FRENKIE DE JONG appears to be edging closer to a Barcelona EXIT, with Manchester United hot favourites to sign the Dutch midfielder.
Barca have a headache if they are to meet their FFP obligations and selling the former Ajax man could help swell the coffers.
A reunion with Erik ten Hag would be on the cards and United would be able to rebuild their midfield around the 25-year-old.
United have officially CONFIRMED the departures of Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata.
Former world record signing Pogba will still pocket a £3.8m loyalty bonus from the club.
And Marcus Rashford is set to stay at United with Ten Hag ready to give him the chance to prove himself.
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Cavani talks with Spanish clubs
Manchester United forward Edinson Cavani is in talks with two Spanish clubs over a potential move, according to El Chiringuito TV.
The Uruguay legend’s deal at Old Trafford expires at the end of the month and his representatives are said to be discussing terms with Atletico Madrid and Sevilla.
Mata thanks United fans
Juan Mata has sent a classy farewell message to Manchester United fans.
The former Chelsea midfielder, 34, will leave United as a free agent this month.
In a social media video message, he said: “I wanted to say thank you very much to all of you for your support over the years and especially during the difficult times that we lived together.
“I will never forget you. Thank you very much. All the best from the bottom of my heart and goodbye.”
Allegri dig at Dybala
Juventus boss Max Allegri says Manchester United target Paulo Dybala thinks he is better than he is.
The Argentina forward, 28, is a free agent after seven years at Juve and has been linked with a move to Old Trafford.
Allegri told DAZN: “Paulo needs to go back to being himself. There was a time where he got all carried out by those who labeled him as ‘the new Messi’.
“A player can’t go around trying to play, to think or to be like someone else.”
United’s heartfelt farewell for Mata
Manchester United confirmed Juan Mata’s exit from the club with a nice send-off message.
The former Chelsea midfielder, 34, has been with the Red Devils for nearly nine years and is now a free agent.
A Red Devils statement said: “His team-mates and members of staff never tired of praising his professional attitude and positivity.”
Pogba bonus with United exit
Manchester United will pay Paul Pogba a £3.8million loyalty bonus when he leaves at the end of the month, according to reports.
Sportsmail report the free agent midfielder will get the bumper payout as part of the terms of his deal at Old Trafford, as he closes in on a potential move back to Juventus.
Di Maria shines for Argentina
Angel Di Maria continues to prove his disappointing year at Manchester United was just a blip in his otherwise stellar career.
The mercurial midfielder shone alongside Lionel Messi as Argentina beat Italy 3-0 in Finalissima on Wednesday.
Di Maria, 34, is regarded as one of the Red Devils’ most disappointing signings after arriving for £60million in August 2014 from Real Madrid.
But after picking up his fifth Ligue 1 winner’s medal with Paris Saint-Germain this spring it is fair to say he has underlined the maxim that form is temporary – but class is permanent.
Parker: Garner needs another loan
Manchester United legend Paul Parker says Red Devils prospect James Garner would benefit from another loan move to a Prem club next season.
The 21-year-old midfielder has been on a temporary placement at Nottingham Forest and helped fire the Reds to promotion via the Championship play-offs last month.
Former Red Devils defender Parker, 58, told BonusCodeBets: “I think he needs to go on a loan.
“Should it be in the Premier League? Yes, it has to be I think for his own sanity, to be given the opportunity to play in that league.”
Brentford eye ‘United target’ Aarons
Brentford have joined the growing list of suitors for Norwich full-back Max Aarons.
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand recently urged the Red Devils to sign the ex-Luton star, who has also been linked with a move to Leeds United.
Now Bees boss Thomas Frank has reportedly added the versatile wing-back to his summer transfer shortlist.
Morning, United fans
Recruiting Frenkie de Jong could be much tougher than saying goodbye to Paul Pogba.
United have opened talks with Barcelona on a £50million swoop for Holland midfielder De Jong and confirmed £89m enigma Pogba is departing on a free transfer.
Former Ajax hero FDJ wants to stay at cash-strapped Barca – but they need him out to fund a squad revamp.
Meanwhile, United ‘congratulated’ their outgoing French World Cup winner Pogba. 29, for his ‘successful career’ at Old Trafford.
Juventus are favourites to re-sign the 29-year-old, although PSG are also interested.
England midfielder Jesse Lingard is also leaving United, following Edinson Cavani and Nemanja Matic out.
But Three Lions’ striker Marcus Rashford is now tipped to stay – with a fresh start under new manager Erik ten Hag.
Several other stars are tipped to go, though.
Centre-back Phil Jones and frontman Anthony Martial look the most vulnerable, while second-choice keeper Dean Henderson expecting at least a loan exit.
But Spanish playmaker Juan Mata could win a final year’s swansong.
Wolves ‘want £60m for Neves’
Wolves want Sporting Lisbon duo Matheus Nunes and Joao Palhinha — if £60million Manchester United target Ruben Neves is sold this summer.
Barcelona also want ex-Porto midfielder, Neves, 25.
Wolves have held initial talks over deals for Neves’ Portugal team-mates Palhinha, 26, and Nunes, 23.
Jones and Henderson could join Utd ‘exodus’
Paul Pogba will be Manchester United’s third big-name exit on a free transfer – and there could be at least five more significant departures.
Edinson Cavani and Nemanja Matic have already gone, with Jesse Lingard to follow.
Centre-back Phil Jones looks the most vulnerable of the rest, while second-choice keeper Dean Henderson is tipped for at least a loan move.
Spanish playmaker Juan Mata, 34, could yet win another year’s contract.
But frontrunners Anthony Martial – who finished the season on loan to Sevilla and Marcus Rashford – floundered when trying to impress interim chief Ralf Rangnick.
Rio grand honour
Ex-England ace Rio Ferdinand is among a string of sports stars to get a gong in the Queen’s Jubilee Honours.
The former Manchester United defender gets an OBE for his activism and charity work helping disadvantaged kids.
Other winners include Gareth Bale, made an MBE days before he attempts to send Wales to the World Cup for the first time in 64 years.
Liverpool ace James Milner also gets an MBE, along with England cricketer Moeen Ali.
Team GB’s Olympic gold-winning curling captain Eve Muirhead is awarded an OBE. Her triumphant Beijing team-mates Vicky Wright, Jennifer Dodds, Hailey Duff and Mili Smith, plus the head coach David Murdoch, all get an MBE.
Utd starlets snubbed for PFA gong
THE PFA Young Player of the Year shortlist has been announced with a number of top Premier League stars nominated.
Chelsea‘s Reece James will be rivalled by fellow England international and Premier League winner Phil Foden.
Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have also been nominated.
On-loan Chelsea star Conor Gallagher has been recognised, as has Aston Villa‘s Jacob Ramsey.
Foden is the frontrunner, having picked up his fourth Prem crown.
The 22-year-old made 28 Prem appearances this term, scoring nine and assisting five. Across all competitions, Foden reached double figures in both goals and assists.
Should Foden win the award again, he will join Dele Alli in being one of only five players to have won the award in consecutive seasons. Ryan Giggs did it at United in 1993, Robbie Fowler in 1996 and Wayne Rooney a decade later.
Theatre of Dreams? Fantasy, more like
THEY call it the Theatre of Dreams yet Manchester United’s famous home has surely now become a place of pure fantasy, writes KEN LAWRENCE.
Or at least that is the conclusion many of the club’s fans came to following yesterday’s gushing goodbye to Paul Pogba.
The Frenchman will, as has been long expected, leave on a free transfer at the end of this month.
There were few tears for souvenirs at the free transfer loss of the £89million record buy who returned in 2016.
Big Hag-gle to make Frenkie welcome
New Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is determined to make Barcelona hero Frenkie De Jong welcome.
But the Dutch midfielder may need more persuading to leave than Barca do to let him go.
The financially-crippled Spanish club need to cut costs and manager Xavi is understood to be prepared to let him leave.
Yet De Jong, 25, said this week he still believes he is at his “dream” club and wants to stay.
Ten Hag hopes he can convince him to change his mind, with Barca wanting the £65.4m they paid Ajax in 2019 — though United believe they can cut that fee significantly.
Utd open talks with Barca on £50m De Jong deal
Manchester United have opened talks with Barcelona in a £50million bid for Frenkie de Jong — as they issued a gushing farewell to £200m flop Paul Pogba, writes KEN LAWRENCE.
Pogba departs Old Trafford as one of the costliest under-achievers in the club’s history.
Once wages and bonuses are added to his £89m club-record fee, United will have forked out more than £200m on Pogba at a cost of over £800,000 a game.
The 29-year-old is now expected to return to Juventus on a free transfer, though Paris Saint-Germain have shown an interest.
He joined Jesse Lingard in being confirmed as departing Old Trafford.
Rashford backed to stay
Marcus Rashford is tipped to stay at Manchester United.
The £63million-rated England striker, 24, only started six Premier League matches in 2022.
He’s denied being frustrated at his childhood club.
But speculation has grown over his limited opportunities and erratic performances.
Now, though, journalist Jacque Talbot predicts Rashford will stay to start afresh under new manage Erik ten Hag.
Credit: Rex Cheeky Devil?
Lazio could duel Manchester United for Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
The ten-cap England star, 26, has revived his Blues’ career this season under Thomas Tuchel.
But new United boss Erik ten Hag has been linked with a move.
And Italian outlet Gazzetta Dello Sport says ex-Blues’ chief Maurizio Sarri is ready to rev up his interest in a reunion with Loftus-Cheek, who might cost at least £17million.
Fight for Aarons and Hickey
Brentford have put ‘Manchester United target’ Max Aarons and Arsenal-linked Aaron Hickey on their transfer shortlist.
Bees boss Thomas Frank has made the full-backs his top priority.
Aarons, 22, is tipped to leave relegated Norwich to stay in the Premier League.
And Bologna’s Scotland left-back star Hickey, 19, is also wanted by the Gunners – for around £21.25million.
Wolves line up Neves replacements
Wolves want Sporting Lisbon duo Matheus Nunes and Joao Palhinha — if £60million Manchester United target Ruben Neves is sold this summer.
Barcelona also want ex-Porto midfielder, Neves, 25.
Wolves have held initial talks over deals for Neves’ Portugal team-mates Palhinha, 26, and Nunes, 23.
Pogba exit could mean EIGHT stars leaving
Paul Pogba will be Manchester United’s third big-name exit on a free transfer – and there could be at least five more significant departures.
Edinson Cavani and Nemanja Matic have already gone, with Jesse Lingard to follow.
Centre-back Phil Jones looks the most vulnerable of the rest, while second-choice keeper Dean Henderson is tipped for at least a loan move.
Spanish playmaker Juan Mata, 34, could yet win another year’s contract.
But frontrunners Anthony Martial – who finished the season on loan to Sevilla and Marcus Rashford – floundered when trying to impress interim chief Ralf Rangnick.
Utd in ‘£47m Sergej bid’
Manchester United have turned their interest in Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic into a £46.7million bid.
That’s the claim from Italian outlet Il Tempo, who rate the Red Devils favourites for the Serbia star.
But Lazio are said to rate the former Genk ace, 27, at £76.5m.
Torres is Carmo alternative
Villarreal centre-back Pau Torres is rated a back-up option if Manchester United miss out on Braga’s David Carmo.
Spaniard Torres, 25, capped 17 times, helped his LaLiga club win the Europa League in 2021, ultimately beating the Red Devils on penalties.
The Yellow Submarine also made the Champions League semis this term with Torres ever-present.
Utd ‘in Carmo talks’ in case Timber move collapses
Manchester United have reportedly held talks over Braga centre-back David Carmo in case a deal for Justin Timber collapses.
The Red Devils are in the market for a new defender with new boss Erik ten Hag hoping to bring Timber with him from Ajax.
But United have held talks with 22-year-old Carmo, according to the Daily Mail.
Carmo was a transfer target for Liverpool last season and nearly made the switch to Anfield but the deal collapsed.
The centre-back helped Braga to a fourth-placed finish, qualifying for next season’s Europa League.
His fine form has earned Carmo a call-up to Portugal’s squad for their June Nations League fixtures.
Ron in, Son out for top PFA gong
Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo has received a shock nomination for the PFA Player of the Year award.
But there is no room for Tottenham ace Son Heung-Min, despite the South Korean finishing as joint-top scorer this season.
Elsewhere, Spurs striker Harry Kane and Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne are also in the mix.
But it’s Liverpool who lead the way with three nominations in Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk.
Ronaldo endured a mixed first campaign upon his return to Man United despite scoring 18 Premier League goals.
The Portuguese legend was criticised for failing to adapt to the team’s tactics.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
