United target £50m World Cup star Maguire
He was the star of England’s World Cup fairytale, and now Harry Maguire could be set for a huge move to Manchester United.
The former Hull defender joined Leicester City for £17m a year ago, but his stand-out performances in Russia have attracted interest from other clubs and seen his value rocket, reports the Daily Mail.
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The paper predicts that United will “make a huge offer this summer for England’s outstanding World Cup defender”.
It could cost £50m to prise Maguire away from Leicester, but it would be money well spent.
“England manager Gareth Southgate is known to have first selected Maguire because of his mental toughness, so he is tailor-made for the constant big-match pressures at United,” explains the Mail. “Maguire could replace Phil Jones or Chris Smalling in Jose Mourinho’s line-up, as he has done with England.”
Annual Bale bid looms
Manchester United turned down the offer to woo Cristiano Ronaldo when he asked to leave Real Madrid this summer, but manager Jose Mourinho could be tempted to move for Gareth Bale, reports the Daily Express as it dusts down the annual Bale-to-United rumours.
The Portuguese apparently sees Bale as “the missing piece in his attacking jigsaw” and United are “optimistic” that he could be lured away from the Bernabeu.
“United have pursued the player every summer for the last five years but, after Real’s Champions League final win over Liverpool, Bale finally gave them encouragement,” notes the paper.
But even the Express appears to acknowledge that the move is unlikely. “Express Sport understands Chelsea’s Willian has been earmarked as an alternative if he [Bale] chooses to stay put,” it says.
Alderweireld in United talks
Belgium defender Toby Alderweireld could yet become a United player during this transfer window after a breakdown in negotiations with Spurs earlier in the summer.
The Manchester Evening News picks up on reports that suggest “Tottenham are open to selling Manchester United target Toby Alderweireld this summer and the defender is keen to join Jose Mourinho’s side”.
The paper says a “compromise” that could lead to a deal in the next few weeks is on the cards.
“It is thought the player won’t make an announcement about his future until after the World Cup but with the tournament coming to an end at the weekend and Belgium’s last game on Saturday, talks with United are expected to resume in the coming days,” says the paper.
Blind heads towards exit
Dutch defender Daley Blind is expected to seal a move to Ajax within days, although the Dutch club want to drastically reduce United’s £15m valuation, reports the Daily Mail.
The 28-year-old was signed by Louis van Gaal four years ago, but his Old Trafford future looks bleak.
“The versatile Dutchman, who won four Eredivisie titles with Ajax between 2011 and 2014, has seen his stock dwindle over the last season after losing the faith of Jose Mourinho,” says the paper.
“He made just seven Premier League appearances last season and ten more across other competitions. That, combined with his 12-month contract, will be reason enough for Ajax to demand a significantly smaller transfer fee.”
United hope to conclude a deal before they embark on a pre-season tour of the United States on Monday.
