the sticks to Keylor Navas - has told Real that if he is to be offloaded he would only be prepared to go to Paris Saint-Germain.
Duel for Dybala
United will have to fight rivals Manchester City for the hand of Paulo Dybala. Metro reports that the Juventus frontman is likely to be sold in the summer after a disappointing season in Turin.
The Argentine has scored just four Serie A goals in 25 appearances but it’s his form in the Champions League - five goals in seven games - that has caught the eye of the Manchester clubs.
Real Madrid are also interested in the services of the 25-year-old but Italian publication Corriere dello Sport claims that Juve are demanding £102m for Dybala.
That could be too much for Madrid, who have been linked with a big money swoop for Neymar and Eden Hazard, while United might also baulk at the figure.
City are serious in their pursuit of Dybala with Pep Guardiola regarding him as a ready-made replacement for fellow Argentine striker Sergio Aguero, 30.
Rashford future uncertain
Finally, The Sun says that United are “ready to trigger a 12-month extension for Marcus Rashford” if talks over a new five-year contract don’t produce a breakthrough.
The 21-year-old England striker has been bang in form since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over as caretaker manager in December.
United have been in discussions with Rashford’s agents for weeks but the Sun says they are “growing frustrated with a lack of progress”.
As a consequence United will activate a year’s extension to keep Rashford tied to the club until 2020, while pressing on with talks in the hope of getting him to sign a new five-year deal worth £180,000-a-week.
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
-
Why Bhutan hopes tourists will put a smile back on its face
Under The Radar The 'kingdom of happiness' is facing economic problems and unprecedented emigration
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
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
-
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 Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier 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
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated