Premier League transfer news and rumours
Mourinho demands Martial exit
Tensions at Manchester United are continuing to rise with the future of Anthony Martial the focus of the latest saga involving Jose Mourinho.
According to Metro, the United boss is desperate to offload the French striker before the end of the European transfer window, which closes on August 31.
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Martial was expected to leave United in the summer but was included in their pre-season tour of the US, only to fly home early for the birth of his second child. He then took his time before returning to the squad and was fined.
The 22-year-old featured in United’s defeat to Brighton but only because of an injury to Alexis Sanchez. He was hauled off with 30 minutes to play.
“Mourinho is adamant that Martial is not up to the required standard and hopes he is sold to raise cash to spend in January,” says Metro.
“But Mourinho may not get his desired outcome as [chief executive Ed] Woodward still rates Martial highly and is unwilling to sell a player the club have invested so much in.
“The situation has created further friction between Mourinho and Woodward, with the Red Devils boss already unhappy at missing out on a host of transfer targets over the summer.”
Galatasaray want Welbeck
Turkish side Galatasaray are keen on Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck, who has yet to turn out for new manager Unai Emery this season.
The website Football London says that Welbeck had been expected to stay with the Gunners and fight for game time with Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang after Arsenal rejected offers of a loan move during the transfer window.
But the website claims that Welbeck “could still be sold should an acceptable cash offer arrive from a European club later in the month”.
Whether the player is prepared to move is another question. Football London admits that Welbeck is “happy” in London and “doesn’t want to relocate to Turkey”.
Chelsea target stays at Juventus
Miralem Pjanic, a summer target for Chelsea, is close to agreeing a new deal with Juventus that will keep him in Turin until 2023 and could be worth €6.5m a year. The Blues reportedly offered €50m for Pjanic’s services but will no longer be able to reprise their interest in January. (Calciomercato.com)
Liverpool agree Karius loan
As expected, Liverpool have agreed to loan keeper Loris Karius to Besiktas in Turkey.
Karius was left out of the Liverpool squad that faced Crystal Palace on Monday night and is mulling over the deal. Besiktas will pay a £2.25m loan fee to Liverpool and would shell out £7.25m if the deal became permanent. Liverpool paid £4.75m for Karius in the summer of 2016 and will receive 20 per cent of any future fee should Besiktas choose to sell him. (Daily Telegraph)
Man City sign teenage keeper
Manchester City have agreed a €400,000 deal for 16-year-old Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu. The teenager, Rovers’ youngest ever first team player, will remain in Ireland this season and move to the Etihad next summer after completing his school exams. (Irish Independent)
