United plot £92m deal for Croatia stars
Manchester United are lining up a £92m swoop for two of Croatia’s World Cup stars, wide midfielder Ivan Perisic and winger Ante Rebic.
According to The Sun, United boss Jose Mourinho is an admirer of both players and wants to bolster his attacking options for the new season.
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The paper says 29-year-old Perisic, who has been with Inter Milan since 2015, has been linked with a £48m move to Old Trafford.
“And now Rebic, 24, who plays for Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany, has made it onto Mourinho's radar, but could cost the club as much as £44m,” it adds.
“United, looking to add to the signings of Fred, Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant this summer, appear keen to add depth out wide with uncertainty over the future of Anthony Martial.”
Bale must decide his future
Another long-term United target is Gareth Bale and he faces a tough decision this summer, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The Welsh star held talks with new Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui this week and has been given assurances over his role in the team. Bale was unhappy about starting the Champions League final on the bench but could take on a leading role after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, Real are likely to bring in at least one marquee signing this summer to challenge Bale, leaving him with two options – stick or twist.
“This is a time of rebuilding at Real,” the paper says, “and be it Neymar and/or Eden Hazard, Bale is sure to find himself up against at least one shiny new star when it comes to commanding a regular place under Lopetegui.
“Does he really believe he will be given the opportunity to succeed Ronaldo as the club’s talisman?
“At the age of 29, he knows this summer could be his last chance to secure a move to United.”
Battle with Chelsea over Serbian ace
Mourinho faces a fight to secure the services of Lazio's Sergej Milinkovic-Savic this summer, reports the Daily Mirror.
“The Serbia midfielder has emerged as one of European football’s hottest properties after a standout season in Serie A last term,” says the paper.
“United are one of a number of sides who have been linked with a potential switch for the goalscoring midfielder.”
However, the paper says new Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri is also keen on the 6ft 4in star.
Whoever does land the 23-year-old will need deep pockets. Lazio are reportedly demanding £130m for his services.
Blind heads for the exit
Daley Blind’s Old Trafford career appears over after United agreed a deal with Dutch club Ajax that could be worth as much as £18.5m.
Blind arrived in Manchester in 2014 with Louis van Gaal and made 141 appearances for United in four seasons, but he fell out of favour with Mourinho and played just seven times in the Premier League last season.
“A deal worth an initial €16m [£14.1m] is understood to have been agreed,” reports the Evening Standard. “Add-ons could see the fee rise to €21m [£18.5m].”
