MANCHESTER UNITED have made a £52million bid for Ajax winger Antony – but are still several million short of the Dutch club’s valuation.
Frenkie de Jong’s transfer remains in the balance, with Manchester United and Barcelona unable to agree add-on payments.
United could see their Portuguese icon Cristiano Ronaldo head for the exit door this summer.
And his representatives have reportedly approached new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly on a deal which would see Ronaldo make the switch to Stamford Bridge.
And it has been claimed that Ajax ace Lisandro Martinez is pushing for a move to the Premier League which is a huge boost for Man United but Arsenal are also waiting in the wings.
- IN: Tyrell Malacia
- OUT: Paul Pogba (released), Juan Mata (released), Jesse Lingard (released), Nemanja Matic (Roma), Edinson Cavani (released), Lee Grant (released), D’Mani Mellor (released), Reece Devine (released), Paul McShane (released), Connor Stanley (released), Paul Woolston (released)
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Antony return possible
Manchester United could have to wait another month before attempting to sign Ajax star Antony again.
A deal may be difficult to complete because the winger is still recovering from an ankle injury he sustained in March.
According to AD, the Dutch champions are unwilling to sell the Brazil international so they are demanding at least £65million for his services.
United are said to be reluctant to pay that sum, but club chiefs are still considering a future bid
Boehly wants Ronaldo
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly wants to sign Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo this summer.
But the Blues are having internal differences regarding a potential bid for Ronaldo.
According to SunSport’s Andy Dillon, Boehly is a major fan of the forward but must now convince manager Thomas Tuchel to go for him.
Tuchel and the new chairman are set to hold talks on whether to follow up with a firm bid for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner or invest elsewhere.
The German head coach insists Manchester City star Raheem Sterling and defenders are his priority, having lost Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen in the summer.
But the American owner wants a marquee signing to launch his regime after taking over from previous owner Roman Abramovich last month in a £4.25billion deal
Lisandro Martinez latest
Ajax ace Lisandro Martinez has told the club that he wants to quit and move to the Premier League.
Martinez is wanted by both Manchester United and Arsenal to bolster their defence.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano tweeted: “Lisandro Martínez, back in Holland today – he’s been very clear with Ajax telling the club that he only wants to leave to try his first Premier League experience.
“Manchester United are pushing as [Erik] ten Hag wants Lisandro as priority – Arsenal, still there fighting.”
And The Mirror also claims that Martinez “pleaded” with Ajax to “grant him his wish” to play in the Premier League
De Jong to stay
Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong is not for sale, according to club president Joan Laporta.
De Jong has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United, but now the transfer seems dead in the water following Laporta’s latest comments.
Whilst unveiling new signing Franck Kessie, he said: “Frenkie is not for sale. He is a Barcelona player.
“We don’t want to transfer him”
Ronaldo offered to Chelsea
Chelsea have been offered the opportunity to sign Manchester United’s wantaway star Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo who has been granted extra time off from pre-season, is frustrated over United’s lack of transfer activity this summer.
And the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is desperate to fight for trophies and play in the Champions League this coming season.
Chelsea’s new owner Todd Boehly is keen to sign the star forward in the summer transfer window
Credit: GETTY IMAGES MLS clubs want Jesse Lingard
Free agent Jesse Lingard could be on his way to the United States after Major League Soccer teams offered ‘ground-breaking’ deals to sign him, according to reports.
Lingard, 29, left Manchester United after his contract with The Red Devils ran out last month.
He has been repeatedly linked with a move to another Premier League team, with West Ham, Newcastle, and Everton the main candidates vying for his signature.
However, ESPN has revealed the attacking midfielder could be tempted by a move to the MLS.
The report indicates Lingard, who has been holidaying in America this summer, will hear pitches from two MLS franchises who have offered ‘ground-breaking’ deals for him.
Ronaldo’s exit will be a ‘circus’
Paul Scholes is anticipating a frenzy surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo’s imminent Man United exit.
Ronaldo told the club he wants to leave this summer.
And Scholes thinks his exit will be shrouded in a media frenzy.
He wrote on Instagram regard Ronaldo’s exit: “Let the circus begin.”
Eriksen could miss tour
New Man United signing Christian Eriksen could miss the club’s pre-season tour.
The Red Devils are gearing up for a trip to Thailand ahead of the new Prem campaign.
But Eriksen may have to miss the trip as he still needs to undergo an extensive medical, according to the BBC.
And although the Denmark international has verbally agreed terms with United, there’s a few details that still need to be ironed out, the report adds.
This means he may not be unveiled as a United player until after the club jet off on Friday.
Maguire unlikes Ronaldo post
Harry Maguire’s Instagram account has unliked a post claiming Ronaldo was upset about a wage cut at Man United.
His profile – @harrymaguire93 – initially double tapped the post about Ronaldo’s 25 percent pay reduction along with thousands of others social media users.
But now the United captain’s account has swiftly removed the like.
It is unclear if the initial post approval was accidental or intentional.
Ten Hag’s management skills praised
Erik ten Hag has been quick to make his mark in Manchester United training.
The Dutchman has earned rave reviews after being spotted pulling James Garner aside for a one-on-one chat at Carrington.
United posted a clip to their Twitter account of Ten Hag chatting to Garner, 21, who also returned yesterday after being called up for England U21 duty last month.
Ten Hag put his hand on Garner’s arm and spent some time talking to him directly while the rest of the squad walked past.
United fans on social media have been left impressed by Ten Hag’s man management after seeing the clip.
De Jong set for Barca stay
Frenkie de Jong is not for sale, Barcelona chief Joan Laporta has revealed.
De Jong has been heavily linked with a move to Man United, but now the transfer seems to dead in the water following Laporta’s latest comments.
Whilst unveiling new signing Franck Kessie, Laporta said: “Frenkie is not for sale. He is a Barcelona player.
“We don’t want to transfer him.”
Di Maria to Juventus confirmed
Angel Di Maria is set to complete his free transfer to Juventus.
The former Manchester United winger has left Paris Saint-Germain after an epic seven-year stint in the French capital.
In their initial attempt, Juventus offered a two-year contract when Di Maria only wanted a one-year contract.
Now it seems that the veteran attacker has got his wish and is about to make his switch to the Serie A club official, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
Maguire likes Ronaldo fury post
Harry Maguire has ‘LIKED’ a post on social media about Cristiano Ronaldo being “upset” with the 25 per cent wage cut at Manchester United.
Reports claim the salary slash, which came as a result of United failing to qualify for the Champions League, contributed to Ronaldo sensationally asking to leave the club.
The suggestions, according to Manchester Evening News, were posted on Instagram by SPORTbible this morning.
And Maguire’s official Instagram account ‘liked’ the post.
His profile – @harrymaguire93 – double tapped the post about Ronaldo along with thousands of others social media users.
Ronaldo exit could be ‘beneficial’
But McManaman reckons Ronaldo’s exit could benefit Man United and new boss Erik ten Hag.
The ex-Real Madrid ace added to Horseracing.net: “He’s a superstar but if Manchester United could recoup their money, a new manager coming in might be better to say ‘OK, a new start. Get rid of everybody who doesn’t want to be here. Let’s start afresh’.
“That’s cool and might be beneficial to Ten Hag. Secretly he might be thinking, ‘this is amazing’.
“But how this deal is going to materialise when you look at the bigger picture, I just can’t see how it’s going to turn out.
“You can see Ronny wanting to play in the Champions League but, sometimes, you can’t get what you want.”
Ronaldo faces new club challenge
Cristiano Ronaldo could struggle to find a new club amid reports he wants to leave Man United.
That’s according to Liverpool legend Steve McManaman who told horseracing.net: “Ronny’s 37. I completely understand that he wants to carry on playing in the Champions League but firstly I wouldn’t know who would take him.
“The deal would be big. Manchester United have given him a lot of money in wages. I have no idea who would pay half-a-million a week, for one more year.”
Gnabry set for crunch talks
Serge Gnabry is reportedly set to hold crunch talks with Bayern Munich as he enters the final 12 months of his contract.
The 26-year-old winger has been linked with the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal AND Manchester City.
Bayern though are keen to keep hold of the former Arsenal man – who scored 17 goals and provided 10 assists in all competitions last season.
The Bundesliga champions are planning a meeting with Gnabry and his representatives, according to German outlet Bild.
They are keen for Gnabry to extend his contract in order to fight off interest from elsewhere.
Lingard to West Ham discussed
West Ham should should end their interest in Jesse Lingard if he’s not committed to joining the club.
That’s according to Hammers legend Frank McAvennie.
He told West Ham Zone: “I don’t know what’s happening with Lingard, I think that’s a funny one. Me personally, I don’t know if I’d pursue that.
“I just think he’s, it’s as if he’s waiting on other clubs coming in for him and it’s not happening. So I don’t want us to be a club which is ‘the only ones that wanted me,’ sort of thing.
“West Ham have gone by that now. If you don’t want to come to West Ham then go elsewhere.
“They shouldn’t pursue somebody that doesn’t want to go, but you never know what’s been said between David Moyes and Lingard. I don’t know whether he’s on holiday again, or what the situation is.
“I’d like to think if he’s stalling, then West Ham should pull the plug on him.”
Fans joke on Pogba return
Fans are convinced Paul Pogba’s return to Juventus means one thing… a record move back to Manchester United.
The Red Devils forked out £89million to sign Pogba from Juve back in 2016 after letting him join the Italians for free four years earlier.
Football fans though have been unable to resist poking fun at United for losing the Frenchman yet again.
In response to the news Pogba had agreed to join Juve, one wrote on social media: “We will see him back at Man Utd in 2025 for £120m.”
Another added: “Then Utd will pay £200mil to buy him back.”
And a third joked: “How many years til he’s back at Utd?”
Doubts cast over Ronaldo transfer
Cristiano Ronaldo may not get minutes he wants on the pitch with potential suitors Chelsea, Lee Sharpe believes.
He told bettors.ng: “I’m not sure. If he goes to Chelsea, I don’t think he’ll play every game.
“I’m not sure he’ll be too happy about that. We saw the disappointment last season where he was brought off last season as a substitute.
“If that’s his only option and he fancies a year or two in London, then who knows. But I would say that he is keeping his options open at the moment to find out what’s on the table.”
Positives from possible Ronaldo exit
However, Ronaldo’s exit from United could work out in the club’s favour, Sharpe believes.
He added to bettors.ng: “As far as the team goes, they will struggle because of the number of goals he brings to the team.
“But because of the age of him, I think they will be able to bring in someone a bit younger that possibly could play on that front foot and get the ball back and play the high pressing game, which Ronaldo is a little bit old to play.
“Disappointing in one way, but could possibly work out for the better in the end for the team.”
Ronaldo’s exit decision questioned
Cristiano Ronaldo’s decision to leave Man United seems “funny and weird” to club legend Lee Sharpe.
Sharpe told bettors.ng: “I think it’s a funny thing to come out with right now. Ronaldo has come out and said he wanted to play Champions League football for the rest of his career.
“He knew, even before the end of last season, that Manchester United weren’t going to be playing Champions League and didn’t ask for a transfer.
“The manager has just come in, and he hasn’t even been in training yet. It seems a bit of a weird one.”
De Jong speculation runs rife
Man United fans have joked that Frenkie de Jong has confirmed on social media he is heading to Old Trafford.
Eagle-eyed supporters noticed De Jong liked Tyrell Malacia’s Instagram post confirming he had signed for United.
Thousands of fans, including De Jong, liked the 22-year-old’s post after his move was made official.
The move has left some supporters believing De Jong might not be far behind Malacia.
One Man Utd fan account wrote on social media: “We see you @DeJongFrenkie21.”
Another said: “He is joining.”
Paqueta ‘snubs several Prem clubs’
Lucas Paqueta has reportedly snubbed the chance to join Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City.
North London rivals Arsenal and Spurs were both keen, while Man City also allegedly made contact with the player’s camp over a potential move.
Now ESPN Brazil claims that Paqueta is set to remain at Lyon.
They state that none of the English trio were able to advance talks with the South American’s representatives over a deal.
Ten Hag rips into squad
Erik ten Hag might have just realised the size of the job he’s got on his hands at Manchester United.
Footage has emerged of the new manager already getting frustrated with his stars in training.
All of United’s stars, except from Cristiano Ronaldo whose return has been delayed for family reasons, are back at Carrington for pre-season.
And it hasn’t taken long for Ten Hag to get stuck into his squad.
The Dutchman put the players through their paces in a one-touch passing drill and already it seems as though some are struggling with his demands.
In a clip posted to Twitter of the session there is a shout from the sideline of: “Making too many mistakes!”
Ten Hag eyes swift Ronaldo solution
Erik ten Hag wants Cristiano Ronaldo’s Manchester United future to be resolved quickly — before it turns into a full-blown saga.
But United are determined not to let him leave for a Prem rival, despite interest from Chelsea.
The Red Devils continue to insist their legendary star is not for sale and they expect him to see out the final 12 months of his contract.
But Ten Hag is concerned the noise surrounding Ronaldo will affect his preparations for the new season – with all his other players now back.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
