1.30pm Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Milinkovic-Savic £63m fee, Sancho LATEST, Zaha £17.5m potential windfall – The Sun
MANCHESTER UNITED sealed third place in the Premier League and a Champions League spot after a sensational run-in during Project Restart.
Off the field, the Red Devils are looking to bolster their squad with moves for Jadon Sancho and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic mooted while Wilfried Zaha could bring in some very welcome revenue.
Follow all the latest United transfer gossip and news below…
COUNTING THE CASH
Wilfried Zaha fears being priced out of the market by Crystal Palace for a second year running.
The 27-year-old winger has told the club he wants to leave this summer after a disappointing campaign.
And Eagles manager Roy Hodgson is ready to listen to offers for the exciting Ivory Coast international.
But Palace are expected to demand as much as £70MILLION for their star player and Zaha’s representatives worry that will scupper hopes of a move with Arsenal linked.
That could be good news for United, however, with the club set to pocket 25 per cent of the final figure.
Zaha was fuming when he was hit with an astonishing £100m price tag by Palace owner Steve Parish last summer.
NEXT!
It is a sign of the times that Premier League clubs are having to meet virtually to discuss their transfer business.
And on Wednesday that is exactly what decision-makers from top-flight clubs including Manchester United, Liverpool and Spurs came together to do in the first post-pandemic window.
Face-to-face contact has been made at best difficult and at worst impossible due to Covid-19 for industries the world over – and football is no different.
But with squads still requiring surgery everywhere, close to 250 clubs from across the globe got creative yesterday afternoon by attending an online forum set up deal facilitator TransferRoom.
Leeds’ director of football Victor Orta and Brighton technical director Dan Ashworth were among those who logged on as attendees listened to guest speakers tell how loans are set to dominate this summer’s Corona-hit market.
Club representatives then spoke to each other on a one-to-one, quick-fire basis to chat through possible moves. Like online speed-dating, except for football transfers.
SILENCE SPEAKS VOLUMES
Jack Grealish has posted a cryptic tweet that assumingly relates to his future.
The Aston Villa star is making all the headlines having been linked with Manchester United and Arsenal.
But it appears the forward is ready to bury his head in the sand until the talking is over.
AKE-BREAKY HEART
BREAKING: Manchester City have had a £41m bid accepted for Nathan Ake.
The centre-back is set to leave Bournemouth following their relegation to the Championship.
Manchester United had also been linked with a move but it appears their neighbours have stolen a march.
GET GREAL
Arsenal have reportedly joined the race for Jack Grealish after Manchester United cooled their interest.
Sky Sports claim that the Gunners registered an interest in the Aston Villa captain, but did not follow up that enquiry.
The report adds that a number of clubs are willing to pay between £50million and £60m but that is short of the Villain’s asking price.
Dean Smith’s side have made it clear that star man Grealish is not for sale and they would not be tempted to sell for anything under £80m.
SunSport previously revealed that the England ace faces being priced out of a major summer move following Villa’s exorbitant asking price.
TOP GEA
Manchester United keeper David De Gea banked a whopping £3 million last year from his image rights.
The Spain stopper’s image is slightly tarnished at the moment due to some seriously below-par performances.
But the cash is still rolling in thanks to his position as one of the world’s best keepers.
He runs a firm called Bedamarse Limited to take in payments linked to his name – and it’s got cash reserves of £8.8m according to latest figures for 2019 published at Companies House.
That’s up from £5.6 million in 2018.
And he’ll pay the UK tax office £703,448 due to his monster earnings, but that’s less than two weeks’ wages for the star.
JUAN-DERFUL
Paulo Dybala will pledge one per cent of his salary to charity after joining Juan Mata’s “Common Goal”.
The cause invests in organisations using football to empower vulnerable children and young people around the world.
Common Goal has already become one of the fastest growing charities in the world, having been co-founded by ex-Chelsea and current Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata three years ago.
Dybala is the 159th star to team up with the charity.
And he will lead a football-based project using education and youth leadership to help eradicate the effects of violence, racism and discrimination in disadvantaged communities across the globe.
PLANE SAILING
Jadon Sancho hopped on a luxury private jet ahead of returning for a new season with Borussia Dortmund – although Manchester United are reportedly confident of signing the winger.
The England international joined footballer pal Chuba Akpom on the jet, posing for photographs published on the former Arsenal striker’s Instagram.
After Borussia Dortmund’s season came to an end, Sancho, 20, has enjoyed time off in Ibiza while United haggle over his future.
The Red Devils are said by Sky Sports to be increasingly confident of completing a deal.
Moving their interest away from Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish, the club are reportedly alone in chasing Sancho this summer.
No official bid is said to have landed yet, with Dortmund demanding £109million, including £90m up front.
CENTRE STAGE
Manchester United are reportedly eyeing a move for Villarreal star Pau Torres.
The Times claims Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to sign a new centre-back this summer and partner him alongside Harry Maguire.
United have been linked with a host of names including Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake and Lille’s Gabriel Magalhaes.
However, it’s believed Torres has emerged as Solskjaer’s top choce after helping Villarreal to fifth in LaLiga.
The Spain international, 23, made 34 appearances this season and has also been linked with Barcelona.
THE SAN WILL RISE AGAIN
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to give Alexis Sanchez another chance, according to reports.
The Daily Star claim that Solskjaer would welcome the Chilean back into his squad after being impressed with his performances on loan at Inter.
But the report adds that Sanchez is an unpopular figure in the dressing room and sees no point in returning to Old Trafford.
And The Telegraph claim Inter can easily afford whatever transfer fee United request, but his wages would be a sticking point.
Their report claims Sanchez would either have to agree a substantial reduction on his £560,000-a-week salary or United would have to pay him off.
SAFE HENDS
Dean Henderson's Manchester United future will reportedly become clear within a fortnight as contract talks enter a “crucial stage”.
The 23-year-old wants long-term assurances from Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer over his playing time.
England U21 international Henderson has seen his value rocket to £55million after two stunning seasons on loan at Sheffield United.
That has caught the eye of Chelsea, with Frank Lampard hoping to make him their new No 1 goalkeeper.
The Blades would also love to have the stopper back next season.
To thwart off interest, United have been in discussions with Henderson over a new deal that would make him one of the best-paid goalies in Europe.
GOOD MORNING RED DEVILS FANS
Jadon Sancho would reportedly rather move to Liverpool this summer but Manchester United remain confident over agreeing a deal.
German outlet Kicker claims that the England star’s preference would be to line up at Anfield next season because of the greater title chances.
Liverpool have already lost target Timo Werner to Chelsea and are unlikely to stump up the funds needed to land Sancho.
Jurgen Klopp has said that the winger “would look very good” in red but does not expect to sign the Borussia Dortmund ace.
Meanwhile, Man Utd are reportedly eyeing a move for Villarreal star Pau Torres.
The Times claims Torres has emerged as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s top choice after helping Villarreal to fifth in LaLiga.
Finally, Ryan Giggs has claimed Manchester United need THREE first-team quality stars to challenge domestically and in Europe in 2020-21.
He told Premier League Productions: “It’s huge for attracting players. Some players will choose clubs that are in the Champions League.
“And [it helps] in holding on to some players too. It’s just huge. Eventually when we get crowds back, Champions League nights at Old Trafford are special.
“Ole's beginning to mould a team which is exciting. He said that they were running out of legs a little bit.
“After lockdown, he’s played the same team more or less, which he had to because they’re on such a good run – so it was hard to chop and change.
“They need three players I would say that can go into the starting XI, even to challenge for the league and the Champions League next year.”
ZA-ARGHHH
Wilfried Zaha fears being priced out of the market by Crystal Palace for a second year running.
Palace are expected to demand as much as £70MILLION for their star player and Zaha’s representatives worry that will scupper hopes of a move.
It’s believed a number of Premier League teams are interested.
Arsenal tried signing the ex-Man Utd forward last summer.
And Chelsea were linked with him last season under Maurizio Sarri.
ON THE PUL
Former Man Utd scout Jorge Alvial claims he urged the Red Devils to sign Christian Pulisic before Chelsea got their hands on the American.
He told Manchester Evening News: “When I first got hired one of the people that I recommended right away was Pulisic because I knew him and his background.
“I knew how well he was developing in Dortmund and he was just going to keep coming up, and become a superstar because he was doing very well.
“So it was many times that I did recommend him, but at the same time because I was only doing North America, it wasn't my region because he was playing in Germany.
“We all had a list and I had him first along with Alphonso [Davies]. Highly, highly recommended for them to sign him, and I know also the German scout was very into him, he really liked him too.
“It wasn't a case of, 'look at this kid'. It was, 'sign this kid'.”
GARD OF HONOUR
Man Utd will listen to offers for Jesse Lingard this summer.
The Times claims Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is ready to let the winger leave after an underwhelming season.
Lingard bagged his first goal of the campaign on the final day win over Leicester.
But United want to bring in Jadon Sancho and are ready for a clear out.
TICK TOCK
Man Utd must complete a move for Jadon Sancho by August 10.
Bild claims that's the date Borussia Dortmund have set before they close the lid on his transfer saga.
It remains to be seen if United make a fresh bid after having an £89m offer turned down.
IBRA CADABRA
Former Man Utd star and Leeds target Zlatan Ibrahimovic appears to be staying at AC Milan this summer.
He has been snapped posing in their new kit for next season.
And it means Marcelo Bielsa will have to look elsewhere for a new striker after winning promotion to the Premier League.
COUT AND DRY
Brazil legend Rivaldo reckons Arsenal target Philippe Coutinho should return to England this summer.
The Barcelona flop, who was on loan at Bayern Munich, has also been linked with Chelsea and Man Utd.
Rivaldo told Betfair: “Philippe Coutinho will soon return from his loan at Bayern to Barcelona, but I doubt he can revive his career there.
“His best option could be returning to English football where he spent the best seasons of his career and in which his qualities seem to be best suited, as he proved at Liverpool when he was one of the best players in the Premier League.
“At Arsenal, Tottenham or Leicester, Coutinho could be a regular starter next season.
“It would be a good opportunity for the Brazillan to rediscover his best form and show that he continues to be an excellent player who belongs to the elite.”
WELSH WISDOM
Ryan Giggs has claimed Manchester United need THREE first-team quality stars to challenge domestically and in Europe in 2020-21.
He told Premier League Productions: “It’s huge for attracting players. Some players will choose clubs that are in the Champions League.
“And [it helps] in holding on to some players too. It’s just huge. Eventually when we get crowds back, Champions League nights at Old Trafford are special.
“Ole's beginning to mould a team which is exciting. He said that they were running out of legs a little bit.
“After lockdown, he’s played the same team more or less, which he had to because they’re on such a good run – so it was hard to chop and change.
“They need three players I would say that can go into the starting XI, even to challenge for the league and the Champions League next year.”
GARNERING ATTENTION
Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will decide this week on which of his young stars he is willing to loan out next season.
The Mail claims James Garner is one young man on the fringes of the United first-team that is gathering much attention elsewhere.
Sheffield Wednesday and Doncaster Rovers have shown an interest – as well as play-off hopefuls Cardiff City and Swansea City.
Axel Tuanzebe, Daniel James and Tahith Chong are among the other young players that United will have to make decisions on in the coming weeks.
CENTRE STAGE
Man Utd are reportedly eyeing a move for Villarreal star Pau Torres.
The Times claims Torres has emerged as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s top choice after helping Villarreal to fifth in LaLiga.
The Spain international, 23, made 34 appearances this season and has also been linked with Barcelona.
CHRIS CROSS
Manchester United passed up on the chance to sign Christian Pulisic before Chelsea bought the winger, a former scout has claimed.
Jorge Alvial spent two-and-a-half years at Old Trafford after a long stint at Chelsea, where he also recommended a 13-year-old Pulisic.
The American moved to Borussia Dortmund aged just 16 and quickly impressed at the Bundesliga club.
As a long-term admirer of Pulisic, Chilean scout Alvial made him the first recommendation to United when he was hired by the club.
He told Manchester Evening News: “When I first got hired one of the people that I recommended right away was Pulisic because I knew him and his background.
“I knew how well he was developing in Dortmund and he was just going to keep coming up, and become a superstar because he was doing very well.
“So it was many times that I did recommend him, but at the same time because I was only doing North America, it wasn't my region because he was playing in Germany.
“We all had a list and I had him first along with Alphonso [Davies]. Highly, highly recommended for them to sign him, and I know also the German scout was very into him, he really liked him too.
“It wasn't a case of, 'look at this kid'. It was, 'sign this kid'.”
RED HERRING
Jadon Sancho would reportedly rather move to Liverpool this summer but Manchester United remain confident over agreeing a deal.
German outlet Kicker claims that the England star’s preference would be to line up at Anfield next season because of the greater title chances.
Many expect the Reds to enhance their frontline after lifting their first-ever Premier League, with Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri both linked with moves away.
Liverpool have already lost target Timo Werner to Chelsea and are unlikely to stump up the funds needed to land Sancho.
Jurgen Klopp has said that the winger “would look very good” in red but does not expect to sign the Borussia Dortmund ace.
MAN DOWN
Manchester United and Arsenal have seen their values plummet – with Liverpool on the brink of becoming the Premier League's most-valuable club.
The Red Devils have seen their worth drop £143million, while the Gunners have depreciated by £150m.
Meanwhile, Liverpool – the new champions – have seen their value rise by £64m as they close-in on fierce rivals United.
The Reds have risen to fourth in the rankings of the most-valuable clubs in the world, according to the Brand Finance Review.
They marginally trail Man Utd, with Real Madrid and Barcelona the runaway leaders.
Despite still sitting at No1, Los Blancos saw over £200m knocked off their value.
LIN LIMBO
Manchester United are “open” to selling Jesse Lingard this summer, according to reports.
The 27-year-old struggled for game time post-lockdown, featuring just twice from the bench in the Premier League.
But the England international did manage to end his long goal drought on Sunday, netting his first top-flight goal since December 2018 in the 2-0 victory over Leicester City.
And according to The Times, Lingard is hoping to impress potential suitors when United resume their Europa League campaign next week.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is expected to heavily rotate his side for the competition, having already secured Champions League football for next season.
And with just a year remaining on his £100,000-a-week contract, Lingard accepts that he could be one of a number of summer outgoings – with United continuing to be linked with the likes of Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish.
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