MANCHESTER UNITED will reportedly complete the transfer of Jadon Sancho once they pay Dortmund an extra £8.5m in add-ons.Personal terms based on a five-year deal worth £350,000-a-week have already been agreed.
Meanwhile the Red Devils are said to have had a £50m bid rejected for Raphael Varane.
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SMALL CHANGE
Everton are reportedly keen on bringing former Manchester United star Chris Smalling to Goodison Park this summer.
Although the 31-year-old isn’t up for sale, Roma are said to be open to hearing the Toffees’ offer, according to Corrieredellosport.
But any deal would only go ahead if the price is right and if Roma manage to find a replacement for the defender.
The Italian side signed Smalling for £18million from Manchester United last summer and will want to recoup the bulk of that.
Dellosport also claim another factor in the potential deal is if new Roma boss Jose Mourinho wants to off-load his defensive rock.
The pair have a good relationship which goes back to when they worked together at United when Mourinho was in charge.
PREM PROMISE
The Premier League have agreed to fund over 2,000 new defibrillators across grassroots football in the wake of Christian Eriksen’s brush with death.
The first phase will see the AEDs rolled out to Football Foundation funded facilities which currently do not have access to the life-saving device.
Then grassroots clubs across England who own their own facilities will then be able to apply for funding for a defibrillator.
Over 2,000 sites will benefit from this investment, with the first 1,000 units delivered in time for the start of season 2021-22 and the second wave expected in September.
Once installed, the AEDs will be accessible, if required, to an estimated 1.5m people that use these facilities per season.
As part of the scheme, each recipient will have required to send at least one person on the FA’s free Sudden Cardiac Arrest course to learn how to use them and also help with tips on CPR.
KAY AND DRY
England’s newest superstar Bukayo Saka was brought back to earth in savage style by team-mate Marcus Rashford.
The Arsenal teen – who was man of the match in Tuesday’s win over Czech Republic – was cheekily nutmegged by Rashford in training on Friday.
DONE DEAL
Manchester United title winner Alexander Buttner is trying to revive his stalled career – with Dutch minnows RKC Waalwijk.
The defender, 32, helped the Red Devils lift their most recent Premier League crown eight years ago.
Buttner has since played for Anderlecht, Vitesse Arnhem and New England Revolution, and joined Apollon Limassol in January.
However his move to Cyprus swiftly turned sour. Local media claimed the left-back was released due to fitness concerns.
Meanwhile the player’s advisors insisted Apollon had failed to fulfil contractual promises.
🌡 #RKC Waalwijk verwelkomt vanaf vandaag Alexander Büttner op de training. De verdediger traint de komende periode mee om zijn conditie op peil te houden.🔗 https://t.co/GtKJEIzvFL— RKC Waalwijk (@RKCWAALWIJK) June 25, 2021
YOU OLD SOFTIE
Phil Neville has revealed he was left stunned after Roy Keane turned up to his wedding – saying the Irishman has a ‘soft spot’ for him.
Speaking on The Greatest Game with Jamie Carragher, Neville said: “Do you know what? I think he had a soft spot for me.
“He actually turned up to my wedding… and he would never turn up to anyone else’s wedding.
“He turned up to mine and had a good time – and his kids went to school with my kids. Every time I see him now, I think, ‘He has a little bit of a soft spot for me’.
“I think because he hated Gary [Neville] so much – he used to fight with Gary every day – he saw me as the nice one.”
PERI-PERI SOURCE
Ivan Perisic is being tracked by Premier League and Bundesliga clubs ahead of a possible departure from Inter Milan.
With his contract up in a year’s time, La Gazzetta dello Sport note Inter’s openness to cashing in on a player earning upwards of £80,000-a-week.
Manchester United have been linked with the winger for practically his entire career.
Credit: AFP
HE’S OUR GAL
Sunderland are joining the race to sign Ethan Galbraith on loan.
A number of League One and Championship clubs are chasing the Northern Ireland international, who has made just one appearance for Manchester United.
Sunderland Echo name the Black Cats as just one club tracking the 20-year-old.
PAUL YOUR FINGER OUT
Mikael Silvestre has called on Paul Pogba to show greater consistency despite his great start to Euro 2020.
The France midfielder has starred for Les Bleus so far but his countryman believes he still has more to do.
Ex-Manchester United defender Silvestre told Ladbrokes: “The problem with Paul Pogba is the consistency – or lack of.
“When he’s at the top of this game, his level is something else, but he finds it difficult to repeat that game after game.
“I look at it this way; he’s a world-class player, he’s got world-class attributes for sure. The question is, can he repeat it every three days? I’m not sure he can.
“He hasn’t done it for Man United, I’m not sure he can do it for France either.”
Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
NEAR AND VAR
Raphael Varane should be Manchester United’s top target for the summer.
That is according to Spanish former Premier League star Luis Garcia, who expects Real Madrid to put up a fight for the defender.
He told ESPN: “I think Man United should try to bring [Varane] in.
“He is one of the most important players at the moment at Real Madrid.
“They’re losing [Sergio] Ramos who is the leader at the back. [Madrid] need to buy another centre-half.
“If they want to challenge in every single competition, Real Madrid need to keep Varane.”
HAIR RAISING
Manchester United fans can rest easy.
Paul Pogba has confirmed his latest haircut is NOT a symbol of his desire to return to Juventus.
The midfielder’s current black-and-white do drew questions after France’s draw with Portugal.
He replied: “It’s not tied to my future… My hair is always changing.”
Credit: Getty
CANTONA SIGNS FOR UNITED
Eric Cantona has confirmed: “Yes, my friends, I have signed for United again.”
The former Manchester United hero has, in fact, signed up for a campaign to buy supporters’ shares, in a scheme backed by the Glazers.
Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) are leading a Fan Share Scheme to provide greater representation on club decision making.
After Cantona became one of the first to sign up, MUST chief executive Duncan Drasdo said: “No one loves the club more than we do so fans should be at the heart of ownership.
“This is our chance to take the first step towards that change.”
GARD’S UP
West Ham will continue their pursuit of Jesse Lingard but may have to wait until Jadon Sancho’s future is resolved, according to reports.
The England international reignited his career with the Hammers during a hugely impressive loan stint last season.
According to the Express, West Ham are happy to bide their time to see if the Red Devils will consider letting him leave.
Sancho’s arrival is likely to push Lingard down the pecking order at United and tempt the club into cashing in.
NOT INTER YOU
Donny van de Beek is holding out on a move to a Premier League or LaLiga club this summer, according to reports.
FCInterNews claim the Manchester United outcast does not see a move to a Serie A team as a priority.
The Red Devils are reportedly open to offers on their £40million man.
CROWN JULE
Chelsea have moved ahead of Manchester United in the race to sign Sevilla ace Jules Kounde, according to reports.
The highly-talented 22-year-old is being heavily linked with a move to the Premier League this summer.
Arsenal are also interested but boss Mikel Arteta has set his sights on Brighton’s Ben White.
Thomas Tuchel is eager to land a new central defender this summer with Thiago Silva turning 37 in September.
Kounde remains top of his shortlist and ABC Sevilla write how the Blues have made their move.
Sevilla won’t let their key asset leave on the cheap having slapped a £55million price-tag on his head.
NUN OTHER
Portugal legend Nuno Gomes has recalled Cristiano Ronaldo’s infamous wink after Wayne Rooney’s sending off in their 2006 World Cup clash.
England were knocked out at the quarter-final stage on penalties following the striker’s 62nd-minute dismissal, and a wink which turned Ronaldo into a pariah around the country.
But Gomes has told Ladbrokes: “Cristiano and Wayne Rooney were teammates at club level, but when you’re on the field, you’re always trying to get an advantage for your team.
“I think Rooney would’ve done the same thing if the situation was the other way round.
“The wink is not great for people to see, but it proves that Cristiano was just taking advantage of the situation and giving his team the best chance of winning.
“I remember there was a lot of talk in the newspapers and on TV after the incident, and people were suggesting Cristiano wouldn’t be returning to Manchester, but that just was not true.”
Credit: PA:Press Association
‘FIRST OF IT’S KIND’
Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante and Mohamed Salah are just three of the 200-plus Muslim stars in the Premier League and EFL.
And a ‘first of it’s kind’ ten-point charter has been produced to guide clubs on best practice regarding their Islamic stars.
Nujum Sports are behind the concept, which has already been picked up by several clubs in the top tiers.
Founder and chief executive Ebadur Rahman highlighted Pogba’s recent removal of a bottle of Heineken at his Euro 2020 press conference as one situation to learn from.
He told BBC: “After speaking extensively to athletes and clubs, we felt it was the right time to have a Muslim athlete charter in place in the UK. We believe it is the first and only one of its kind.
“Clubs and organisations are joining a positive movement of solidarity, equality and recognition of the contribution Muslims make at their respective clubs and teams.”
HERE WE SAN-GO
Manchester United are nearing a deal for Jadon Sancho, according to reports.
The Manchester Evening News claims Borussia Dortmund want just £6million more than the Red Devils’ current bid for the winger, plus £2.5m more in add-ons.
Sancho is described as keen on the move with both club and player optimistic of sealing the move after personal terms were agreed.
Credit: Getty
GAZ ALL, FOLKS
Phil Neville has revealed how brother Gary set the wheels in motion for his exit from Manchester United.
In 2005, the defender signed for Everton after a short exchange with his brother , which he recalled on the Greatest Game Podcast.
Phil said: “I was with Gary one day, and I said this is happening. And Gary being Gary, he literally picked up his phone and rang Sir Alex straight away, and within 10 minutes we were sat in his front room.
“Literally Gary wasn’t my team-mate, he became my brother, the protective one around me. He just took me straight to Sir Alex’s house, and at that time we decided it was the best thing.
“I had a cup of tea, a piece of cake, and we spoke about the next stage of my career, and literally came out of his house and I was no longer a United player. Ultimately, it was probably Gary that instigated the final bit.
“My dad was away on holiday with my mum. And he literally picked up the phone and rang the boss, and said right we need to talk, Phil wants to talk, and within an hour, Gary had got me a move to Everton.”
UR OUR GUAY
Edinson Cavani netted in Uruguay’s Copa America win against Bolivia overnight.
The 2-0 win their progression to the quarter-finals and knocked out Bolivia, with only one team leaving the competition from each of the two groups.
After helping force the own-goal opener, Cavani slotted home a cool 78th-minute second after Uruguay missed several chances.
GOOD MORNING UTD FANS,
Marcus Rashford could face shoulder surgery after the Euros, making him a doubt for the start of Manchester United’s Premier League campaign.
Rashford has played through pain to ensure his place in England’s squad for the Euros.
And asked whether he needed an operation, Man Utd ace Rashford, 23, said: “I have to decide after – it’s either an operation or I don’t get an operation on my shoulder.
“I’m not 100 per cent sure if I need it yet. I’ll finish strongly here and like I said I’ve got a few weeks off to just relax and decide what I’m going to do.
“The doctors have not said how long I’d be out for.
“The reason I don’t know is that when the season was going, and before I came here (with England), I knew there was no chance I was going to be getting the operation so I did not know how long the operation would put me out for.
“I am fully concentrated on here (England). When the tournament is finished then I will ask the question.
“But to get to this stage where I am now, it was a massive aim of mine back at the beginning of the season. I’m prepared mentally and physically for games.”
And Rashford admits he has been unable to produce his best form in recent months.
He said: “Obviously I am not performing at my best, and what I know I can perform to.
“Whatever that is down to, it doesn’t really matter because it has been going on since early on in the season.
“I managed to get through the season with United. I think I had 36 goal involvements so I can’t look back at the year and say ‘mmm, I should have taken time off to do this and do that.’
“I just want to be available for every game.”
Elsewhere on the transfer front, United have reportedly told Borussia Dortmund they are willing to pay £73m for Jadon Sancho plus add-ons.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made signing the England international his priority after failing to secure his services last summer.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano tweeted: “Manchester United officially told BVB they’re prepared to pay €85m for Sancho.
“Add-ons included as part of the negotiation ‘to reach an agreement soon’. BVB still asking for €95m guaranteed.
“Clubs in talks about add-ons structure. Jadon made it clear: he wants Man Utd.”
MORE FROM RASHFORD
And Rashford admits he has been unable to produce his best form in recent months.
He said: “Obviously I am not performing at my best, and what I know I can perform to.
“Whatever that is down to, it doesn’t really matter because it has been going on since early on in the season.
“I managed to get through the season with United. I think I had 36 goal involvements so I can’t look back at the year and say ‘mmm, I should have taken time off to do this and do that.’
“I just want to be available for every game.”
RASH DECISION
Marcus Rashford could face shoulder surgery after the Euros, making him a doubt for the start of Manchester United’s Premier League campaign.
Rashford has played through pain to ensure his place in England’s squad for the Euros.
And asked whether he needed an operation, Man Utd ace Rashford, 23, said: “I have to decide after – it’s either an operation or I don’t get an operation on my shoulder.
“I’m not 100 per cent sure if I need it yet. I’ll finish strongly here and like I said I’ve got a few weeks off to just relax and decide what I’m going to do.
“The doctors have not said how long I’d be out for.
“The reason I don’t know is that when the season was going, and before I came here (with England), I knew there was no chance I was going to be getting the operation so I did not know how long the operation would put me out for.
“I am fully concentrated on here (England). When the tournament is finished then I will ask the question.
“But to get to this stage where I am now, it was a massive aim of mine back at the beginning of the season. I’m prepared mentally and physically for games.”
UP FOR THE CUP
Manchester United’s U21s have found out their fates for the Papa John’s Trophy next season.
The Young Red Devils will be up against Bradford City, Lincoln City and defending champions Sunderland in Group F of the Northern Section.
UNITED FRONT
Jadon Sancho is set to become one of Man Utd’s most expensive signings should he finally complete his move from Borussia Dortmund this summer.
PUT A FOOT RON
Cristiano Ronaldo was subjected to ‘insults and beatings’ from Arsenal when the former Manchester United star tried tricks.
That is the revelation by ex-Arsenal attacker Robert Pires on a harsh start to life in England for Ronaldo.
Ronaldo’s introduction to English football was greeted with plenty of harsh challenges and Pires admitted opposing players did not appreciate the star’s showboating.
Pires told Record: “Cristiano made feints and the English didn’t like it. It was just a beating.
“You can’t play like that against the English and you couldn’t do that at Highbury, Arsenal’s home. It was just insults and beatings.
“At first he didn’t stand it very well, it was complicated for him. Football in England is completely different.”
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