6am Man Utd news LIVE: Ronaldo and Bale transfers were ’99 percent complete’, Pogba to Real, Gomes contract EXCLUSIVE – The Sun
OLD TRAFFORD chiefs are preparing for a busy summer on and off the pitch.
With the Premier League pencilled to return on June 12, Man Utd are also looking forward to the transfer window where their No1 targets are reportedly Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish.
Follow all the latest updates from Old Trafford below…
GOOD MORNING, RED DEVILS FANS
SunSport can exclusively reveal that Manchester United have made a last-ditch attempt to keep Angel Gomes at the club this summer.
The youngster’s contract expires at the end of the season and he is attracting interest from numerous teams including Chelsea.
However, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is desperate to keep him and has offered a new long-term contract doubling his salary.
Meanwhile, United could be set for a jolly time in the transfer market this summer with Real Madrid reportedly looking to shift long-term targets Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez.
The two high-earners look to be joined by three others out of the Bernabeu exit as Zinedine Zidane looks to raise funds and clear space in his squad for new arrivals.
There’s further good news for United too, with Real said to be lining up a move for Rennes’ Eduardo Camavinga instead of Paul Pogba.
However, Solskjaer favourite Erling Haaland is also on Zidane’s radar just months after snubbing Utd for Borussia Dortmund.
Finally, the Red Devils could be joined by Arsenal in the hunt for Jack Grealish.
Aston Villa’s main man has been in brilliant form this season and is understood to be high on Solskjaer’s wish list.
But Kevin Campbell is now urging Mikel Arteta to dump Mesut Ozil and replace him with Grealish, which could drive up the midfielder’s asking price.
RED-IN-THE-FACE DEVIL
Gary Neville has become increasingly influential in English football – never before has he enjoyed such leverage in the game.
Yet although his views are being sought from all corners, there is a fear his voice is becoming a little too loud.
READ THE REST OF CHARLIE WYETT’S COMMENT HERE
GREALY GOOD
Kevin Campbell has urged Arsenal to sell Mesut Ozil and join Manchester United in the transfer race for Jack Grealish.
Campbell told the Metro: “Arsenal need an all-rounder in midfield,
“Arsenal need someone in the middle of the pitch who not only can create, he can break the play up, but he’s got legs, we miss that. We’ve been a strong spine for years.
“There was talk of should we go for Jack Grealish or James Maddison, these type of guys would improve Arsenal.
“No disrespect to Mesut Ozil, but Ozil is on the wrong side of his Arsenal career with a year left on his contract after this.
“But we need someone who’s going to be in there with legs, we need creativity, and someone that when the games not going particularly well, he can get stuck in and knuckle down as well.
“We’re being shown up by the likes of Sheffield United, Chris Wilder who has done a fantastic job there, they haven’t got the quality that Arsenal have but they’re above us in the league. Why?
“Because they’ve got a system and they fight, grab and battle, and they’ve got some quality there as well. If we can’t match these teams, we don’t deserve to be up there.”
PREM START FEARS
Doctors from all 20 Premier League clubs have told football chiefs the proposed season restart is NOT safe in a 100-point letter.
Medics put together a long letter to PL medical advisor Mark Gillett and director of football Richard Garlick listing 100 questions and potential problems.
According to The Athletic, the letter – split into ten different sections – revealed multiple Covid-19 concerns they believe have not yet been addressed.
The concerns, according to the report include:
- “Approving guidelines that still carry risk of death.”
- “Liability, insurance and testing for players, staff and their families.”
- “Possible transmission via sweat and goalkeeper gloves.”
- “Suspicions that some clubs are already ignoring guidelines.”
- “Increased risk for black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) groups.”
- “Ability of emergency services to attend training ground incidents.”
EXCLUSIVE BY DAN CUTTS
Man Utd have made a last-ditch £30,000-a-week offer to Angel Gomes to sign a new deal before he quits for free this summer.
The 19-year-old is out-of-contract on July 1 and a number of Premier League clubs are eyeing a swift move including Chelsea.
United are desperate to stop that happening, and have put forward hefty terms to stop one of their prize young assets from quitting.
It is understood the fresh terms are around £30,000-a-week PLUS additional bonuses for appearances, goals and trophies won.
The deal's structure would be similar to the one recently handed to Tahith Chong, who put pen to paper on a long-term contract.
Gomes is already believed to be on a staggering £17,000-a-week, despite making just five first-team appearances.
TWICE AS NICE FOR RICE
West Ham should DOUBLE Declan Rice's wages in order to keep him out of Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal’s clutches, according to Hammers legend Tony Cottee.
Cottee told the We Are West Ham podcast: “There's only two ways to keep Declan at our football club.
“That is to win a cup or to play in Europe. They are the only two ways to keep a young talented player like Declan at the club for the next two or three years.
“The problem is, your career goes so quickly and Dec needs to see the club making progress, he doesn't want to be fighting a relegation battle every year.
“West Ham need to have a good cup run and be in the top ten.
“And the one other thing the club can do at this moment in time to protect Declan and to protect the club is to give him a new contract.”
REAL DEALS
Real Madrid are set for a mass exodus with reported Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal targets Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez on their way out this summer.
According to Marca, the Bernabeu hierarchy have given strict orders for the club to sell before they buy due to the financial uncertainty surrounding the killer virus.
Bale and Rodriguez are just two of five big-earners set to be axed by Zinedine Zidane.
It’s reckoned Paul Pogba, Eduardo Camavinga and Erling Haaland are all on his shopping list.
PAT DOWN
Man Utd legend Patrice Evra says he received death threats from 'Liverpool fans in prison' following the Luis Suarez racism row in 2011.
Speaking on an official Manchester United podcast, Evra said: “Manchester United received so many threatening letters about me.
“People said ‘We’re in jail, we’re Liverpool fans. When we get out, we’re going to kill you and your family’.
“For two months, I had security everywhere I went. They were sleeping in front of my house. Everywhere I went, the security followed me.
“It was a tough time, but I wasn’t scared. My family were scared: my wife and brother, but I wasn’t.
“I couldn’t understand why people hated me so much. They didn’t know the truth.”
RONNY'S BACK
Cristiano Ronaldo has left Madeira to return to Italy with his family after nearly two months on his native island.
The 35-year-old was chauffeur-driven to the airport named after him so he could board his Gulfstream G200 Galaxy on Monday evening with his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez and four children.
The £20million plane departed just after 6pm local time and landed in Turin later on Monday evening.
Cristiano is expected to have to self-isolate for 14 days on club orders before resuming training with the rest of the Juventus squad ahead of a possible return to Serie A football
Weekend reports claimed his return plans were being frustrated by Spanish airspace problems.
But his private jet landed on Sunday in Madeira to take luggage and three staff including a bodyguard to Italy before returning on Monday evening to the island.
'ON TARGET
Odion Ighalo has been given tips to improve for Manchester United, even in games where he HAS scored.
The Nigrian said: “During games… there was even a game I scored in, and he said ‘You should have scored more if you do this or do that’.
“I thought about it and I know if I would have done what Ole said, I would have scored more. He says: ‘You’re a striker, take the chance’.
“So I’ve learnt a lot from him, in terms of positioning and how to do one or two things in a game.
“As a striker, it’s good when a striker is coaching you,” Ighalo added. “And, as a striker, you benefit even more than the defenders.
“He is someone who has scored goals for a long time and has done a lot for United, so it’s good to learn from him.”
YOU'RE ALL LIONS
The England men's team have made a “significant donation” to the NHS, using match fees dating back to September 2018.
The move, which was instigated and orchestrated by the squad, comes in conjunction with the playerstogether movement involving Premier League players and will go towards the NHS Charities Together.
A players' fund already exists to support a selection of good causes, with a portion now steered directly towards the under pressure health service during the coronavirus pandemic.
A statement released on the official England Twitter feed read: “Following positive discussions with The FA, the England senior men's squad are pleased to confirm that a significant donation from their international match fees will be made to NHS Charities Together via the playerstogether initiative.
“This contribution will be taken from a fund already set aside to support a variety of worthy causes using all match fees collated since September 2018. We are also grateful to The FA for committing their support to the playerstogether initiative for the foreseeable future by helping to raise awareness and funds to assist throughout the fight against COVID-19 and beyond.
“This is in addition to the senior women's squad's commitment to playerstogether as we stand united as England players behind the nation during this crisis and our collective prayers and thoughts remain with all those affected.”
SHORT SHRIFT
PFA chief Gordon Taylor has revealed Premier League matches may not be the full 90 minutes if and when the 2019-20 season resumes from the coronavirus lockdown.
The remainder of the English top flight looks likely to be played behind closed doors and in neutral stadiums across the country this summer.
But here is how the table would look if the season had taken Taylor's bizarre suggestion and played only 80 minutes per match.
CAN'T. STOP. WATCHING.
It doesn't matter that this was 11 years ago, it's such a banger.
FORS OF NATURE
United have been “fending off interest” from Arsenal for highly-rated youngster Omari Forson.
The midfielder, 15, was drafted in from Tottenham’s academy, while he also worked with the West Ham academy.
According to the Mail, the Red Devils have “moved quickly” to tie him down to professional terms, which kicks in on his 16th birthday.
Forson plays alongside another highly-rated youngster in Hannibal Mejbri.
The Gunners have been closely monitoring Forson, an England Under-16 international.
Forson plays either attacking midfield or on the wing, playing seven Under-18 Premier League games this term.
SPORTING IN BRUNO DISPUTE
Bruno Fernandes has been dragged into a transfer probe involvinghis two former clubs.
Sampdoria and Sporting Lisbon have complained to Fifa over claims they are owed £4million after his January switch to Old Trafford, which cost United an initial £46.6m, rising to a potential £55m.
According to A Bola the clubs are in litigation with Fifa being kept abreast.
The situation should neither affect United, who have paid Sporting a fair whack up front, nor the player.
GREAL DEAL
Manchester United could sign Jack Grealish for as little as £50m, reports the Manchester Evening News' Samuel Luckhurst.
He stated that Grealish is almost certain to leave in the summer transfer window and United are so keen on him that they attempted to set up a deal in February.
Luckhurst adds that Grealish is seen as a cheaper option than James Maddison and will cost just £50m if Aston Villa are relegated, while Maddison's value is around £80m.
UNITED'S REAL DEALS: CRISTIANO
One of the greatest players of all time developed from a scrawny skilful teenager into one of the world's best talents under the stewardship of Sir Alex Ferguson in Manchester.
Such was his ability during his six years at Old Trafford that after bagging 118 goals and 69 assists from 292 games in all competitions, the Spanish giants paid a then world record £80million for his services in July 2009.
But Ronaldo did not stop there.
Unlike many who wilt under the gaze of the expectant Bernabeu crowd, the Portuguese icon cemented himself as one of the best to ever play the game.
He smashed heaps of records on his way to 16 titles, including four Champions Leagues landing an almost unbelievable 450 goals and 131 assists from 438 games for Los Blancos.
UNITED’S REAL DEALS: BECKHAM
Becks slotted perfectly into Florentino Perez's Galacticos when Real pounced to land the superstar amid his tumultuous relationship with Fergie.
The Spaniards shelled out around £33m for the England ace in July 2003 and he enjoyed a successful spell in Spain scoring 20 goals and providing 51 assists from 159 games before heading off to the MLS.
Beckham won LaLiga just once and despite his free transfer to LA Galaxy in 2007 stunning the football world, the Englishman is still held in high regard at the Bernabeu.
UNITED’S REAL DEALS: DI MARIA
Unlike most high profile names who have played for both clubs, the Argentine winger played for Los Blancos first.
The 32-year-old, who is now at Paris Saint-Germain, fell out of favour at Real and United swooped for around £70m in August 2014.
Having scored 36 and assisted 85 from his 190 Madrid games, there was high hopes for Di Maria at Old Trafford but just four goals and 12 assists from 32 games later, he left for France in the summer of 2015 for around £55m.
UNITED’S REAL DEALS: VAN NISTELROOY
The Dutchman made the switch from United to Real fairly late in his career after etching himself into the hearts of the United faithful since his 2001 transfer from PSV.
After winning the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup in Manchester, his 150 goals from 219 games saw him secure a move to Madrid in July 2006, age 30.
He hit the ground running in his first season under Fabio Capello before injury hit the following year which eventually led to his departure for Hamburg.
But his 64 goals in 96 Real games made his short spell in Spain a successful one.
UNITED'S REAL DEALS: CHICHARITO
The perennial super sub.
Hernandez made a name for himself at Old Trafford by coming off the bench to score big goals which is exactly what he continued to do at the Bernabeu after he was loaned there for the 2014/15 season.
He featured 33 times for the Spaniards that season scoring nine and assisting the same amount but was eventually offloaded on a permanent transfer to Bayer Leverkusen when he returned to Manchester.
His 59 goals from 157 appearances at Old Trafford – most of those from the bench – mean he is still loved at United as could be seen by the reception he received during his recent games against them with West Ham.
UNITED'S REAL DEALS
Real Madrid are desperate to land Paul Pogba from Manchester United this summer.
The Frenchman clearly wants away and if he does depart Old Trafford for the Bernabeu, he would not be the first Red Devil to walk that well-trodden path.
Let’s look at some of the others…
GABRIEL HEINZE
The maverick Argentine joined Real from United in 2007 and helped them claim their second LaLiga title in a row in the 2007-08 campaign.
Having moved to Old Trafford from PSG in July 2004, the left-back managed 83 games and is often underrated by football fans despite winning the 2006-07 Prem with the Red Devils.
He went on to play 60 times for Madrid before a 2009 switch to Marseille.
WINNING MINDSET
Rio Ferdinand has revealed how Cristiano Ronaldo still worries about what people think about him despite his reputation.
The vain Juventus superstar has cemented his place as one of the world's greatest ever players.
Former Manchester United team-mate Ferdinand told The Beautiful Game podcast: “We knew he was talented but his mentality was different. An elite mind. I thought 'wow'.
“Now, I talk to him sometimes and I can't tell you any of the things he complains about.
“He's gotten to the top but he's still concerned about what people say about him and not having all the recognition he thinks he should have. But that is what makes him so different.”
NOT A CROSS WORD
Scott McTominay has been engaging in a naughty bit of trickery in his back garden, with a back-flick crossbar challenge.
Luckily he caught the evidence on CCTV.
FERGIE'S RON & BALE SWOOP
Patrice Evra has revealed Sir Alex Ferguson was “99 per cent sure” of signing re-Cristiano Ronaldo, joined by Gareth Bale, before he retired in 2013.
The news will confirm to United fans quite how much Fergie's shock retirement turned the club upside down.
The Frenchman said: “I remember there was a lot of media saying Ferguson will maybe retire next year, and he said, 'Patrice, I will never retire. I will be here another 10 years’.
“He then said: 'My target is I'm 99 per cent sure we will have Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
“I just need these two players to win the Champions League again. Ninety-nine per cent.’
“And to be fair, when I speak with Cristiano, I ask him and he said yes to the boss, and was coming to join United. He told me this.”
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