CRISTIANO RONALDO has reportedly dropped a bombshell by deciding that he wants to leave Manchester United.
Reports from Spain and Portugal suggest the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is unimpressed with the club’s transfer business and unsure of his role under Erik ten Hag.
Meanwhile, United target Antony has missed training with Ajax as he moves closer to the exit door.
United are also being linked with Inter Milan’s Stefan de Vrij, who could cost between £42m-£53m.
And the Red Devils are set to launch an improved offer for Frenkie de Jong.
A deal is believed to be getting closer with the clubs now said to be around £8.5m apart in the initial fee and £4.25m apart in add-ons.
The Dutchman is said to be flattered by United’s interest and willing to leave Barcelona “if he has to”.
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Mourinho wants Ronaldo reunion
Jose Mourinho is reportedly trying to do everything in his power to sign Cristiano Ronaldo for Roma.
That’s after the striker gave Manchester United an ultimatum over their lack of transfer activity.
Retesport claims Roma are pulling out all the stops in an attempt to land Ronaldo this summer.
The 37-year-old’s future at United has been in doubt since the club missed out on a top four finish.
And it’s reckoned Ronnie has become frustrated with their lack of signings this month.
Van de Beek’s darts affinity
Man United ace Donny van de Beek has been spotted at a darts tournament in the Netherlands.
De Beek spent the latter half of last season at Everton on loan.
And he’s been taking in darts tournament in his homeland ahead of the new season.
Speaking on his affinity with the sport, the Dutch midfielder told dartsnew.com: “I am a fan of darts and always enjoy coming to watch it. Earlier this year I was also at the Premier League in Manchester.
“I always hope that all Dutch players win. I do know some players like Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld and also with some English players I have a chat sometimes.”
Anti-Glazer protest planned
Man United fans are reportedly planning an anti-Glazer protest ahead of new boss Erik ten Hag’s first home game in charge.
The Dutch coach, 52, will lead his side out at Old Trafford in a friendly game against Rayo Vallecano on July 31.
But it is set to be far from a party atmosphere for the manager’s opening match in the dugout at the Theatre of Dreams.
According to Manchester Evening News, supporters are planning to gather a number of hours before kick-off to demonstrate their opposition to the Glazers ownership with a peaceful protest.
Barca to ‘withdraw Dembele offer’
Barcelona are reportedly considering withdrawing Ousmane Dembele’s contract offer.
Dembele will be a free agent next week, and Barca want to keep hold of the winger.
But the Catalan giants may pull the plug on negotiations with Dembele because he’s in contact with other clubs, the report adds.
However, the issue is causing a split at the club as some personnel want Dembele to stay put, the report adds.
Chelsea and Man United are two of the team’s Dembele’s been in talks with recently.
Man United dealt transfer blow
Man United have been dealt a blow in their battle to sign Tyrell Malacia, according to reports.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano claims Lyon are closing in on a £13million deal to sign the Feyenoord left-back.
The final details of the transfer are being discussed with it nearing completion.
Man Utd were believed to be interested in Malacia, 22, who impressed for the Eredivisie side last season.
Arsenal keen on double transfer
Arsenal will reportedly return with improved offers for Raphinha and Lisandro Martinez.
The Gunners will focus on the pair after securing the signature of Gabriel Jesus for £45m, the Express reported.
The Gunners’ initial bids for Leeds ace Raphinha and Ajax star Martinez were rebuffed by their respective sides.
But the Gunners are undeterred by the rejections and will present new offers next week, it was added.
Man United are also on the hunt for Martinez.
Ronaldo splashes millions on Bugatti
Cristiano Ronaldo splurged $10.5million on a limited edition Bugatti – of which only 10 have ever been made.
The Man Utd superstar, 37, ordered the luxury Bugatti Centodieci in 2020, Bild reported last year.
The model is believed to be a tribute to the legendary Bugatti EB110 – Centodieci is Italian for 110.
Bild contacted Bugatti directly and they did not deny that Ronaldo was a buyer, while offering no official comment on the rumour.
Ronaldo starts training early
Cristiano Ronaldo has started pre-season EARLY while on holiday, with the Manchester United star limbering up and taking to the pitch to get some shots off.
The 37-year-old has been enjoying his time off with his family in Majorca.
But it hasn’t stopped him from keeping his fitness in check ahead of a return to Carrington for pre-season with new boss Erik ten Hag.
Ronaldo shared a snap of him limbering up to his 459million Instagram followers.
‘Ten Hag will help Maguire’
But Wes Brown reckons new Man United boss Erik ten Hag will help Maguire get back to his best form next season.
He added: “Now it’s all about how Harry bounces back from the position he finds himself in and I’m sure Ten Hag will want him in his team if the Maguire of 12 months ago is revived.
“I hope Maguire uses this summer to clear his head, come to pre-season with a new mentality and start again.”
Maguire criticism ‘was harsh’
Wes Brown reckons the criticism aimed at Harry Maguire last season was harsh.
He said: “Some of the criticism thrown at Maguire was over the top, but this is how football works these days.
“People get on social media, they start wading into players and momentum builds behind that criticism and Harry has been a victim of that.
“He has been booed by England fans, written off by United supporters on Twitter and it all seems pretty harsh.”
Jones urged to stay away
Isaiah Jones has been urged to stay with Middlesbrough amid interest from several Prem clubs.
Man United, Chelsea, and Tottenham have all been linked with the full-back.
But Carlton Palmer reckons Jones should stay put as he won’t get regular playing time at any of the aforementioned clubs.
He said: “The clubs that he’s been linked with are fantastic football clubs, but he will not be playing and there’s no point going there.
“If the deal can be done, that he goes and then he comes back on loan to Middlesbrough, yeah, then do a deal like that, but he needs he needs to play.”
‘We don’t want Ronaldo’
Bayern Munich director Hasan Salihamidzic has poured cold water on claims that Cristiano Ronaldo was being tracked by the club.
Ronaldo is reportedly keen on quitting United, and Bayern were one of the clubs linked with him.
But Sa has come out to deny those claims.
He told Sky Germany: “Cristiano Ronaldo is a top player with an outstanding career. However, stories on potential deal with Bayern are not true.
Prem clubs in Richarlison boost
Everton have to balance the books in the next five days in what could be a major boost for Chelsea, Man United, and Tottenham’s pursuit of Richarlison, according to reports.
The Toffees ongoing battle with financial fair play (FFP) rules mean the London clubs could be best served by moving early.
The Athletic report that the “bulk” of Everton’s incoming transfer business will have to be done after June 30, which could explain the lack of transfers at Goodison Park so far.
The reason for the deadline is due to FFP, which is calculated until the end of June.
The Merseyside club has been under prolonged pressure over their finances, with rival clubs even attempting to use it against them during last season’s nail-biting relegation battle.
The free-spending start to Farhad Moshiri‘s reign has left the club needing to balance the books.
Race for Marinez heats up
Arsenal are reportedly looking to steal a march on Manchester United in the race to snare Lisandro Martinez away from Ajax.
The 24-year-old is a target for the two Premier League sides as the race hots up to secure the services of the Argentina international.
Mikel Arteta’s side have already had a £25million approach for the centre-back turned down by the Eredivisie champions.
Meanwhile the Red Devils have identified the 2021 Copa America winner as an alternative for his Ajax team-mate Jurrien Timber.
It had been claimed that the Dutchman was set to be reunited with former boss Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford, only for him to snub a switch following talks with Holland gaffer Louis van Gaal.
And if United aren’t fast enough, they could miss out on Martinez’s signature with the Gunners opening new negotiations with his representative.
Roma chase Ronaldo transfer
Roma are reporedly pulling out all the stops to sign Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo is said to be open to quitting United this summer due to the club’s lack of ambition.
And Roma are actively pursuing the Portugal international.
That’s according to Retesport, who claim ex-Roma defender Fabio Petruzzi told them his former club are keen on recruiting Ronaldo.
Ronaldo’s fleet of supercars
Fans got a sneak peek at Cristiano Ronaldo’s incredible garage as Georgina Rodriguez gave a tour of the couple’s mansion.
The Manchester United superstar’s partner took the Netflix cameras around their £5million pad in Madrid for her docuseries I Am Georgina.
And in the garage, he has a whole host of motors – all part of his stunning £17million fleet.
In the brief snippets on the programme, the supercars are shown all parked up perfectly in line in the uber-cool garage.
With classy mood lighting and a glossy floor, it really is a petrol head’s dream.
Beckham reveals moment of redemption
David Beckham reckons his goal against Greece for England vindicated him in the eyes of fans across the country after his red card in World Cup 1998.
Beckham even claims Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea supporters were among the list of forgiving fans.
He said when asked about his favourite goal: “I think it has to be the goal against Greece.
I think that was, possibly, the moment for me where most of the nation forgave me for what I did four years before.
“I think that was probably the moment England fans – whether it West Ham, Tottenham, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool – went, ‘okay, enough is enough’.
“It was a special moment, to play in a game that was so important for our country – at Old Trafford – it has to be the best [goal].”
Hoffenheim speak on Man United target
Hoffenheim’s hierachy have revealed they hope to hold onto defender David Raum amid interest from Man United.
United have been linked with a move for Raum, but both the German club’s manager Andre Breitenreiter and sporting director Alexander Rosen don’t want him to leave.
Although they wouldn’t stand in his way if he chooses to go to a bigger club.
Rosen said: “I would prefer to keep him. At the end of the day, it depends on what the market looks like and what chance the player has.
“If a top club comes and he gets the opportunity, then, of course, we will sit down with him. In the end, it’s always about an exchange based on trust.”
While Breitenreiter admitted: “We have already had contact. He should rest now for the time being. But it’s no secret that I prefer to have him with me.”
Henderson to Forest nears completion
Man United keeper Dean Henderson’s proposed transfer to Nottingham Forest is reportedly close to completion.
Henderson is set to quit United to join Forest.
And the transfer will be wrapped up soon, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Man United target misses training
Man United have received a major boost in their pursuit of Ajax star Anthony.
That’s because winger reportedly missed Ajax’s first pre-season training session, Manchester Evening News reported.
However, the reason behind Anthony’s absence has not yet been revealed.
Haaland views Pogba’s home
Man City’s star signing Erling Haaland eyed an early home win by viewing Man United ace Paul Pogba’s mansion — which has its own indoor football pitch.
The £51.4million hitman shares the same management team as French World Cup winner Pogba, who is quitting the Red Devils.
And one of the first properties the Norwegian, 21, has looked at since agreeing to join the Sky Blues is the £3million pile, which is also available to rent for a whopping £30,000-a-month.
The five-bedroom home in plush Hale Barns, Cheshire, boasts a gym, heated swimming pool and a sauna — but the jewel in the crown is the indoor pitch which flamboyant Pogba dubbed the P.P. Arena.
It has mini goals, an electronic scoreboard, LED lighting and even Pogba’s logo on the centre circle.
Good morning Man Utd fans
Bayern Munich are not interested in signing Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United, according to reports.
Recent reports have suggested Ronaldo is unhappy with the lack of movement in the transfer market from Man United, leading to speculation he could quit the club this summer.
Such speculation included links with Bundesliga Champions Bayern Munich, which would represent a new challenge for the Portuguese superstar.
However, BILD’s Christian Falk has reported such interest is untrue, with Bayern holding no tangible interest in the 37-year-old.
But Christopher Nkunku has revealed he’s pleased to be staying with RB Leipzig amid interest from Prem giants Chelsea and Man United.
He told the club’s media after penning his new deal: “I’m pleased to continue wearing the RB Leipzig shirt.”
To be Frank
Man Utd are struggling to seal a deal for top target Frenkie de Jong despite being interested in the Barcelona star for months.
The Spanish giants are expecting £74million for the midfielder, but the Red Devils have not yet made a suitable offer in that region.
Ajax winger Antony is another name at the top of the transfer shortlist, but the Dutch side reportedly want £69m for his services.
Damned United
Gary Neville says his old club has become a “graveyard” for players.
The Red Devils experienced one of their worst-ever Premier League campaigns last season, finishing with a total of just 58 points.
And while club chiefs are hoping that the introduction of Erik ten Hag will be a catalyst for change, Neville insists more needs to be done behind the scenes.
The former defender has already slammed the Glazer family this week for taking £11million in dividends from the club, despite a huge rise in net debt.
Now he has argued that more money needs to be put into Man Utd so it can become a top club again.
In response to a tweet about Christian Eriksen, who is currently deciding between the Red Devils and Brentford as his next club, Neville wrote: “That’s why Dividends have to stop for a period.
“Every penny has to go back into the club until it becomes attractive again. The club has become a graveyard for players.
“Culturally for owners to take money out of a poorly performing business is demoralising!”
Rab race
Adrien Rabiot wants to leave Juventus to join a Premier League club this summer.
And Chelsea are the outright favourites to clinch his signature ahead of Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City, according to Betfair.
The France international joined Juventus from Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer in July 2019.
He’s since made 129 appearances, scoring six goals and providing six assists in all competitions.
The 27-year-old’s contract expires in June 2023, but reports suggest he doesn’t intend to see out his deal in Turin.
The Telegraph claim Rabiot wants to leave the Serie A heavyweights to join an English club playing Champions League football.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk