United after Under
Manchester United are hoping to hijack Arsenal’s transfer of Roma’s highly rated winger Cengiz Under, according to reports.
The Daily Express says that caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been given the go-ahead to make some January purchases - and has identified the Roma star as a target.
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The 21-year-old has been linked with Arsenal, Tottenham and Bayern Munich in recent weeks, with Roma demanding around €50m (£45m) for the Turkish ace.
But the Gunners are likely to struggle to meet that price at the moment, leaving United ready to swoop.
Confidence in Koulibaly
United are “confident” they can persuade Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly to move to Old Trafford this summer, following the “racist abuse he’s received” in Italy, reports the Daily Star.
United are willing to provide an escape route for the 27-year-old Senegal star, who has been receiving messages of encouragement from Paul Pogba.
The centre-back was targeted by racists at Inter Milan on Boxing Day, and the Star says the abuse “left Koulibaly devastated”.
Staying in Naples
However, Napoli boss Carlo Ancelotti disputes the reports of a potential move for Koulibaly, says Goal.com. The former Chelsea chief said: “Koulibaly is happy in Naples, he’s upset like others, but it will not be a trigger for a goodbye. He never showed it, he wants to stay in Naples and in Italy, a country he likes very much.”
You still Mata
Meanwhile, Solskjaer has told Juan Mata that “he wants him to stay”, even though the Spanish playmaker is out of contract at the end of the campaign, reports the Daily Mirror.
Now in his sixth season at Old Trafford, Mata has started three of Solskjaer’s six matches in charge, and the Norwegian is believed to be keen to keep him.
Solskjaer has held one-on-one talks with the 30-year-old and clarified his position, with official negotiations for a new deal set to begin this week, according to the newspaper.
Farewell Fellaini?
Mata may have the confidence of Solskjaer, but the same can’t be said of Marouane Fellaini, says the Daily Star. The paper claims that the big Belgian midfielder will be sold this month if a club comes in with an offer that meets United’s £15m estimation.
The 31-year-old was a favourite under Jose Mourinho, but reportedly “does not fit into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s plans”.
Premier League fixtures
Saturday 19 January (3pm unless stated)
- Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Leicester City (12.30, live on Sky Sports)
- AFC Bournemouth vs. West Ham United
- Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace
- Manchester United vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
- Newcastle United vs. Cardiff City
- Southampton vs. Everton
- Watford vs. Burnley
- Arsenal vs. Chelsea (5.30pm, live on BT Sport)
Sunday 20 January
- Huddersfield Town vs. Manchester City (1.30pm, live on Sky Sports)
- Fulham vs. Tottenham Hotspur (4pm, live on Sky Sports)
