Saul Niguez ‘determined to leave Atletico’, Sancho ‘can sign for £81.5m’, Trippier wants Man Utd transfer EXCLUSIVE

HIGHWAY TO VAL

Ex-Manchester United striker James Wilson has signed for Port Vale.

The forward spent last season at League Two Salford City – who are owned by the Class of ‘92.

Wilson, 25, found the net seven times for the Ammies but he was released after they missed out on promotion.

Now he will be hoping to go one better by firing Port Vale into the third tier over the coming 12 months.

The Valiants confirmed his arrival earlier today, announcing the ace had penned a two-year contract.

WAYNE’S WORLD

Wayne and Coleen Rooney managed to get away on holiday just before Covid restrictions tightened – joined by a string of former team-mates and their wives. 

The Rooneys were pictured smiling during a sunshine break in Portugal where the pair holidayed with three of Wayne’s old pals.

Among those was Leicester star Jonny Evans – club-mate of Jamie Vardy whose wife Rebekah is locked in a Wag war with Coleen. 

Coleen flew out last week with husband Wayne, 35, days before the country was moved back on to the amber list by the UK Government.

The pair were later joined by Evans and his wife Helen McConnell, ex-Manchester United star Ashley Young and partner Nicky Pike, as well as Tom Cleverley and wife Georgina.

OOH FRIENDS

THAT’S SAUL FOLKS

Atletico Madrid have reportedly offered Saul Niguez in exchange for Manchester City ace Bernardo Silva in a blow to Manchester United.

The Red Devils have long targeted the Spanish midfielder.

But Atletico’s desire to sign Silva could send Saul to United’s rivals.

According to The Times, Atletico are willing to send club stalwart Saul in a direct swap for City star Silva – in a move that could benefit both clubs in terms of Financial Fair Play.

And the transfer could also work out well for both players

Saul, 26, has been a key man for Simeone over the years, playing 337 times for his boyhood club.

LIONS READY TO ROAR

Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling are set to ‘explode’ into life for England at this summer’s European Championship, according to Roy Keane.

He said: “Sometimes you look at players who have had a quiet spell; quiet because they’ve set such high standards.

“Rashford and Sterling, for example.

“But I think that is a good thing. You’re going into the tournament going ‘these lads are ready to explode’.

“Gareth [Southgate] definitely likes Rashford and Sterling.”

LOVE CRUZ

Simply irresistible…

Melanie Da Cruz, 30, is the gorgeous wife of Manchester United and France forward Anthony Martial.

The blonde bombshell made her name on French TV and has been dating the Red Devils star since 2016.

However, their romance began in controversial circumstances when Martial dumped his then girlfriend Samantha Jacquelinet in 2016 and soon shacked up with Da Cruz.

In 2018, they welcomed their first child together – a boy called Swan.

However, just months after Da Cruz gave birth Martial was alleged to have cheated on her with a French model.

Click HERE for more.

PAUL OF DUTY

What a goal this was from Paul Pogba against Fulham earlier in the season.

JUMP ON JACK

Man City want to sign Aston Villa star Jack Grealish this summer, according to reports.

Pep Guardiola is eager to strengthen his side, following their Champions League final disappointment.

Finding a new striker to replace Sergio Aguero is key to City’s agenda.

But securing Grealish’s signature is of ‘equal’ importance, according to ESPN.

They also claim that Guardiola is insistent that City must pounce on Grealish ahead of rivals Manchester United, should Villa be willing to do business.

The Midlanders are believed to value their captain at around £100million.

City have been ‘encouraged’ that a deal could be done by Villa’s £33m acquisition of Norwich’s fellow creator Emi Buendia.

HOLA JADON

Jadon Sancho is interested in a move to LaLiga, according to reports.

The Borussia Dortmund winger, 21, looks on course to leave the German club this summer.

Manchester United are desperate to land the star, especially now Dortmund have lowered their asking price to £80million.

But according to The Times, Sancho wants to try his luck in Spain.

Barcelona and Real Madrid are the traditional big hitters of LaLiga, although Atletico Madrid did win the league this season.

The Nou Camp or Bernabeu would be the more likely options for the winger.

CHRIS OF LIFE

Former Manchester United defender Chris Smalling and his wife are convinced they spotted a UFO in Jamaica.

Smalling’s partner Sam revealed their experience on Instagram that started: “‘Ok so I promise we weren’t on magic mushrooms or anything but me and @smalling saw the craziest UFO last night!

“Not like a quick few seconds sighting of something high in the sky that could have enough a plane!

“It flew down low past us and then turned and shot back high up in the sky where it stayed for an hour (maybe longer but we had to leave) it was too small to get on film when it stayed stationed in the sky although Chris could see it rotating with lights flashing all around it, (I could only see the outer lights at this point as my eyes aren’t as good).

“We could have got it on camera when it was flying by us as it was clear to see but we were both too gobsmacked to get our cameras out.

“Plus we didn’t want to look away and miss whatever it was. It looked massive. It didn’t look like your typical ufo sightings. It was totally silent.”

ROO MOON RISING

Wayne Rooney will make his playing comeback in the 2021 edition of Soccer Aid.

The popular charity match is set to take place on Saturday, September 4 in front of what could be a full house at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium.

The Derby manager, 35, was part of the England coaching team in last year’s match as fans raised a record £9.3million for Unicef.

And he will feature alongside Manchester United alumni Paul Scholes and Gary Neville plus Jamie Redknapp, Fara Williams, David James, Ashley Cole, Kelly Smith and Emile Heskey for the home team.

Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt is signed up to the World XI side with Roberto Carlos and Patrice Evra.

Rooney said: “Pulling on an England shirt is always special, so I’m absolutely delighted to be doing that again in Soccer Aid for Unicef this September.”

THE REAL DON

Man Utd midfielder Donny van de Beek has been ruled out of Euro 2020 through injury.

The Dutch international’s injury caps off a difficult season where he has struggled first starts under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

A statement from the Holland National team said: “Donny van de Beek misses EURO 2020. Van de Beek has to let the European Championship pass by.

“The midfielder is struggling with an injury. As a result, he is not available in time for EURO 2020.

“Frank de Boer will not call a replacement for Van de Beek. Get well soon, Donny!”

BOO ARE YA?

Rio Ferdinand has slammed fans who boo England players taking the knee as ‘ignorant’.

A number of supporters at the Three Lions’ Euro 2020 warm-up friendlies jeered the pre-game gesture.

Ferdinand told his YouTube channel: “These fans, these ignorant people going to these games, they haven’t got a clue.

“They don’t know what the players are kneeling for. It’s not a political stance.

“All these people saying, ‘BLM is a political movement’ – [the knee] is nothing to do with [BLM]. So take that out of your mind.”

CRIS OF DEATH

Manchester United have failed in their £39m bid to land Cristian Romero, reports say.

Italian club Atalanta are holding out for £52m for the Argentine defender.

Tuttosport in Italy claim that Romero, 23, is not ‘indispensable’ to the Serie A side and they could look to sell.

The report also adds that negotiations aren’t currently active but United are lining up a bid.

The Italian side are reportedly planning to make Romero’s from Juventus permanent for £21.5m before cashing in on his services.

They could then look to sell Romero for £39m and make a huge profit.

And the Red Devils are said to be leading the race for the Argentina international’s signature.

POG-BANG!

A strike definitely worth reliving, Man United fans!

Here is your goal of thew day.

JUVE GOT CHOICES

Cristiano Ronaldo’s representatives have reportedly contacted Manchester United, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain over a potential summer switch.

The 36-year-old is continuing discussions with his club Juventus and has just a year left on his deal there.

But according to ESPN his team are ‘continuing to gauge interest from some of Europe’s top clubs’.

Ronaldo scored 36 goals in 44 games in all competitions for Juve last season, but the Italian giants finished 13 points behind champs Inter Milan.

They only guaranteed a Champions League spot on the final game of the season with a 4-1 win away at Bologna.

And while the Old Lady did win the Coppa Italia, it is expected new boss Massimiliano Allegri will switch up his squad this summer.

ESPN adds that Ronaldo’s team have spoken to Allegri, but that no decision on his future will be made until after Euro 2020 where he captains Portugal.

PRICE IS WHITE

Manchester United and Arsenal have been warned Ben White will cost £50million, according to reports.

The Brighton defender, 23, enjoyed a fine debut Premier League season this term.

And he was rewarded for his form by replacing the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold in England’s final 26-man squad for Euro 2020.

Brighton are unsurprisingly desperate to keep hold of the Three Lions star beyond this summer.

And to do so, the Daily Mail say the Seagulls have slapped a £50m price tag on the Dorset-born defender.

United continue their hunt for a long-term partner for Harry Maguire with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer keen to cement a solid defensive pairing this summer.

And Arsenal have lost David Luiz so may well be on the hunt for a new centre-back – but cannot offer European football next term.

Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool, Roma, Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund have all also been linked with White.

GOOD MORNING RED DEVILS FANS

Manchester United are rumoured to be getting closer to signing Jadon Sancho, with reports suggesting the German club will now accept £80million for the England winger.

They are also believed to be keen on signing Atletico Madrid star Kieran Trippier, although Arsenal’s alleged interest could scupper a potential deal for the right-back.

And the Red Devils have been linked with England U16 captain Josh Feeney from Fleetwood Town, with Aston Villa also said to be monitoring the youngster.

United and England fans alike will be delighted to see Harry Maguire running again in training, yet he remains a doubt for the Euros opener against Croatia.

One United player who is more confident about playing this summer is Paul Pogba, who believes France are in with a great chance of winning the tournament.

Pogba told Eurosport: “We have a PlayStation team but it will remain a PlayStation team if we don’t win a trophy.

“Being world champions and having a team like that, we will be expected to do even more.

“We must remain humble. I want to give this message: it’s not a foregone conclusion. We hear a lot of talk but we keep our feet on the ground.”

XCLUSIVE – KEN LAWRENCE

Daniel Levy will demand a cash-only deal for star striker Harry Kane.

The Tottenham chairman wants at least £150million for his England captain – if he is prepared to let him leave at all, that is.

But he is definitely not interested in ‘cast-offs’ as part of a player-exchange deal for the 27-year-old.

EXCLUSIVE – TEDDY SHERINGHAM INTERVIEW

When we think of Euro ’96, several beautiful images come to mind – Gazza’s goal, Pearce’s ­penalty and all of the win against Holland.

But two unpleasant images pop up too – one being a heartbroken Gareth Southgate after his penalty miss in the semi-final against Germany.

And, from a month or so before that, the photos of the infamous night out in Hong Kong.

Teddy Sheringham, his clothes inexplicably in shreds, was one of many faces staring out of our front pages along with a spirit-soaked Gazza, obviously enjoying an almighty pre-tournament bender.

Click here to read Adrian Chiles’ interview with United legend Teddy Sheringham

GOOD STINT FOR ETHAN

Ethan Laird has been discussing his future following his recent loan spell at MK Dons.

The 19-year-old defender made 24 League One appearances for the Buckinghamshire side after making the move in January.

Speaking about his future to the club’s media team, Laird said: “Who knows, I can’t really give you a set answer on my future just yet, but I know that my long-term aim is to establish myself with United.

“Let’s just see what happens in the summer.”

WHEN ROONEY RULED EUROPE

It’s been SEVENTEEN years since Wayne Rooney took international football by storm at Euro 2004.

The then 18-year-old scored four goals and got England fans dreaming of glory with some superb performances – persuading Alex Ferguson to sign him for United.

Injury in the quarter-final against Portugal ended his nation’s chances – but most still remember it as Rooney’s finest summer in an England shirt.

ICYMI – CAPTAIN RASHFORD

Marcus Rashford captained England for the first time today in their Euro 2020 warm up match against Romania.

And the 23-year-old marked the occasion with a second-half goal from the penalty spot.

He is the 11th player to be granted the honour by Gareth Southgate.

Captain Harry Kane was rested for Sunday’s match, allowing Rashford to don the armband in his 41st England cap.

Luke Shaw also featured in the match as did transfer target Jadon Sancho, but Harry Maguire was absent once more.

BEST OF SANCHO

Manchester United are reportedly closing in on signing Jadon Sancho.

He scored twice in Borussia Dortmund’s German Cup final triumph against RB Leipzig – confirming his quality on one of football’s biggest stages.

Here’s what United fans can expect to see him produce at Old Trafford IF the deal goes through…

MAY BE DISAPPOINTED

Ex-Manchester United star David May is dissapointed Marcus Rashford has gone to the Euros.

The England star reportedly needs surgery after the tournament but May would have liked the player to get the problem sorted sooner rather than later.

He told United’s debate show: “Me, personally, I would have loved him not to have gone to the Euros.

“But I know as a footballer – as a player – you want to be in those tournaments.”