Icardi-Lukaku swap deal shunned
Manchester United have knocked back an offer from Inter Milan to swap Romelu Lukaku for Mauro Icardi.
The Daily Express says the Italian outfit have been chasing Lukaku for several weeks, but while the unsettled Belgian striker is eager to make the move, reports suggest United will only let him leave on their terms.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Latest Videos FromThe Week
And those terms don’t include swapping him for controversial Argentine forward Icardi. Although his eye for goal is impressive, Icardi’s attitude is a cause for concern.
As the newspaper adds, “controversy appears to follow him around”, a situation not helped by his wife and agent, Wanda Nara, who “has regularly criticised Inter’s handling of her husband”.
Bid for Ben Yedder
There may also be another reason why United aren’t interested in Icardi. According to the Daily Mirror, the club is considering a “shock swoop” for Sevilla striker Wissam Ben Yedder.
The 28-year-old, capped four times by France, has won the attention of United, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain with his sharpshooting skills.
But neither Barca or PSG can guarantee Ben Yedder regular football next season, leaving United in a strong position to tempt him to Old Trafford.
Lukaku agent in Milan
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appears to be ready to table a £36m bid for French frontman Ben Yedder - and to help fund the deal, he is set to sell Lukaku to Inter for £75m.
The chances of the Belgian leaving Old Trafford are looking ever higher, with his agent, Federico Pastorello, “spotted meeting Inter executives at the club’s offices in Milan on Tuesday afternoon”, reports Goal.com.
Asked if Inter were keen on signing Lukaku, Pastorello replied: “Yes. He’s publicly expressed his plans and desires. We’ll see what happens.”
Gallic gloveman eyed
Another Frenchman being pursued by United is Lille shot-stopper Mike Maignan, voted the top gloveman in Ligue 1 last season.
The 23-year-old enjoyed a stellar season, culminating in his call-up to the French national squad.
The Daily Mail says that while United are still trying to persuade David de Gea to stay, if the Spaniard does leave then Lille’s £30m goalkeeper Maignan is “the one they want”.
Rivals to bid £65m for Maguire
Manchester rivals United and City are prepared to pay £65m for Leicester centre-back Harry Maguire.
Sky Sports News understands that both clubs have been in talks with Leicester for several weeks, although as yet “a deal is no closer to being agreed”.
The England defender is said to be happy at Leicester, and the broadcaster reports that he won’t force a transfer away from the Foxes. However, he is also open to a move to one of the Premier League’s top sides, Sky Sports adds.
Maguire would reportedly prefer joining champions Man City to moving to Man Utd.
