MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly keeping tabs on Uruguayan international Nicolas De La Cruz.
We’ve also got the very latest on Raphael Varane, with the Red Devils reportedly unable to match his £400k-a-week demands.
And Jadon Sancho has told team-mates in the England camp he’s heading to Old Trafford this summer.
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Stay up to date with every twist from Old Trafford in our live rolling blog…
FOFANA’S A REAL OPTION TO REPLACE VARANE
Leicester centre-back Wesley Fofana has emerged as a target for Real Madrid to replace Raphael Varane should Manchester United sign the Frenchman.
The 20-year-old starred in his debut season in England after joining the Foxes in a £36.5million deal from Saint-Etienne last year.
Fofana featured 38 times under Brendan Rodgers as he helped Leicester finish fifth in the Premier League while also proving instrumental in their FA Cup-winning run.
And according to Fichajes, he could be on his way out of the King Power Stadium with Carlo Ancelotti said to be eyeing a swoop for the youngster.
However they state the potential move depends on whether Los Blancos sell Varane, with the World Cup winner heavily linked with a switch to Old Trafford.
It has been claimed that the four-time Champions League winner, 28, is keen on linking up with the Red Devils.
Varane has just one year left on his contract in Spain and it remains to be seen whether he will follow Sergio Ramos out the door this summer.
UTD ED QUEUE FOR CAMAVINGA
Manchester United have been linked with a move for Rennes wonderkid Eduardo Camavinga.
That is according to the Daily Mail, who claim United will battle Premier League rivals Arsenal for Camavinga.
The Red Devils are closing in on top target Jadon Sancho and are already thinking ahead.
However, the talented French midfielder has also attracted interest from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain
MAKE WAY
England and Manchester United record goalscorer Wayne Rooney has shared some advice for Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Germany.
Rooney wrote in his column at The Times: “After all my championing of Jack Grealish, I wouldn’t play him from the start against Germany.
“‘He was one of England’s better players against the Czech Republic and it is not that my opinion of him has changed. My thinking is entirely down to how the Germans play. Different opponents demand different approaches and Tuesday’s game is tailor-made for Marcus Rashford — but not Jack.
“Germany play three at the back with a high line and what they try to do is almost suffocate you. They pass side to side, get the ball in wide areas, come back and go all the way out to the other flank, then get balls into the penalty area. And when you win it, they want you to play a pass to feet because that means — with their line pushed right up — they can go and press you high up the pitch.
“The more players you have who want to take the ball to feet, the more they can press, so instead of Jack I’d be looking to have runners either side of Harry Kane. My instruction would be to attack the spaces behind their wing backs when they go forward and make runs down the channels to the sides of their centre backs — especially given Mats Hummels’s problems against pace”
CAMAVINGA AGENT REACTS
Rennes ace Eduardo Camavinga’s agent Jonathan Barnett has hinted that the star midfielder could be among his clients set for a big move amid interest from Manchester United and Arsenal.
Barnett told The Athletic: “It is going to be harder. I’m expecting three or four very big deals of my own that will break a lot of records.
“Hopefully, they’ll come about. For the smaller clubs, I think there won’t be as many transfers. We have some very good players.
“We have probably the best young player in the world in Camavinga. We’ve got [Jack] Grealish. We’ve got [Ibrahima] Konate at Leipzig. But then I’ve got over 100 players”
CAMAVINGA SITUATION
Rennes star Eduardo Camavinga’s agent has hinted that his client could be on the move during this summer transfer window.
Camavinga enjoyed a tremendous campaign in Ligue 1 and has thus attracted interest from some of Europe’s top bidders, such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
Reports suggest the star midfielder will be United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s transfer priority after Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho signs with the club.
According to The Athletic, the France international’s representative, Jonathan Barnett, who also represents Luke Shaw and other elite players, has hinted that the 18-year-old could be on the move this summer
CAMAVINGA BOOST
Fabrizio Romano claims Arsenal haven’t made an official bid for Rennes star Eduardo Camavinga.
In fact, there has been absolutely no contact between the player and the Gunners.
That works as a boost for Manchester United, who are set to meet up with the midfielder’s reps next week.
More below:
FERN BELIEF
Portugal manager Fernando Santos has hinted that Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes could return to the starting line-up against Belgium despite his disappointing performances against Germany and Hungary.
Santos said: “We will play according to our principles. We may change some players. Last match, we changed some things but because we felt that thinking of the opponent, but not just that, and about ourselves.
“We wanted to establish our own pattern. I wanted to bring in new blood to the midfield section. Tomorrow, I don’t think that will be an issue because we have had plenty of rest over the past four days.
“Today [Saturday], we have the last training session, we never know what is going to happen. We don’t know if everyone will be fit”
NEVILLE’S BORE-DON
Gary Neville has had enough of the Jadon Sancho transfer saga…
Neville tweeted: “Manchester United closing in on Sancho. Again!
“A transfer should be a joy and a moment of excitement.
“I’ve never been more bored by a transfer in my life to the point I feel like he’s already signed and I want to know who is next already. Not the lads [sic] fault at all I should say!”
WHAT’S NEXT?
England face bitter rivals Germany on Tuesday in Euro 2020’s Last 16.
This encounter brings back plenty of bad memories for the Three Lions, who will look to exorcise the demons of the past against Joachim Low’s men.
If Gareth Southgate’s side emerges victorious then the quarter-finals are next.
And that is where various Manchester United stars and their English team-mates will face either Ukraine or Sweden
CAMAVINGA UPDATE
Manchester United are going to meet with Rennes player Eduardo Camavinga’s reps next week.
That is according to RMC, who claim United are stepping up their interest for Camavinga after an impressive season in Ligue 1.
That poses as a blow for Arsenal, who have also been keeping tabs on the France international who has been hailed as the “new Patrick Vieira”.
Gunners head coach Mikel Arteta is determined to sign a top midfielder to team up with Thomas Partey in the middle of the park
GETTY IMAGES KOUND NOT HAPPEN
Sevilla have reportedly turned down a €45million (£37m) bid for Jules Kounde.
That is according to the Transfer Window Podcast, who claim Kounde is keen on a move this summer.
However, the star centre-back would prefer to join Real Madrid over any other suitor, such as Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is determined to sign a top centre-back in the summer to partner up with Harry Maguire at the back
CAM AND GET HIM
Manchester United have been linked with a move for Rennes wonderkid Eduardo Camavinga.
That is according to the Daily Mail, who claim United will battle Premier League rivals Arsenal for Camavinga.
The Red Devils are closing in on top target Jadon Sancho and are already thinking ahead.
However, the talented French midfielder has also attracted interest from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain
DE-RIBBLE SIGNING
Former Manchester City and Liverpool player Paul Stewart has criticised Donny van de Beek’s debut season at Manchester United.
Stewart told the Transfer Tavern: “Van de Beek has not really proved anything in the Premier League yet, has he?
“I thought when he was coming to United, he was going to be a really great acquisition.
“Normally they come out of Ajax and they’re straight on the scene and they’re great players”
VARANE REPLACEMENT
Manchester United have received a major transfer boost in their bid to sign Real Madrid ace Raphael Varane.
According to Fijaches, Real are preparing for life after Varane, it seems, and have identified Leicester ace Wesley Fofana as a potential replacement.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti was impressed with Fofana during his time in the Premier League while in charge of Everton.
Varane has been linked with a switch to Manchester United and the centre-back is keen on that move
TRANSFER BOOST
Brighton star defender Ben White was linked with Manchester United recently following a string of impressive Premier League performances that led to an England call-up.
United head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is determined to sign a top centre-back to partner up with Harry Maguire at the back.
According to Manchester Evening News, however, the Red Devils were not willing to meet his £50million asking price and are thus focusing their efforts on other defensive targets.
That paves the way for Arsenal to land their man as they are willing to splash the cash for the 23-year-old defender
GETTY IMAGES
VARANE UPDATE
Manchester United could face a potential setback in their bid to sign Real Madrid star Raphael Varane.
That is according to The Independent, who claim Varane’s rumoured £400,000-a-week wage demands are said to be a stumbling block.
The France international, though, is keen to move to Old Trafford in the summer transfer window.
The star defender is among Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s top centre-back targets as he looks for someone to partner up with Harry Maguire in defence
NIC HIM AWAY
Manchester United are reportedly keeping tabs on River Plate star Nicolas De La Cruz.
De La Cruz has 18 months left on his contract and his form has caught the eye of potential suitors.
River Plate appear to be demanding a fee between €16million-€20m (£13.75m-£17m) for the attacking midfielder, according to TNT Sports Argentina.
The Uruguay international has scored once and assisted three goals in 11 league games for River Plate in 2021
FORD TO BE RECKONED WITH
Manchester United ace Marcus Rashford could miss the start of his team’s Premier League season should he decide to have surgery.
Rashford will wait until the end of the Euro 2020 competition to decide whether to undergo an operation on his shoulder.
The England international said: “It’s either an operation or I don’t get an operation.
“I’m not 100 per cent sure if I need it yet, so I’ll just take it as it comes.
“I’ll finish strong here and I’ve got a few weeks off to just relax and decide what I’m going to do”
RAPH RIDE
Manchester United have had a £50million offer rejected for top summer target Raphael Varane.
That is because Real Madrid are holding out for an £80m bid for Varane, who is keen to move to United in the summer.
Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is determined to sign a top centre-back to partner up with Harry Maguire at the back.
The Manchester giants, though, are said to be keeping tabs on other players, such as Villarreal’s Pau Torres and Real Madrid’s departing captain Sergio Ramos
SAN UTD
Borussia Dortmund ace Jadon Sancho has told his England team-mates that he’s ‘heading to Old Trafford’, according to reports.
SunSport revealed earlier this month that Sancho has agreed a five-year, £350,000-a-week deal to join Manchester United.
According to Tom McDermott, Sancho has confirmed to his Three Lions mates that he’s definitely off to United.
He adds that the deal is ‘practically done’ and that issues over add-ons have been ‘ironed out’
GETTY IMAGES MORNING, UNITED FANS
United are closer to signing Jadon Sancho – and a little further from recruiting Raphael Varane.
That’s if you believe the latest speculation over long-term target Sancho and this summer’s defensive transfer priority Varane.
It’s suggested Borussia Dortmund’s England wideman Sancho could complete a move for up to £80million next month, with a five-year contract reportedly already agreed.
But there’s talk France centre-back Varane’s wage demands are a huge stumbling block.
The Real Madrid star is thought to want about £400,000 a week.
Everton are in discussions with Juventus to sign United and Arsenal target Merih Demiral, reports say.
And outgoing Old Trafford keeper Sergio Romero is also being linked with the Toffees, as well as Juve and Celta Vigo.
Finally, Tottenham are keeping tabs on Sevilla’s Jules Kounde, one of the central defenders rated as an alternative United recruit to Varane
And Barcelona legend Samuel Eto’o thinks the Catalans should sign Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos, who has also been rated an option for United and PSG.
JADON ‘NEARING’ UTD DEAL
Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Borussia Dortmund ace Jadon Sancho, reports suggest.
According to Manchester Evening News, sources close to Sancho expect the deal to be completed soon, possibly within the next two weeks.
The winger has agreed personal terms in principle and an up-front fee of €85million (£73m) has been settled on.
Dortmund are trying to to extract up to €15m (£13m) in add-ons to complete the deal.
Negotiations are still ongoing regarding the structure of the payments and the majority of the add-ons have been described as ‘achievable
KERR-CHING! FOXES TO PAY UP FOR SMITH
Leicester are ready to meet the asking price for Dundee United’s teenage defender Kerr Smith.
Boss Brendan Rodgers has moved ahead of Aston Villa, Manchester United and Crystal Palace with an offer for the youngster.
Smith, 16, made his debut late last season, having appeared aged 15 in a friendly in August 2020.
He has a clause that means the club must accept a figure of about £500,000 and now it is down to him to decide if he wants to go.
Dundee United had agreed to sell Smith’s team-mate Lewis Neilson to the Foxes — but the 18-year-old said no.
It follows the Foxes snapping up 16-year-old Liverpool midfielder Jack Lewis.
The youngster impressed on trial at Leicester’s academy towards the end of last season.
It is thought Lewis has agreed a free transfer and a two-year scholarship contract from the new season.
SPURRED ON BY A HIRO
Tottenham have set up a £15million swoop for Bologna’s Japanese star Takehiro Tomiyasu.
The Spurs transfer team are lining up the deal with the Italian outfit ahead of a managerial appointment.
And they are confident of landing the highly-rated defender.
Tomiyasu, 22, has been a regular for the Serie A side since 2019 after first playing in Belgium with Sint-Truiden.
He is desperate to come to the Premier League.
Spurs think Tomiyasu would be a top player for them and improve a defence that often struggled last season.
‘BARCA SHOULD SIGN REAL LEGEND RAMOS’
Barcelona legend Samuel Eto’o thinks the Catalans should sign Sergio Ramos this summer.
The Real Madrid legend was released this month after his contract expired and has been linked to Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United.
But Eto’o, 40, who played for both Spanish giants, is keen for Ramos to do likewise.
As a PSG fan the Cameroonian would also like Ramos to move to Paris, as he believes the Spaniard could help the club to an elusive first Champions League title.
But he also suggested that Barcelona ought to make a move for the 35-year-old.
He told AS: “Hopefully Sergio goes to PSG. If I could sign him for Barca, I would. If he goes to PSG, I will be happy and I know that he will help us win the Champions League, which is proving very difficult for us.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
