MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly in talks with Raphael Varane ahead of a potential move for the Real Madrid star.
However, the clubs remain apart in their valuation of the defender, with United reportedly offering £40m and Real Madrid wanting £60m.
Meanwhile the German press claim Jadon Sancho is dreaming of a Premier League move.
Get all the latest Man Utd news and transfer updates here…
ED START
Exclusive by Phil Thomas: Edinson Cavani will hit a six-figure jackpot if he is a chart-topper in his second season at Old Trafford.
The Manchester United striker agreed a deal to stay for another 12 months, as Sunsport revealed he had been offered a pay hike to £250,000-a-week.
And the Uruguay forward could earn close to the same again in bonuses if he is in the goals next season.
Cavani, 34, will pick up an extra £100,000 if he is United’s leading scorer – and a similar amount if he ends up as the Premier League’s Golden Boot winner.
It is also understood that United will promise the South American a rolling annual review, which could even see him staying in England for another season beyond the next one.
DOR OPEN
Manchester United are reportedly in ‘pole position’ for signing Jadon Sancho.
Sport1 claim the winger is keen on making a switch to Old Trafford as United ‘will remain’ the club of his choice.
The report adds that talks between the Red Devils and the Borussia Dortmund star’s agent are ‘already underway.’
‘VICHAI WILL BE SMILING’
Man Utd captain Harry Maguire has tweeted his congratulations to Leicester following their FA Cup final triumph.
The Red Devils star spent two years with the Foxes before moving to Old Trafford in 2019.
LOST A BIT OF MAG-IC
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted that Manchester United miss club captain Harry Maguire.
He said: “Harry [Maguire] has been really important for us so of course we’re going to miss him but he’s out so we have to deal with that.
“It’s about regrouping and building our own confidence again as we have two games and a final.
“The attitude was right and the focus was fine, we were ready for it. We didn’t build on the good times.
“We should have gone more for it at the start of the game. Sometimes we let them off the hook and let them play out.
“Tuesday. We need to find ourselves straight away. We need to build that momentum and confidence. We should go into that final ready.”
EDS GONE
Edinson Cavani has launched a scathing double attack on VAR and the failed Super League project.
Uruguay international Cavani hit out in an interview with South American outlet DosDePunta: “When the Super League came around I told myself: ‘That can’t be possible – if it happens, what can we expect next?’
“I don’t share its ideas at all. I am not in agreement with it.
“You mustn’t deprive more modest teams the chance of playing in the Champions League.
“Or stop average clubs from dreaming of competing with the bigger ones, and having a place among the elite.
“You can’t deny fans of these clubs the chance to have this experience.”
MOUR SAINTS
Jose Mourinho wants to take Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin to Italy as part of his Roma revolution, according to reports.
The former Man Utd boss will take over the sleeping Serie A giants in the summer.
It is understood Mourinho, 58, will be given a healthy transfer budget to get the Giallorossi into the Champions League.
And, according to Corriere della Sera, the Portuguese boss has identified the tricky Toon winger as a top target.
CHELSEA 0 LEICESTER 1
Youri Tielemans glorious strike gave Leicester FA Cup final glory at the fifth attempt as Chelsea had a last-minute goal controversially ruled out on VAR.
Tielemans hit a 25-yard top-corner special on 63 minutes – before the video assistant referee adjudged Blues’ sub Ben Chilwell millimetres offside when his cross was deflected home by Foxes’ sub Wes Morgan.
Read SunSport’s match report HERE.
ANT MAN
A timely reminder of the added quality Anthony Martial will add to Manchester United’s front-line when he returns from injury.
A STEP TOO VAR
Manchester United will need to bid £60million to if they want to sign Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, according to reports.
The Red Devils are believed to be interested in the France international but their rumoured £40m bid will not be enough to sign him.
According to Spanish newspaper AS, Real Madrid want €70m – around £60m – for Varane, who is out of contract at the end of next season.
RAF RIDE
Liverpool have reportedly joined Manchester United in the race for Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane.
According to the Manchester Evening News, the Reds have held talks with the Frenchman’s entourage about a move to Anfield in the summer.
Los Blancos could cash in on the defender with the player having just a year left on his contract.
ARAM AND A LEG
Man Utd are interested in signing Getafe midfielder Mauro Arambarri, according to reports.
The Premier League giants are believed to have made contact with the 25-year-old’s representatives over a possible summer move.
According to AS, the Red Devils are one of many big European clubs monitoring the Uruguay international.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, however, are said to be the most keen on a move and have made contact with Arambarri’s people.
The report claims United see him as a player that can complement Bruno Fernandes’ abilities.
And as Arambarri has a rumoured €25million release clause – around £21.5m – he would come relatively cheap in today’s market.
There are even rumours that Getafe would accept as little as £17m for the midfielder.
Mauro Arambarri, 25, is said to be a target for Manchester United GREEN GROCER
Edinson Cavani believes Mason Greenwood can achieve big things in the future.
Speaking of Greenwood, he said: “I believe that as players, when we reach a certain point in the elite level of the game, as we are today, I think that if you set yourself targets, if you really want something, if you focus on something that you really want to achieve for yourself and for your team, you can achieve it.
“You can improve, you can grow as a player, you can be even better.
“It depends on him, as it depends on each one of our forwards.
“They’re all young strikers who have a long career ahead of them, and it will be down to them how they want to improve and blossom as players.”
GOAL OF THE DAY
What a strike this was from Mark Hughes in the European Cup Winners’ Cup final against Barcelona in 1991.
Take a look at his finish below.
ALL ABROAD
Man Utd have boasted some of the finest foreign players to ever grace the Premier League.
The likes of Eric Cantona, Jaap Stam and Cristiano Ronaldo have all cemented their legacy at Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes is undoubtedly the star man for the current crop of Red Devils, managed by another iconic foreign import Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
But just who are the club’s greatest non-British players?
United End editor Tom McDermott has already given his say on the club’s best British XI in the Premier League, and now he’s chosen a star-studded line up made up of foreigners.
Only one player from the current Manchester United side has made the XI ZLAT’S ENOUGH
Former Man Utd striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will NOT be taking part in the delayed Euro 2020 tournament for Sweden in the summer.
The AC Milan ace will miss out due to a knee injury.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano tweeted: “Sweden have decided that Zlatan Ibrahimovic will NOT take part to the Euros.
“After the announcement of the conservative therapy needed by Zlatan to recover after his knee injury, he’ll be OUT of the Euros. Official.”
Sweden boss Janne Andersson told Expressen: “It’s sad but Zlatan is gonna miss the Euros because of his injury.”
MAGUIRE MISSED
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted that his side miss club captain Harry Maguire.
He said: “Harry [Maguire] has been really important for us so of course we’re going to miss him but he’s out so we have to deal with that.
“It’s about regrouping and building our own confidence again as we have two games and a final.
“The attitude was right and the focus was fine, we were ready for it. We didn’t build on the good times.
“We should have gone more for it at the start of the game. Sometimes we let them off the hook and let them play out.
“Tuesday. We need to find ourselves straight away. We need to build that momentum and confidence. We should go into that final ready.”
FREDY, SET, GO
Brazil coach Tite has lifted the lid on why he called Fred back to the national team set-up.
He told ESPN: “It’s because of his performances.
“The high level that he has been showing at United, a team that is runner-up in the Premier League.”
Fred has started 26 top-flight games for the Red Devils this term having forced his way back into the starting XI under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
CAV SOME OF THAT
Edinson Cavani has revealed why he rushed in to protect Mason Greenwood during the youngster’s scuffle with Gianluca Mancini and Rick Karsdorp away at Roma.
He said: “There are times when you’re out there when I believe you need to protect and stand up for one of your team-mates.
“Sometimes because it might be down to a lack of experience on their part, and they might make a mistake. Many times, it is because you believe that a situation that they are involved in during a stand-off just isn’t fair.
“In that incident against Roma, what I felt was that he was arguing face to face with the Roma defender which is something that can happen in football.
“The next minute, a third guy came on the scene and began pushing him when he clearly wasn’t part of the original argument. I told him he should keep out of the incident and that’s why I went to help Mason and offer him some protection.
“I also tried to separate the players so the incident would calm down. We were in a key period of the game and he could have been given a red card.
“I got a yellow card for my trouble, but the main thing was really to protect and defend him and to try to prevent everything escalating further.”
RON HIS WAY?
Cristiano Ronaldo won’t be returning to Sporting Lisbon in the summer, according to his agent Jorge Mendes.
This works as a major boost for Manchester United, who are reportedly keen on a reunion with Ronaldo ahead of the summer transfer window.
The 36-year-old’s mother, Dolores Aveiro, fuelled speculation that Ronaldo could return to Sporting after they won their first Primeira Liga title for the first time in 19 years.
She said: “I’ll talk to him to bring him back. Next year he will play in Alvalade [Sporting’s stadium].”
But agent Mendes poured cold water on that prospect, as he remarked: “Cristiano is proud of the title won by Sporting, in fact, as he has publicly demonstrated.
“But at the moment his career plans do not go through Portugal.”
BIRTHDAY BOY
Man Utd legend Patrice Evra has turned 40 today.
The Frenchman won five Premier League titles during his time with the Red Devils, as well as three League Cups and one Champions League.
He left in 2014 to join Juventus after scoring ten goals in 379 appearances.
JAM FILLING
James Garner is hoping his loan spells at Watford and Nottingham Forest this season will see him be a regular for Man Utd next term.
Speaking to the Red Devils’ official magazine Inside United, he said: “I
’ve been working hard, physically and mentally, and it’s something I’m trying to add into my game
.“Hopefully, when I come back at the end of the season, I’ll sit down with the coaches and see what’s best for me and what’s going to be best for my development. I’ll take it from there really.
“Commenting on his dream of being a regular United starter, he said: “
I think that’s ultimately the dream.
“
I’ve been at the club since seven or eight and the main focus is to be in the first team and do whatever takes to be with the first team.
“Like I’ve said, I’ll just keep working hard, keep my head down and have to see what is going to be best for my development. But, ultimately, my dream is to be with the first-team and play for United.
“
FRED DEVIL
Man Utd midfielder Fred has earned himself a call-up to the Brazilian national team following his fine form.
The 28-year-old has not featured for the Selecao in almost two-and-a-half-years.
His last of his 11 outings came in October 2018 where he played 45 minutes against Saudi Arabia.
Taking to Twitter, Fred expressed his delight at being named in Tite’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay.
He said: “Great joy to represent my country again. Always proud to be summoned. Let’s go again!”
VAR-CICAL
Man Utd are reportedly battling Liverpool for the signing of Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane.
According to the Manchester Evening News, the Reds have held talks with the Frenchman’s entourage about a move to Anfield in the summer.
Los Blancos could cash in on the defender with the player having just a year left on his contract.
Real president Florentino Perez recently fuelled speculation the World Cup winner could depart.
He said: “Varane? I’m happy with our team. But if players don’t want to stay at Madrid they can leave.”
United are determined to sign a centre-half in the upcoming window as Ole Gunnar looks to find a partner for Harry Maguire.
DAY AND NIGHT
RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano has revealed that he nearly joined Premier League giants Man Utd.
But his parents advised him to ‘think carefully’ about the potential move.
Upamencano will link up with Bayern Munich in the summer.
Speaking to The Athletic, the Frenchman said: “I was a young boy. I wanted to sign for them straight away. Manchester United!
“But then my parents took me aside and said: ‘Let’s think carefully about this.
“We thought about it for a long time and then decided that going ‘etape par etape’ [step by step] was the best option for me.
“Everything Ralf [Rangnick] said came true.”
LLOR AND ORDER
Manchester United are reportedly preparing a £68million bid for Atletico Madrid’s Marcos Llorente.
The Red Devils are known to be huge admirers of the 26-year-old, having first targeted the midfielder in January 2020.
Llorente has been instrumental for Diego Simeone’s men this season with Atletico on the brink of winning their first LaLiga title since 2014.
The ex-Real Madrid ace – who won the 2018 Champions League with Los Blancos – has chipped in with 13 goals and 12 assists in 43 games in all competitions this term.
His fine form hasn’t gone unnoticed, and United were reportedly set to turn their interest into a formal offer in March.
And now the Mirror have stated the Europa League finalists are ready to make a £68m bid to secure Llorente’s services.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
