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…
OLE’S MESSAGE
Take a look at what Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had to say in his press conference!
BIG MONEY SIGNINGS
Lots and lots of money has been spent!
SAN THE MAN
Liverpool are reconsidering a move for Borussia Dortmund and England forward Jadon Sancho, according to reports.
The 21-year-old has scored 16 goals and provided a further 18 assists in 36 games for the German side this season.
And his supreme form has caught the eye of Premier League sides Manchester United and Chelsea.
But after passing up any interest in him last season, Bild reporter Christian Faulkner has revealed that Liverpool are now back in the running for the talented youngster.
He said: “That is indeed, true, Liverpool are looking at Sancho again.
“He is on the list, especially because they don’t know what will happen with [Mohamed] Salah, who is always a bit on the move and thinking about a transfer.
“Chelsea are also very interested, as we have reported, and also Spain lures him again and again.
“If Salah were to be sold or he says he doesn’t want to be at the club any more then there would surely be movement on Sancho with Liverpool.”
Man Utd were heavily linked with Sancho throughout last summer as Dormund set an asking price of more than £100million.
But it is thought that the Bundesliga side could lower the price to as much as £50m this time around.
WONDERKID
Mason Greenwood has had a fantastic second half to the 2020/21 season.
The 19-year-old has scored 12 goals and provided six assists across all competitions.
MAGUIRE UPDATE
Harry Maguire is positive that he will make the Europa League final.
Maguire is on crutches and is wearing a protective boot after damaging ankle ligaments just over a week ago against Aston Villa.
It left manager Ole Solskjaer fearing the worst ahead of the final against Villarreal in Gdansk a week on Wednesday.
But the latest update has been more positive and Solskjaer says he will give his captain right up until the last minute to prove his fitness.
Solskjaer said: “When I spoke to him this morning he was positive.
“Naturally the day after he was injured everyone was very down.
“But we decided we had to focus and be positive and think he is going to make it.
“He is making progress but we have consciously made the decision not to test him out too early.
“Hopefully we will have good news but I will give it as long as possible because we know his importance.
“We have known that for a long time but maybe people appreciate it more when he is not playing.
“I became a very good player when I was injured because people realised what I could do as a sub and what I was as a player.”
United have conceded six goals in two games since Maguire’s injury losing both to Leicester and Liverpool.
SERIAL WINNERS
Man Utd have made good progression under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and they’ve got the chance to add another Europa League to the trophy cabinet before the end of the season!
MESSI TO MANCHESTER
Lionel Messi’s camp have ‘put feelers out’ to Man Utd and Chelsea over a potential transfer, according to the Daily Express.
Messi could leave Barcelona this summer with his contract running out at the end of June.
Pep Guardiola’s Man City remain keen on the global superstar, with Pep keen to reunite with one of the greatest of all time.
And today could be Messi’s last appearance at the Camp Nou as a Barcelona player against Celta Vigo.
GOAL OF THE SEASON
Does Anthony Martial’s strike against Southampton win Goal of the Season, Man Utd fans?
CUP UPSET
Rio Ferdinand revealed his regret at never winning the FA Cup and admitted: ‘It still grates’.
The Manchester United legend won six Premier League titles, two League Cups and one Champions League during his time at Old Trafford.
But he never once lifted the oldest prize in the book, losing in finals against Arsenal in 2005 and Chelsea in 2007.
In the latter loss Didier Drogba’s extra-time winner meant Ferdinand had to settle for a silver medal, and he still struggles with it.
He said on BT Sport during yesterday’s final: “It still grates, definitely. I’m sitting here looking at it (the trophy) and I want to launch it.
“They were bad moments. I was lucky enough to win quite a lot of stuff in my career.
“But I tell you, I probably spend more time even in retirement thinking about not getting my hands on that trophy.”
VA VA VOOM
Man Utd are holding talks with Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, according to the Manchester Evening News.
But the Red Devils are joined in the pursuit for the World Cup winning defender by rivals Liverpool.
The report states that Man Utd will go ‘all out’ for a centre-back this summer, as they look to close the gap on champions-elect Man City.
And with a year left on his current deal, Real could struggle to command a high transfer fee.
The Frenchman could decide to see next season out and leave for free.
‘IT MIGHT NOT BE POSSIBLE’
Former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips believes that West Ham may not be able to sign Jesse Lingard permanently this summer.
Phillips believes finances will get in the way of Lingard making the permanent move from Manchester to London.
Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “Financially, signing Lingard, it might not be possible.
“It might be hard to sign him even if they do make the Champions League, which isn’t great if you’re a supporter.
“It was another blow for them against Brighton which is a shame because what a story it would be if they got Champions League football.
“Either way, West Ham will look at signing him. Financially, if it’s not viable and it will break the bank, they won’t do it.
“Especially in today’s climate. Champions League does help so it will be interesting to see what happens there.”
MAIN MAN BRUNO
Bruno Fernandes has the most goals and assists for Man Utd in the Premier League!
He has been phenomenal yet again this season.
HAIRAWAY THE LADS!
Newcastle boast the highest number of bald fans in the Premier League — with many blaming the stress of supporting them.
A poll found 49 per cent of followers of the Toon Army have lost their locks — above the national average for men of 39 per cent.
And the average for Premier League fans is 30 per cent.
Researchers at BuzzBingo.com asked 2,000 male Premier League fans if they are bald or balding and asked which club they support.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Man Utd side are in 8th spot with 36 per cent of their supporters sporting a bald look.
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.
CUP UPSET
Rio Ferdinand has revealed his regret at never winning the FA Cup and admitted: ‘It still grates’.
The Manchester United legend won six Premier League titles, two League Cups and one Champions League during his time at Old Trafford.
But he never once lifted the oldest prize in the book, losing in finals against Arsenal in 2005 and most recently to Chelsea in 2007.
That day, Didier Drogba’s extra-time winner meant Ferdinand had to settle for a silver medal, and still struggles to live it down to this day.
He said on BT Sport: “It still grates, definitely. I’m sitting here looking at it (the trophy) and I want to launch it.
“They were bad moments. I was lucky enough to win quite a lot of stuff in my career.
“But I tell you, I probably spend more time even in retirement thinking about not getting my hands on that trophy.”
GOOD MORNING UNITED FANS
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.
Meanwhile, 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.”
And finally, 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.’
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.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk