Namely, that the 30-year-old Chilean will have to “lower his crazy wage demands”. Currently pocketing an estimated £505,000-a-week at Old Trafford, Sanchez is said to be reluctant to take a salary reduction but unless he does his career will continue to stagnate.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sanchez has scored just three Premier League goals in nearly 18 months at United and apparently boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is “keen to offload the flop in a massive summer overhaul”.
Rojo also facing the axe
Argentine defender Marcos Rojo is also expected to be axed (with French club Marseille interested), which will save United £150,000-a-week in wages, but it’s Sanchez who could save them the most money.
Serie A giants Inter are in pole position to land Sanchez, although Paris Saint-Germain see him “as an option”, although they too aren’t prepared to meet his United salary.
Lukaku dreams of Italy
Romelu Lukaku has “cast fresh doubt” on his Man Utd future after admitting that playing in Italy is on his bucket list.
The Daily Mirror says that the Belgian marksman has been increasingly unsettled this season, and the paper namechecks Juventus as a potential destination.
In an interview with Sky Italia, the 25-year-old was asked to address rumours linking him with Italy.
“Playing in Serie A is a dream, it would be really a dream,” replied Lukaku, although like every fully committed professional, he was quick to pledge his loyalty to his current club. “I hope to be able to play sooner or later, even if at the moment I am focused on United.”
Sancho transfer tussle
The Daily Mirror also has some worrying news for United with regard to their pursuit of teenage sensation Jadon Sancho.
It seems that Real Madrid are now on the tail of the 18-year-old England winger, and according to the Independent neither club “are likely to baulk at the £100m asking price”.
Borussia Dortmund are desperate to hang on to Sancho, who learned his trade at Manchester City, but the Indy says that the prospect of a “bidding war will delight Dortmund as they look to use any fees from the Sancho deal to further fuel their youthful rebuild”.
Pogba: will he stay or go?
The ongoing saga that is Paul Pogba’s Man Utd future rumbles on. The Times reports on its back page that the midfielder “wants talks with Real Madrid”. While The Sun, with its headline “Pog’s dinner”, claims that the Frenchman is “tearing apart” the Old Trafford dressing room.
Barca line up £100m Rashford move
The Sun also reports that Barcelona are keen on United striker Marcus Rashford. The paper says that the Spaniards are confident of signing the England international for £100m this summer.
Bailly on the cheap
Metro claims that Arsenal have made Eric Bailly their top target this summer as Unai Emery looks to bring some steel to his hapless defence.
Apparently the Gunners gaffer believes he can snap up the defender for a “cut-price fee” because he has not won over United boss Solskjaer.
The 25-year-old Ivorian centre-back has not made an appearance for nearly two months and Metro says Arsenal “intend to open negotiations at £20m”.
Premier League fixtures and TV guide
Friday 26 April
Liverpool vs. Huddersfield Town (8pm, live on Sky Sports)
Saturday 27 April (3pm unless stated)
Tottenham Hotspur vs. West Ham United (12.30pm, live on Sky Sports)
Crystal Palace vs. Everton
Fulham vs. Cardiff City
Southampton vs. AFC Bournemouth
Watford vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
Brighton and Hove Albion vs. Newcastle United (5.30pm, live on BT Sport)
Sunday 28 April
Leicester City vs. Arsenal (12pm, live on Sky Sports)
Burnley vs. Manchester City (2.05pm, live on Sky Sports)
Manchester United vs. Chelsea (4.30pm, live on Sky Sports)
Explore More
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 Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
