Bid in for Koulibaly
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made his move for Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly.
The Sun reports that the 27-year-old defender, who unfortunately scored an own goal against Arsenal on Thursday night, has been linked with Old Trafford as Solskjaer looks to beef up his back four.
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It’s claimed in Italy that United have tabled “a £90m world-record bid” for the Senegal international.
That dwarfs the current record fee for a defender - the £75m that Liverpool paid Southampton for Virgil van Dijk - but Solskjaer is said to believe that money is no object when it comes to his pursuit of Koulibaly.
Adieu Alderweireld
United have been monitoring Real Madrid’s French World Cup winner Raphael Varane and Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld, but the latter’s age has deterred Solskjaer.
Old Trafford is no place for 30-year-olds and Koulibaly is seen by Solskjaer as the man who could be the heart of his defence for the next few years.
Gueye going to United?
BT Sport reports that Everton manager Marco Silva is unfazed at speculation linking Idrissa Gana Gueye with a summer switch to Old Trafford.
Apparently the Red Devils like the look of the Senegal midfielder but Silva is confident that Gueye will be back at Goodison Park next season.
“It’s news to me,” Silva said in response to a question about the United link. “[I] have no concerns about that or all the other speculation in the media that will come in the next few days or weeks.
“It’s something natural but I’m not here to answer all the possible rumours.”
Arsenal reach out to Herrera
The Daily Mirror springs a surprise with a claim that Arsenal “have made a late play to try and persuade Ander Herrera to not join Paris Saint-Germain”.
The Spanish midfielder has failed to agree terms on a new contract at Old Trafford, and there is a growing belief that the 29-year-old is heading to the French capital in the summer.
But the Mirror, citing French sports daily L’Equipe as its source, says that the Gunners “are preparing an 11th-hour offer” in the hope they can tempt Herrera to stay in England.
Fernandes fancies it
If Herrera does leave it looks like his replacement could be Sporting Lisbon ace Bruno Fernandes. According to the Mirror, United “held talks” with him this week and a move is looking likely.
Portuguese newspaper A Bola claims that negotiations are well underway and Fernandes, who is the top-scoring midfielder in Europe’s leagues with 27 goals, is eager to sign for United.
Premier League fixtures
Friday 12 April
- Leicester City vs. Newcastle United (8pm, live on Sky Sports)
Saturday 13 April (3pm unless stated)
- Tottenham Hotspur vs. Huddersfield Town (12.30pm, live on Sky Sports)
- Brighton and Hove Albion vs. AFC Bournemouth
- Burnley vs. Cardiff City
- Fulham vs. Everton
- Southampton vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Manchester United vs. West Ham United (5.30pm, live on BT Sport 1)
Sunday 14 April
- Crystal Palace vs. Manchester City (2.05pm, live on Sky Sports)
- Liverpool vs. Chelsea (4.30pm, live on Sky Sports)
Monday 15 April
- Watford vs. Arsenal (8pm, live on Sky Sports)
