8am Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Red Devils ‘confident of agreeing Jadon Sancho deal’, Jack Grealish ‘heart set’ on move – The Sun
MANCHESTER UNITED sealed third in the Premier League after a sensational run-in during Project Restart.
Off the field, the Red Devils are looking to bolster their squad to help Ole Gunnar Solskjaer close the gap on Man City and Liverpool.
We have the latest on the Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish transfer sagas.
Follow all the latest United transfer gossip and news below…
FOUR!
Man Utd have identified four centre-backs they could sign this summer, according to reports.
The Times cite Kalidou Koulibaly, Milan Skriniar, Jan Vertonghen and Pau Torres as the defenders on the club's radar.
Koulibaly, 29, has been linked with a move to the Premier League from Napoli for some time, as has Inter Milan's 25-year-old Skriniar.
Vertonghen, 33, is available on a free after leaving Tottenham, while 23-year-old Pau Torres has a £45.5m release clause at Villarreal.
MORNING MAN UTD FANS
United are reportedly refusing to meet Dortmund’s £110million asking price for Jadon Sancho.
The Red Devils had an £89m offer rejected for the 20-year-old England international earlier this week, with the Bundesliga side holding out for £21m more – a figure that far exceeds United’s valuation.
And The Telegraph report the Premier League club will refuse to pay that much but remain confident that an agreement will be reached.
In other news, United have reportedly reignited their interest in Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants the 25-year-old to team up with Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes in the midfield.
According to FootMercato, the Red Devils are plotting a summer swoop for the Serbian.
Meanwhile, Michael Owen has stated that Jack Grealish has his “heart set” on a move to Old Trafford.
He said: “I think he’s after Manchester United as well. I’m told he has his heart set on Manchester United. I’d be surprised if he went anywhere else.
“People compare him to James Maddison and others like that but I think he’s head and shoulders above him.”
And finally, SunSport have exclusively revealed that Sheffield United are plotting to bring back Aaron Ramsdale to fill the void left by Dean Henderson.
Henderson is due to return to parent club Manchester United where he will hope to dislodge David De Gea after two excellent seasons on loan at Bramall Lane.
Chris Wilder is eyeing a move for Blades old-boy Ramsdale as a replacement following his relegation to the Championship with Bournemouth.
I LET MY GARD DOWN
Jesse Lingard says he “lost who I was as a player and person” in a searing assessment of his troubled season for Manchester United.
Having played just twice as sub post lockdown, the England midfielder admitted in an Instagram post that fans have been “frustrated”.
But the 27-year-old insists he will graft his way back to the top – after ending the season with his first Premier League goal since December 2018.
That 98th-minute finish in Sunday's 2-0 win at Leicester was in fact his first goal or assist of the whole top-flight campaign as United secured third spot.
And Lingard told his social media followers: “This season has been difficult for so many reasons. I lost who I was as a player and person, but I never wanted to give up.
“I knew who I really was on and off the pitch and knew that having been there before I could get there again. This meant working harder than I’d ever done before and trusting in those around me that they knew how to best help me achieve that.
“I know the fans have been frustrated but in all this time my love for this club and everyone connected to it has never left me. This team, this club is my family and I will continue to keep working harder than ever to help this team achieve its goals.”
HEND OF THE BRIDGE?
Dean Henderson is reportedly stalling on a new Manchester United contract amid interest from Chelsea.
The Mirror claims Frank Lampard is ready to pounce for the £55million-rated Sheffield United loanee, who is seeking assurances on his Red Devils future from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
It’s reckoned Henderson, 23, is wanted back at Old Trafford next season following some poor performances from David De Gea.
United are said to be offering a new and improved contract as they look to secure the England hopeful’s long-term future.
However, Henderson wants confirmation that he will be the club’s No 1 next term, whereas Solskjaer still sees De Gea as his go-to goalie.
So that could open the door for Chelsea, who are looking to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga.
BLADES OF GLORY
EXCLUSIVE – Sheffield United are plotting to bring back Aaron Ramsdale to fill the void left by Dean Henderson.
Henderson is due to return to parent club Manchester United where he will hope to dislodge David De Gea after two excellent seasons on loan at Bramall Lane.
Chris Wilder is eyeing a move for Blades old-boy Ramsdale as a replacement following his relegation to the Championship with Bournemouth.
Wilder sold Ramsdale to the Cherries three years ago for around £1million.
But after establishing himself as Eddie Howe's No1 this term, United would expect to pay around fifteen times that to re-sign the Stoke-on-Trent lad.
Ramsdale, 22, was one of the shining lights in Bournemouth’s dismal season.
THE SPECIAL WAN
CLOUD NINE
Nine Premier League clubs including Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool tried to stop Manchester City overturning their European ban.
City were slapped with a ban from all Uefa European competitions for two seasons after “serious breaches” of Financial Fair Play in February.
Pep Guardiola's side were also hit with a £27million fine.
But the Court of Arbitration for Sport controversially overturned the ban earlier this month.
CAS also reduced the fine to £9m after City's appeal and today released a 92-page document with full details from the case.
Within the pages CAS revealed the reasons behind their decision which split opinion.
And one was that almost half the teams in the Prem had written to them to oppose City asking for a “stay of execution” on their ban.
Burnley, Leicester, Newcastle, Spurs and Wolves were the other sides to come forward.
The statement read: “On March 9 2020, nine Premier League clubs filed an application for intervention…for the limited purpose of opposing any possible application by MCFC to request for a stay of execution of the Appealed Decision.”
BUTT OF ALRIGHT
Former Manchester United star Nicky Butt still can’t sell his Cheshire mansion after more than a year on the market – despite slashing £1.5 million off the asking price.
Butt put his house up for sale in April 2019 following his split from wife Shelley Barlow.
The 39-cap England international was arrested that month on suspicion of assault when police were called to the marital home.
However the case was dropped as Shelley chose not to give evidence in court.
He instead accepted a caution for criminal damage.
It is thought that Butt has moved into a flat nearby, and Shelley and their two children have been living in the mansion.
The 45-year-old reportedly first listed the six-bedroom pad for £7m.
However the midfielder – who now works for Manchester United as a coach – has been forced to slash the asking price to £5.5m.
SEA ME ROLLIN'
Odion Ighalo toasted to his successful first season at Manchester United on a luxury yacht holiday as he enjoyed a week off.
The Nigerian set sail with music playing in the background as he enjoys some downtime before the resumption of the Europa League.
The striker joined Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side on loan in January and has proved a massive success, especially in the FA Cup and Europe
And he cruised along in a black T-shirt bearing the word “King” in footage posted on Instagram.
Ighalo could be heard singing along to his tunes while wearing shades and a bucket hat.
One clip was captioned with the phrase: “Drinking water and minding my business.
“Jollof on the boat.”
SEASON'S GREETINGS
West Ham have become the first club to announce season ticket holders will enter a ballot for every game before knowing if they can watch the team in action.
SunSport revealed last week how Premier League clubs were looking to stage lotteries on a regular basis to determine who would be allowed into grounds when fans are finally allowed back into stadiums.
The government hopes to give the green light to people to watch sporting events from October 1, but at hugely reduced capacities to allow for social distancing measures to be enforced.
The Hammers are the first top flight team to reveal details how it would all work after publishing their season ticket policy for the new campaign.
Season tickets will be sold as per usual, but for every game staged at the London Stadium a ballot will be held to decide who gets to be there in person.
Those who miss out will be given a cash refund for the value of that game which would be paid within 30 days of it being played.
JESS MESSING
Jesse Lingard joked former player Cristiano Ronaldo has never given the Red Devils any trouble since leaving Old Trafford.
Lingard first met the Portuguese superstar as one of the United kids involved in a skills DVD with Ronaldo over 15 years ago.
The England star recalls filming with the Juventus ace who joined Sir Alex Ferguson's side in 2003 from Sporting Lisbon.
Lingard was asked which footballer's achievements compared to Michael Jordan's and told Sky Sports: “I have to say Cristiano Ronaldo, everything he has achieved in his career.
“He has been at plenty of clubs and won many trophies. I believe he is a real icon of football, the Michael Jordan of football. When [Ronaldo] first came to Manchester United, I was 11 or 12.
“We did a skills DVD and it was him teaching us skills which was good. That was the first time I had seen him. He was young and skinny when he came [to the club]. I have played against him a few times.
“Did he give me trouble? No, he wasn't too bad, to be fair! There was one game in pre-season where he came on and you could see the skills and the qualities that he brought.”
OB MAN OUT
Jan Oblak will remain at Atletico Madrid despite interest from Manchester United and Chelsea, Enrique Cerezo has maintained.
The Atletico club president believes his No1 is the “best in the world” and a deal will not be discussed with either side.
SunSport reported on United's interest in the Slovenian last week amid David De Gea's struggles in goal.
However it is Chelsea who are more desperate for a new shot-stopper with Kepa Arrizabalaga expected to be replaced in the summer market.
But Cerezo is adamant that Oblak will remain at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano.
The Atleti chief told Marca: “For me, Oblak, and I speak as a fan, is the best goalkeeper in the world. [Thibaut] Courtois is another great goalkeeper and, fortunately, both have worn our badge and with both we won many trophies.
“I always say that Oblak has a contract with Atletico and is the best goalkeeper in the world. It is not strange that he has offers from great teams other than Atletico.”
BRUNO BACKS LINGARD
Bruno Fernandes says Jesse Lingard's stoppage-time goal in the 2-0 win at Leicester was deserved payback on all his critics this season.
It was England midfielder Lingard's only goal or assist this term amid inconsistent form.
But January buy Fernandes, who scored eight goals in 14 Prem matches, told MUTV: “Of course it's a mistake from the keeper also but if Jesse doesn't go there the goal doesn't come so it's for this we work.
“For me Jesse deserved this goal because for what he works all week, for all the comments everyone is saying about him and other players because they don't play too much or they don't play good enough.
“I think this is the reason Jesse scored because we're training hard, training hard to help all the team.”
MAN (UTD) ABOUT TOWN
Manchester United are officially the most-popular football team on the planet.
After a DECADE-long study of Google trends, Footy.com have confirmed the Red Devils are the top-followed club on Earth.
AL BE STAYING
Inter Milan are close to extending ex-Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez’s loan deal from Manchester United for next season, according to reports.
Gazzetta dello Sport report Inter CEO Beppe Marotta is “on the verge” of closing out a deal to see the Chilean spend next year in Milan.
A deal for next season is reportedly close to being finalised but Inter are also keen to reach an agreement for an extension to cover the end of the current European campaign.
The existing deal with the Red Devils flop ends on August 5.
But Inter do not restart their Europa League campaign against Getafe until that very day, so an extension is necessary if he is to feature.
However, the Italian side faced some initial opposition from Old Trafford chiefs who rejected an extension with United still in the same competition.
OW, GREALLY?!
Jack Grealish has his “heart set” on a move to Manchester United, according to former Red Devils striker Michael Owen.
He said: “I think he’s after Manchester United as well.
“I’m told he has his heart set on Manchester United. I’d be surprised if he went anywhere else.
“People compare him to James Maddison and others like that but I think he’s head and shoulders above him.”
CAUGHT NAP-ING
Manchester United have been dealt a transfer blow with Arkadiusz Milik reportedly agreeing to team up with Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus.
The Napoli striker, 26, was linked with a move to Old Trafford to provide another option up front for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Naples club, who are seventh in the league but beat Juventus in the Coppa Italia final, are reportedly willing to accept offers of £45million for their frontman.
And Juventus have seemingly beaten off the competition and are closing in on Milik, one of their primary transfer targets.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, a deal between the player and the Old Lady is in place.
However, Juventus are yet to finalise anything with their Serie A rivals just yet – with Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis determined not to sell to the champions.
RUN OF THE MIL
Manchester United have reportedly reignited their interest in Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants the 25-year-old to team up with Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes in the midfield.
According to FootMercato, the Red Devils are plotting a summer swoop for the Serbian.
United will face competition from the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham, Juventus and Real Madrid.
Paris-Saint Germain are also interested, but their first bid of £54million was rejected.
Last season Lazio demanded a fee in the region of £90m for the Serbia international but it is believed that £63m will be enough to secure his signature this summer.
OLE GUNNAR'S BLAZING
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told Manchester United’s board: Let’s go for it.
The ambitious Red Devils boss is convinced they can make a run at the title next season.
And after qualifying for the Champions League, he knows they have a better chance of getting the best players to help them do that, too.
Solskjaer had given executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward his wishlist based on Champions League qualification, which they secured with a 2-0 win at Leicester on the final day to finish third.
Solskjaer said: “The club know what I feel we need and we will try and pursue it and see where we end up.
“The Champions League means better opposition for this team next year, bigger games, and we need to step it up because every week in the Champions League you have to play your best team.”
FAMOUS FIVE
Chelsea star Willian has FIVE offers on the table, his agent has revealed.
The Brazilian's contract at Stamford Bridge is set to expire after Saturday's FA Cup final.
And amid links with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, the 31-year-old's representative Kia Joorabchian has revealed that there are so far five offers to choose from – including two from the Premier League.
He told talkSPORT: “I don’t think he’s done a U-turn or any kind of turn, he’s always been very much the same mode.
“We had big offers – one from MLS which required him to move on July 1 – but he’s always wanted to finish the season at Chelsea and the day after the season has finished he would decide.
“He has two concrete offers from Premier League clubs on the table, an offer from an MLS club, and two other offers from Europe. He is going to make his decision after the last game of the season.”
BIG COU
Philippe Coutinho wants a returns to the Premier League, according to his agent.
Kia Joorabchian confirmed the news that the former Liverpool star is eyeing up a return to England.
He told TalkSPORT: “It’s no secret he wants to come back to the Premier League.
“It’s still very much open. There is a lot of genuine interest.”
The Brazilian was previously linked with Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal.
RED RESISTANCE
Manchester United are proud of their defensive record this season and tweeted their 22.4million followers to let them know.
NUMBER RON
Brazilian legend Pele has hailed Cristiano Ronaldo as ‘the modern athlete’ for his incredible worth ethic.
The Portuguese five-time Ballon d’Or winner won his second Serie A title in just two seasons since joining Italian giants Juventus.
The 35-year-old extended his tally to 31 league goals during the Old Lady’s 2-0 win over Sampdoria that confirmed top spot.
And Ronaldo came in for particular praise from Pele, who has previously named the ex-Real Madrid superstar as the best in the world.
View this post on Instagram
O @cristiano é o atleta moderno, que mostra para todos que o sucesso sempre chega para quem é dedicado e ama o que faz. Ao lado dele, quero homenagear os incríveis jogadores @douglascosta, @alxsndro12 e @daniluiz2. Parabéns pelo campeonato italiano, @juventus! ⠀ ⠀ //⠀ ⠀ @Cristiano is the modern athlete, who shows everyone that success always comes to those who are dedicated and love what they do. Also, I would like to congratulate my fellow Brazilians @douglascosta, @alxsndro12 and @daniluiz2. Great work winning the @seriea title, @juventus.
A post shared byPelé (@pele) on
NAN-BELIEVABLE
Man Utd posted a memorable throwback of Nani's excellent goal against Arsenal at Old Trafford.
UNITED WE SAND
Manchester United are reportedly refusing to meet Dortmund’s £110million asking price for Jadon Sancho.
The Red Devils had an £89m offer rejected for the 20-year-old England international yesterday.
The Bundesliga side are holding out for £21m more – a figure that far exceeds United’s valuation.
And The Telegraph report the Premier League club will refuse to pay that much but remain confident that an agreement will be reached.
Dortmund return to pre-season training on August 10 and hope to have Sancho’s situation sorted by then.
However, United “will not be forced into meeting some arbitrary deadline” by the German outfit.
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