MANCHESTER UNITED could perform a SECOND swoop for an Ajax star this week with Antony and Edson Alvarez moves being touted.
Antony remains the higher-priority transfer but Mexico star Alvarez is also on United’s radar – along with Chelsea’s and Barcelona’s.
SunSport revealed overnight that United are close to landing a £40million deal for the Amsterdam-club’s winger Antony.
Meanwhile, traffic police in Majorca have launched an investigation after Cristiano Ronaldo’s £1.7m Bugatti Veyron crashed into a wall on the island.
It did not seem to matter a jot to the world’s most-famous athlete though, as he danced for his niece’s TikTok.
And the Red Devils have reportedly made a formal approach to sign Christian Eriksen on a free transfer.
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Red Devils struggling to offload Martial and Bailly
EXCLUSIVE: Manchester United are having a nightmare trying to find a buyer for Anthony Martial due to his sky-high wages, writes NEIL CUSTIS.
United are ready to accept a big hit on the £38.5million they paid for him with offers of around £20million ready to be heard.
But the Frenchman’s £240,000-a-week wages are proving a massive stumbling block to any move with no club prepared to match that.
Martial still has two years left on that deal which means United may have to agree to a pay off to get him out of Old Trafford.
Sevilla in La Liga showed interest last season when they took him on a fourth month loan in the second-half of last season.
But the frontman flopped and he will return for pre-season training at Carrington on Monday.
United are also actively trying to find a buyer for centre-back Eric Bailly having offered him to Newcastle United – but that was met with a lukewarm response.
Having signed a new contract in April 2021 he still has two years left of his current contract.
As with Martial, United are ready to take a hit on the 28-year-old with an asking price of just £8.5million for a player who costs them £30million from Villarreal in 2016.
Utd CEO meets ex-chief Gill
Manchester United CEO Richard Arnold has been pictured having lunch with David Gill.
Arnold, who became the first person to hold that title at United since Gill in 2013, was spotted at the Italian restaurant Cibo in Hale Village.
Gill joined the club in 1997, spending ten years as CEO, and went on to have roles at the FA while now working for UEFA.
Accountant Arnold succeeded the unpopular Ed Woodward in February.
During Gill’s time at Old Trafford, he oversaw as Sir Alex Ferguson won NINE Premier League titles and two Champions League medals.
And Arnold could have been picking his brains ahead of the upcoming season.
Their lunch comes after Arnold was filmed branding last season a “f***ing nightmare” in another Cheshire day out.
Ron shows his niece some moves
Cristiano Ronaldo showed off his loose hips as he danced topless alongside niece Alicia Aveiro while holidaying in Majorca.
The 37-year-old’s TikTok dance cameo comes after his £1.7million Bugatti was crashed into a wall by one of his bodyguards.
Cristiano Ronaldo seen for first time since £1.7m Bugatti crash as Man Utd star dances topless with family in MajorcaRonaldo was in another vehicle in a small convoy with his loved ones when his employee came off the road and smashed into a stone wall.
However, the crash hasn’t dampened the mood on Ronaldo’s family holiday. In fact, Ronaldo is continuing to spend quality time with his family.
He has been pictured enjoying days out with his family on his £5.5m Azimut Grande superyacht, which is moored in Port Adriano in the south-west of Majorca.
And the dad-of five is believed to be renting a luxury villa near the scene of Monday morning’s accident. Ronaldo also spent time with niece Alicia and even participated in a TikTok, dancing topless and showing off his loose hips.
Cristiano Jr also got involved while donning his Man Utd gear.
Utd ‘ready to big bid on Evanilson’
Manchester United could bid more than £60million for Porto striker Evanilson.
The Brazilian’s agent Marcio Barros insists only Brighton have so far made a formal offer for the 22-year-old.
Barros spoke out after reports in Portugal that United had bid around £53m – compared to the £70m Porto are said to want.
Evanilson, capped only at Under-23 level, notched 21 goals and five assists in 45 games last season.
Credit: Getty ‘Arsenal & Toon lead Utd and City in Ruiz race’
Arsenal and Newcastle head Manchester United and City in the hunt for Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz.
That’s the claim from Italy’s Corriere dello Sport, who say the Serie Agiants want £26million for the Spain star.
Napoli still hope to keep the 26-year-old but might cash in this summer as he only has one year left on his contract.
Louis Saha makes shock claim
Louis Saha has backed Everton and boss Frank Lampard to break into the Premier League ‘Big Six’ next season.
He told BoyleSports EPL Betting: “A lot of teams in the Premier League can be in the top six and become the challenger to the top four and Everton can be one of those teams.
“It just depends how you start the season and how well you manage the confidence within the team.”
Barcelona make La Liga claim
Barcelona have blamed La Liga for Man United’s failed pursuit of Frenkie de Jong.
United are unwilling to pay the £73m price tag Barca slapped on the Dutch midfielder.
But Barca claim they have to charge the exorbitant fee in order to conduct their own business deals this summer.
A report from ESPN said Barca revealed their valuation is down to the fact that their ‘hands are tied’ by La Liga rules that state they can only reinvest one-third of the money they raise from sales or save in wages.
Anthony compared to United wingers
Man United target Antony is head and shoulders above the club’s current wingers as he nears a £40million move to Old Trafford.
His numbers blow his potential team-mates Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Elanga and Anthony Martial out of the water.
Here SunSport takes a look at how the ex-Sao Paulo ace compares to United’s current crop of wingers.
Eriksen ‘undecided on future’
Man United transfer target Christian Eriksen is still undecided on his future.
That’s according to Brentford boss Thomas Frank who hopes to retain the Denmark international’s services next season.
Frank told AS: “I know we still have a chance and I hope he will make a decision in two weeks.
“The agreement is that he will call me and tell me what he wants to do. He hasn’t decided yet.”
Real Madrid eye United starlet
Real Madrid are keeping tabs on Manchester United wonderkid Alejandro Garnacho after earning praise from Lionel Messi, reports suggest.
According to DefensaCentral, however, Real are keeping tabs on the Argentina international’s contract talks as they could swoop in.
The 17-year-old’s deal runs out next year and Los Blancos will be able to approach him if a renewal isn’t reached.
Real are watching him “very closely” but there are also other clubs keeping an eye on ongoing talks.
Ronaldo made player ‘feel small’
Cristiano Ronaldo made a fellow player feel small when he asked the Portuguese ace for his shirt.
German ace Robin Gosens revealed he asked Ronaldo for his shirt when he played for Juventus but the attacker completely ignored him.
Gosens, who played for Atalanta at the time, said in his autobiography: “After the final whistle I went to him… but Ronaldo did not accept.
“I asked: ‘Cristiano, can I have your shirt?’. He didn’t even look at me, he just said: ‘No!’.
“I was completely ashamed. I went away and felt small. You know that moment when something embarrassing happens and you look around to see if anyone noticed it? That’s what I felt and tried to hide it.”
United bid for Napoli ace
Man United have made a transfer approach for Napoli ace Fabian Ruiz, according to reports.
Ruiz has a year left on his Napoli contract and is yet to commit his future to the club.
Napoli are open to selling Ruiz to avoid him leaving for free next summer.
And United, along with Arsenal, have made a transfer bid for the 26-year-old, the Boot Room reported.
The Prem sides will be able to get Napoli to the negotiation table with a bid of £25.8m, the report adds.
Neville slams Glazers dividend windfall
Gary Neville has slammed the Glazers’ plan to take £11million in dividends from Manchester United this week.
And the Red Devils legend has urged them to invest in the stadium and training ground instead.
Also insisting United need more money to land Erik ten Hag’s top transfer targets, Neville tweeted: “The Glazer Family should NOT be taking £11m in dividends this Friday.
“It isn’t right with the investment needed in the team, stadium and training ground.
“The club’s cash position is low compared to previous years.
“An announcement is needed to halt it for the next three years minimum.”
Garnacho takes Ibiza summer break
Man United wonderkid Alejandro Garnacho has taken a summer break in Ibiza after an impressive term that saw him gaining Lionel Messi’s respect.
After a busy campaign, Garnacho decided to wind down with a holiday in Ibiza.
The Argentina international linked up with some pals and took to Spain on a yacht.
The forward shared some snaps on Instagram showing him getting got some sun and enjoyed his time with jet skis.
Fulham track Musa Barrow
Fulham have put Musa Barrow high up on their summer transfer wish-list.
The highly-rated Bologna winger would cost the newly promoted Premier League side around £16million.
The Gambia international joined the Serie A side from Atalanta two years ago and has risen through the ranks.
His deal runs until June 2024 and he played 35 games for Bologna last term, hitting six goals and adding seven assists.
The Cottagers’ other targets include Sporting CP midfielder Joao Palhinha, Shakhtar Donetsk winger Manor Solomon and Real Betis left-back Alex Moreno.
Fulham see Barrow as someone capable of playing alongside fellow winger Solomon.
Eriksen ‘considering Man United offer’
Christian Eriksen is reportedly considering a contract offer from Manchester United.
The 30-year-old officially becomes a free agent at the end of the month after an impressive short-term spell with Brentford.
nd the Danish playmaker has an offer from the Red Devils on the table, according to The Times.
United are claimed to be hoping Erik ten Hag’s relationship with Eriksen will hope lure the midfielder to Old Trafford.
Ronaldo’s bodyguard wrecks motor
Cristiano Ronaldo had reportedly just left his Majorcan holiday home for a day out when one of his bodyguards crashed his £1.7million Bugatti Veyron.
The 37-year-old was in another vehicle in a small convoy with his loved ones when his employee came off the road and smashed into a stone wall.
Cronica Balear has claimed the unnamed bodyguard got out of the car to continue his journey and left other staff employed by the Manchester United striker at the scene to receive the police.
Man United given Eriksen warning
Man United have been warned that Christian Eriksen isn’t a good fit for the club by Danny Murphy.
Murphy explained on talkSPORT: “If you look at the Manchester United option, I don’t see that.
“If Ten Hag thinks he’s going to play Eriksen and Fernandes in the same team in the midfield with only one holding player, they’ll end up finishing worse off than they did this season.
“Unless he’s going to bring him in as back-up to Fernandes to play as a No.10, or is he going to play him as a central midfielder?”
Kroos debates Real Madrid future
Real Madrid ace Toni Kroos is reportedly considering a future away from the club.
The Chelsea and Man United linked midfielder has asked to be given some time before agreeing to a contract renewal that will keep him at Madrid until 2024, according to SPORT.
The German is assessing his future role at the club after the arrivals of youngsters Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni.
However, Real and club boss Carlo Ancelotti want Kroos to stay put, the report adds.
Ferdinand on Man United’s defence
Rio Ferdinand reckons Man United could offload a few defenders to make space for Ajax ace Jurrien Timber.
He said: “I’ll be interested to see what Ten Hag does in that area.
“We’re talking about the young lad, Timber, at Ajax, a small centre-half.
“I’ll be interested to see what happens with Varane, Lindelof and Maguire, Bailly as well, I think one or two of those will go.”
Rabbit in the headlights
Man United legend Rio Ferdinand has claimed Raphael Varane was like a “rabbit in headlights” during his first season at the club.
Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel: “He’s probably sitting there like a rabbit in the headlights thinking “wow, what is this?”
“He hasn’t been the player we expected… he would tell you that, he couldn’t tell you anything else.
“He’ll be saying ‘I’ve got to up the levels next year. I need help’.”
Torres set for Prem transfer
Man United transfer target Pau Torres will likely ply his trade in the Premier League next season.
That’s the view of Fabrizio Romano who said to Give Me Sport: “I see Pau Torres playing in the Premier League next season because it’s a serious possibility, but at the moment, it’s still not something advanced between clubs.
“So I think they are considering together with Erik ten Hag the best option and then they will jump into it.”
Porto striker’s agent denies bid
Man United have not made a bid for Porto ace Evanilson, according to his agent.
The striker’s agent said, reported by O Jogo: “Those responsible for managing Evanilson’s career did not receive any official proposal, only polls from England.
“There was a Brighton poll. If a formal proposal arrives, we will analyse the best for the player,”
Anthony to United edges closer
Man United are closing in on their first major signing of the summer with Antony on his way from Ajax in a £40million move.
SunSport understands that United officials are due in Amsterdam today to get a deal for the Brazilian over the line.
Ten Hag wants not only Antony from Ajax but centre-back Jurrien Timber, although that deal is looking less likely.
Good morning Red Devils fans
Cristiano Ronaldo’s £1.7million Bugatti was CRASHED in Majorca – but CR7 wasn’t the man behind the wheel.
There is material damage to the wall with investigators attempting to ascertain whether another vehicle was involved.
United have made a formal approach for soon-to-be free agent Christian Eriksen.
The Dane got his career back on track with Brentford last season after being released by Inter Milan following his collapse at Euro 2020.
Eriksen proved he could still cut it at the top level.
Sky Sports are reporting that United have approached Eriksen’s representatives.
And finally, Erik ten Hag is planning on making at least five signings this summer, according to reports.
Ten Hag, 52, has a lengthy shortlist but has identified a handful of top targets to help re-build the club, according to Manchester Evening News.
The Dutchman has outlined Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, former Spurs man Christian Eriksen, Ajax duo Jurrien Timber and Antony as well as a back-up goalkeeper.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
