Desperate for De Ligt
Matthijs de Ligt is possibly the most talked-about footballer in Europe right now after he captained Ajax to a stunning win over Juventus in the Champions League on Tuesday.
According to the Manchester Evening News (MEN) he is being pursued by a host of top clubs, including Man Utd and Man City.
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The 19-year-old centre-back was outstanding in Turin, and when asked about his future by Dutch TV he replied: “I don’t know.”
Barcelona have also been linked with De Ligt but the young defender refused to comment on transfer speculation. “Announce? There is nothing to announce,” he declared.
The MEN says that both United and City are tailing the Dutch international and it may lead to a bidding war in the summer.
£250m summer war chest
According to the Daily Mirror, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be handed £250m by executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward to rebuild the Manchester United squad this summer.
Describing the 3-0 defeat to Barcelona on Tuesday as a “debacle”, the paper says that the United gaffer is drawing up a shopping list and while De Ligt is one of the names on it so are the young England trio of Jadon Sancho, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
On their way out of Old Trafford, on the other hand, will be Antonio Valencia, Matteo Darmian, Marcos Rojo, Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and Alexis Sanchez.
The Times also believes there will be a major overhaul in the summer, and among the players who might be moved on are Romelu Lukaku and Ashley Young, both of whom “do not fit the style of play” wanted by Solskjaer.
De Gea discarded?
The Mirror speculates that time might be up for David de Gea after another gaffe from the Spanish gloveman.
With one year left on his contract, De Gea “has been well below his imperious best this season” and his blunder that gifted Barcelona their second goal could prompt United to listen to offers this summer.
The Mirror believes that De Gea’s demand for a salary “in excess of £400,000-a-week” is responsible for his loss of focus and United think they should cash in now rather than allow him to leave on a free transfer next year.
Premier League fixtures
Saturday 20 April (3pm unless stated)
- Manchester City vs. Tottenham Hotspur (12.30, live on Sky Sports)
- AFC Bournemouth vs. Fulham
- Huddersfield Town vs. Watford
- West Ham United vs. Leicester City
- Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
- Newcastle United vs. Southampton (5.30pm, live on BT Sport)
Sunday 21 April
- Everton vs. Manchester United (1.30pm, live on Sky Sports)
- Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace (4pm)
- Cardiff City vs. Liverpool (4pm, live on Sky Sports)
Monday 22 April
- Chelsea vs. Burnley (8pm, live on Sky Sports)
