The race for Romagnoli
Manchester United and Chelsea are set for a summer showdown over AC Milan captain Alessio Romagnoli.
The Sun claims that the two Premier League clubs are tailing the 24-year-old Italian defender, who comes with a £60m price tag.
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Also interested in the no-nonsense centre back are Serie A champions Juventus. The Italian outlet Calciomercato reports that they will pull out all the stops to land Romagnoli.
Ban a barrier for Blues
Chelsea’s hopes of signing the defender received a setback with their two-window transfer ban – though the club are cautiously optimistic it will be postponed until next year – while United are rumoured to be preparing a major overhaul of their back four in the summer.
Apparently the Red Devils have baulked at the £90m asking price Napoli want for Kalidou Koulibaly and see former Roma defender Romagnoli as a much better option.
De Gea to depart?
United are “struggling to tie David de Gea down to a new contract” because of the antics of his agent Jorge Mendes, according to the Daily Express.
The club are desperate for Spanish goalkeeper De Gea to commit his long-term future to Old Trafford. They recently extended his current deal by 12 months to the end of next season but want a greater commitment.
The Express says that United are becoming increasingly concerned by the behaviour of De Gea’s agent because he holds “all the bargaining power”.
In particular, Mendes is asking for a considerable pay hike for his client, to put him on a par with the £400,000 earned each week by Alexis Sanchez.
With Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain “monitoring his situation”, De Gea is in a strong position to stand his ground and wait for United to meet his demands.
Schmeichel and Oblak on target list
As to who United might bring in to replace De Gea in the event he does leave, the Express claims that the Red Devils have drawn up a list of potential targets. Top of that list are Leicester City keeper Kasper Schmeichel and Atletico Madrid gloveman Jan Oblak.
Ole’s advice
Finally, Metro says that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has advised Andreas Pereira “to stay at the club” and fight for his first-term future.
The 23-year-old midfielder, who has made just 12 appearances for the Red Devils this season, is out of contract in June. There are rumours he could be tempted back to Spain, where he’s enjoyed loan spells at Valencia and Granada in recent seasons.
But Metro claims Solskjaer prevented Pereira from leaving United in the January transfer window and is now in talks with the Brazilian over his future.
Apparently he has told Pereira he “admires” him and believes his interests would be best served by penning a new deal.
Premier League results and fixtures
Results: Tuesday 26 February
- Cardiff City 0 Everton 3
- Huddersfield Town 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
- Leicester City 2 Brighton & Hove Albion 1
- Newcastle United 2 Burnley 0
Fixtures: Wednesday 27 February
- Arsenal vs. AFC Bournemouth (7.45pm)
- Southampton vs. Fulham (7.45pm)
- Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur (8pm, live on BT Sport 1)
- Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United (8pm)
- Liverpool vs. Watford (8pm)
- Manchester City vs. West Ham United (8pm)
