Man Utd transfer news: Mateo Kovacic, Dries Mertens, Yerry Mina
United’s hopes of landing Real Madrid midfielder Kovacic could depend on the future of fellow Croatian Luka Modric
Kovacic to Old Trafford?
Do Manchester United’s hopes of landing Real Madrid star Mateo Kovacic rest on the future of Luka Modric?
Rumours suggest the former Tottenham playmaker Modric is a target for Inter Milan and could join Cristiano Ronaldo in Italy. If he does that might mean a change of plan for Kovacic.
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.
The 24-year-old Croat didn’t get much game time at Madrid last season, and he made plain his disquiet at warming the Bernabeu bench.
Behind Modric, Casemiro and Toni Kroos in the pecking order, Kovacic, who joined Real in 2015, was widely expected to move on this summer having made just ten starts in La Liga last season.
Chelsea are also known to be interested in the midfielder, reports The Sun, but Jose Mourinho is reportedly ready to table a £54m bid for Kovacic, a member of the Croatia squad that reached last month’s World Cup final.
But Modric moving to Inter could scupper United’s plan, with Kovacic then likely to remain at the club for at least another season to see if he can become a first-team regular under new Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui.
Napoli swap
Might United be able to strike a deal with Napoli before the transfer window closes next week? According to the Daily Star the Red Devils “are considering a late summer swoop for Napoli star Dries Mertens”.
Reports suggest that Napoli may be “willing” to let the 31-year-old go, and although Italian outlet TMW says the Belgian could be Mourinho’s if “an offer in excess of £35m came in”, there may be an alternative.
Calciomercato.com reports that Sky Italia claim Napoli are “looking to sign” a defender in the coming days and it’s a choice between United’s Matteo Darmian and Tottenham right-back Serge Aurier.
Ivorian Aurier’s problem concerns his non-EU player restriction, so Darmian is looking the likeliest option and that would fit nicely with Mourinho’s wish to sign Mertens.
Closing in on Mina
Finally, Metro is one of several newspapers to report that United are close to sealing the deal for Barcelona defender Yerry Mina.
The paper states that the club’s transfer negotiator, Matt Judge, has “touched down in Spain to iron out a £35m move”. Barca are ready to offload their Colombian central defender, and have told Judge that they will drop their initial asking price of £44m in order to clinch the deal.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'This needs to be a bigger deal'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
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
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
By Jamie Timson Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
feature After another year without a trophy, Spurs are now searching for a new manager
By The Week Staff Published