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.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
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.
-
Should you add your child to your credit card?The Explainer You can make them an authorized user on your account in order to help them build credit
-
Cracker Barrel crackup: How the culture wars are upending corporate brandingIn the Spotlight Is it 'woke' to leave nostalgia behind?
-
'It's hard to discern what it actually means'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
How do new stadiums affect football clubs?In the Spotlight Everton's decision to move its men's team out of Goodison Park could be a catalyst for vital change, but there are cautionary tales too
-
Liverpool's Anfield redemption: how did they do it?Talking Point Arne Slot's blueprint and standout player performances guide the Reds to record 20th league title
-
Where are all the English football managers?Talking Point Eddie Howe's Carabao Cup success underlines absence of homegrown coaching talent in the Premier League
-
New Trafford: can it fix Manchester United's footballing problems?Talking Point Plan for £2 billion stadium despite staff job losses and lack of success on the pitch
-
The cult of Cristiano Ronaldo at 40Talking Point Highest-paid football player in the world still has epic goals in his sights
-
Denis Law obituary: fond farewell to 'the King of the Stretford End'In the Spotlight Scottish footballer who was one of Manchester United's 'Holy Trinity' has died aged 84
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten HagTalking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
