Lukaku for Ronaldo?
He may have been missing from Belgium’s 1-0 win against England last night but Romelu Lukaku could soon be seen in Madrid, reports the Daily Star.
According to the newspaper, Real Madrid are prepared to offer Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United in return for the 25-year-old Belgian ace, who was rested from yesterday’s final World Cup group G game.
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Spanish media is saying that Real believe that both Ronaldo and Karim Benzema are past their best and that the club is looking to lure Lukaku from Old Trafford.
As well as handing over 33-year-old Ronaldo in exchange, “Real are ready to offer United £44m”, the Star says.
Spurs quoted ‘silly prices’ for Martial
Tottenham have been told in no uncertain terms that if they want to prise Anthony Martial from United then they will have to pay “silly prices” for the 22-year-old Frenchman.
As the Manchester Evening News (MEN) notes, it’s no secret that Martial wants out of Old Trafford, but United chiefs are reportedly playing hardball over the young ace and have “quoted Tottenham ‘silly prices’ for a player they signed for an initial £36m in 2015”.
Martial’s valuation rose to £44.4m last year “after his 25th United goal against Burnley triggered an additional £8.4m payment” - and the club have since elevated the asking price even higher, to at least £56m, says the newspaper. That looks likely to be out of Tottenham’s range.
Alderweireld deal still on?
Relations between United and Spurs have cooled in recent weeks after the two clubs failed to reach an agreement in talks over Toby Alderweireld. MEN reports that United “opened negotiations with Tottenham in May with the intention of concluding a £55m deal for the 29-year-old but Spurs are holding out for considerably more”.
However, there is a glimmer of hope that the clubs will still be able to thrash out a deal that sees Martial head to White Hart Lane while Belgian blocker Alderweireld packs his bags for Old Trafford.
The fact that United continue to circle Chelsea winger Willian suggests that Jose Mourinho is preparing for life after Martial next season.