More stories

  • in

    Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti warns star midfielder is ‘untouchable’ amid Man Utd and Arsenal transfer links

    REAL MADRID boss Carlo Ancelotti has issued a hands-off warning to Manchester United and Arsenal regarding his “untouchable” midfielder.The LaLiga side are nine points behind rivals Barcelona in the title race but remain on course to successfully defend the Champions League.
    Man Utd and Arsenal have been linked with Eduardo CamavingaCredit: Alamy
    Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti insists that the midfielder is ‘untouchable’Credit: Reuters
    They welcome Liverpool to the Bernabeu on Wednesday holding a 5-2 advantage from the first-leg of their last-16 clash.
    However, this summer the club are preparing for major changes to their engine room with veterans Luka Modric and Toni Kroos both expected to depart and Jude Bellingham identified as their top transfer target.
    France international midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is another to have been linked with a move.
    Man United are reportedly willing to smash their club record to sign the 20-year-old, who joined Madrid in 2021 from Rennes for £26m.
    READ MORE ON SPORT
    Arsenal are another club believed to be keen on trying to bring the youngster to the Premier League this summer after initially wanting him on loan in January.
    But despite Camavinga not being a regular starter for Ancelotti, the Italian coach is adamant that his starlet is going nowhere.

    He said: “We will not let Camavinga leave, he’s untouchable — like Modric and Toni Kroos.
    “Camavinga is untouchable for us — also in the future I’m sure he will stay that way.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    “He makes some mistakes but he plays such good games that everyone forgets about it.”
    Meanwhile, a fresh report is claiming that Madrid have submitted their first offer to Dortmund for Bellingham worth around £123m in an attempt to usurp their rivals.
    They claim that it is worth £88m up front with the rest of the package made up in incentives.
    It adds that Bellingham was initially set on a move to the Bernabeu but has since had his head turned by the potential packages available from the Premier League.
    But Madrid now believe that the “whole matter can be resolved in the next international break at the end of March” where the ace is set to be part of Gareth Southgate’s squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers with Italy and Ukraine. More

  • in

    Man Utd set to make Denzel Dumfries transfer pursuit again this summer as Erik ten Hag targets Inter Milan full-back

    MANCHESTER UNITED are set to reignite their interest in long-term target Denzel Dumfries, reports suggest.That is according to Football Insider, who report that United boss Erik ten Hag remains a “huge fan” of Inter Milan star Dumfries.
    Manchester United are set to reignite their interest in Inter Milan star Denzel DumfriesCredit: Rex
    The Red Devils tried to sign the full-back during the January transfer window but couldn’t raise the necessary funds.
    The Manchester giants have received a major transfer boost with Chelsea unlikely to persist on their long-term pursuit of the Netherlands international after signing Malo Gusto.
    And Inter’s financial troubles could lead to a cut-price deal for the 26-year-old.
    However, Dumfries still won’t come cheap as he may cost a fee in the region of £40-50million.
    Read More on Man Utd
    Plus, the Dutchman, who has a contract until 2025, commands a salary of around £54,000 per week at the San Siro.
    The ex-PSV Eindhoven star is among a number of high-profile players that could leave Inter in the summer.
    Milan Skriniar appears set to leave on a free transfer and spark a mass clearout.
    United are likely to need a new right-back at the end of the season.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    Diogo Dalot’s contract runs out next year and he has yet to agree new terms at Old Trafford.
    Aaron Wan-Bissaka, on the other hand, has fallen out of favour under Ten Hag.
    Dumfries has amassed a total of seven goals and 13 assists in 76 appearances across all competitions for Inter since his arrival in 2021. More

  • in

    Liverpool want to sign THREE Portugal international midfielders from Prem rivals if they miss out on Bellingham transfer

    LIVERPOOL have reportedly set their sights on THREE Portuguese midfielders if they cannot secure Jude Bellingham.The Reds have made Bellingham, 19, their No1 transfer target in the summer as they finally look to prize him away from Borussia Dortmund.
    Liverpool are set to seek new midfielders in the summerCredit: Getty
    Joao Palhinha, left, has enjoyed a sensational season with FulhamCredit: Reuters
    But they face huge competition in the market as the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid are also closely monitoring him.
    It means Jurgen Klopp is having to prepare for the eventuality of missing out on the England midfielder.
    And, as SunSport exclusively revealed in a related story on Sunday, their back-up shortlist contains a trio from Premier League rivals.
    They are Fulham man Joao Palhinha and Wolves duo Matheus Nunes and Ruben Neves.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    Palhinha, 27, has been sensational for the Cottagers since joining from Sporting Lisbon for £17million in the summer.
    He is being chased by Man Utd, but Liverpool will be hoping they can leapfrog their bitter rivals to rip him away from his deal in West London – which runs until 2027.
    His value is thought to have more than doubled thanks to his impressive performances this season, with his price tag now around £40m.
    Then there are two more Premier League midfielders Liverpool have their eye on – and they are both from Wolves.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    Ruben Neves has also been linked with a move to AnfieldCredit: Alamy
    Nunes, 24, and Neves, 26, are being linked with moves to Anfield in the summer.
    Man Utd have been chasing Neves for a long time but always ended up going for alternative options.
    However, as he prepares to enter the final 12 months of his deal at Molineux, now seems the most likely time for him to leave.
    By contrast, Nunes only arrived at Wolves at the start of the season.
    Much like Palhinha, he has four more years left on his contract and will likely be blocked from leaving unless the offer is too good for the club to turn down.
    Liverpool are keen to bolster their midfield after difficult seasons for the likes of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson.
    Klopp’s men face a fight to finish in the top four, sitting six points adrift of Tottenham with a game in hand.
    Matheus Nunes is understood to be a Liverpool targetCredit: Getty More

  • in

    Man Utd ready to swoop for £66million Arsenal target if Red Devils cannot seal Harry Kane transfer this summer

    MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly ready to battle Arsenal for Dusan Vlahovic if they fail to sign Harry Kane this summer.SunSport revealed last week that Erik ten Hag has made the Tottenham star his No1 transfer target this summer.
    Dusan Vlahovic is on Manchester United’s summer transfer target listCredit: Getty
    Tottenham striker Harry Kane remains their No.1 targetCredit: Reuters
    Kane, 29, has less than 18 months remaining on his deal and United are hoping to take advantage of the England captain’s contract situation.
    But we reported last night that they are still anticipating a “nightmare” pursuit.
    That’s because Spurs chief Daniel Levy is renowned as a tough negotiator.
    Now ESPN have claimed that has left United “focusing on alternative options including Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Juventus forward Vlahovic. 
    READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
    Regarding Kane, this update says that the Red Devils “will not risk a prolonged pursuit”  which “drags out until final hours of the summer transfer window”.
    A source told them: “United can’t afford to start the season without a new striker.
    “And having dealt with Levy in the past, they don’t want to go through that nightmare all over again for Kane with so much at stake, so they might not even get involved.”
    Vlahovic, 22, joined Juventus from Fiorentina back in January after snubbing the chance to move to the Premier League with Arsenal.
    Most read in Football
    HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL
    Mikel Arteta’s side were desperate to bring the Serbian international to the Emirates – but he rejected them in favour of Turin – but they are still keen.
    Vlahovic has scored ten goals this term but has now gone six game without finding the net but Juve’s early Champions League exit has left them needing to raise funds.

    Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain have entered the transfer race for Osimhen.
    The Nigerian star’s goals have fired Napoli to the top of Serie A this season.
    His blistering form, which includes 19 goals in 22 top-flight matches, has attracted interest from the likes of United, Chelsea and Arsenal.
    And Luciano Spalletti’s side stand to make a big profit from Osimhen, valuing him at £107m. More

  • in

    Real Madrid make first move for Jude Bellingham with mega £123MILLION offer to pip Liverpool and Man Utd to transfer

    REAL MADRID have allegedly made their first move for Jude Bellingham with a mega £123million transfer offer. Bellingham, 19, is one of the most in-demand teenagers in world football after his exploits at the World Cup and for Borussia Dortmund.
    REal Madrid have reportedly tabled their first offer for Jude BellinghamCredit: Getty
    The former Birmingham ace was back on these shores last week but suffered disappointment as his team were knocked out of the Champions League by Chelsea.
    The Blues, Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City have all been linked with the midfielder.
    We reported last month how Newcastle had now joined the transfer chase, while Madrid have also held a heavy interest in signing the teenage sensation.
    There was a growing feeling within the LaLiga club’s camp that they “were becoming resigned to the fact that the financial muscle of the Premier League is almost unbeatable” with regards to a transfer deal.
    READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
    Then speculation mounted that they held talks with Bellingham’s father over a potential move in London last week.
    Now Sport 1 are claiming that they have submitted their first offer to Dortmund for the ace worth around £123m in an attempt to usurp their rivals.
    They claim that it is worth £88m up front with the rest of the package made up in incentives.
    It adds that Bellingham was initially set on a move to the Bernabeu but has since had his head turned by the potential packages available from the Premier League.
    Most read in Football
    HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL
    But Madrid now believe that the “whole matter can be resolved in the next international break at the end of March” where the ace is set to be part of Gareth Southgate’s squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers with Italy and Ukraine.
    Los Blancos are allegedly preparing for the departure of midfield veterans Toni Kroos and Luka Modric at the end of the season and have identified Bellingham as their top target.

    The youngster has struggled over recent weeks and has now gone a month without registering a goal or assist for the Bundesliga giants.
    Sporting director Sebastian Kehl was quizzed about Bellingham’s difficulties following Dortmund’s 2-2 draw with Schalke over the weekend.
    He said: “Maybe he’s missing a goal here or there that he scored in the first half of the season.
    “He works. He wants and wants. And yet there are times when that’s okay. You also have to admit that a player doesn’t always play at the highest level.
    “But I know with him that he works hard on himself. That’s where it goes.”
    However, Kehl then hinted at Bellingham carrying an injury after being asked specifically about the bandaging he has been wearing on his left knee.
    Kehl replied: “He has been treated regularly over the past few weeks.
    Read More on The Sun
    “That may end up costing one or two per cent. We hope that we can get this under control quickly.”
    Pressed further on the knee problem, he cryptically added: “As long as he can play, everything is fine.” More

  • in

    Man Utd fear ‘nightmare’ transfer pursuit of Harry Kane with execs ‘desperate not to deal with Spurs chief Daniel Levy’

    MANCHESTER UNITED chiefs fear their pursuit of Harry Kane could turn into a nightmare, according to reports.SunSport revealed last week that Erik ten Hag has made the Tottenham star his No1 transfer target this summer.
    Manchester United have made Harry Kane their No1 summer targetCredit: AP
    United chiefs are expecting Daniel Levy will be tough to negotiate withCredit: Alamy
    Kane, 29, has less than 18 months remaining on his deal.
    United are hoping to take advantage of the England captain’s contract situation.
    But the Mail Online report that they are still anticipating a “nightmare” pursuit.
    That’s because Spurs chief Daniel Levy is renowned as a tough negotiator.
    READ MORE ON MAN UTD
    It is believed he will seek around £100million for Kane depsite his dwindling contract.
    Some reports even claim his asking price could be closer to £150m.
    Ten Hag is desperate to have a striker in place before getting pre-season underway.
    And United chiefs know that could prove tricky if their pursuit of Kane turns into a saga.
    Most read in Football
    HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL
    Napoli hitman Victor Osimhen is also on the Red Devils wishlist after scoring 19 goals in 22 Serie A games this season.
    He is believed to have a £107m release clause in his contract and United could look to activate it if they fail to get Kane quickly.
    Osimhen is also wanted by Chelsea and Arsenal and he put interested suitors on red alert after revealing it is his dream to play in the Premier League.
    Osimhen said: “I think playing in one of the top five leagues in the world (Serie A) is an amazing feeling for me.
    “A lot of people worldwide consider the Premier League as the best and the strongest league but now I’m in one of the best leagues in the world which is the Italian Serie A.
    “I’m working so hard to make sure that I achieve my dream of playing in the Premier League some day but like I said, it’s a process and I just want to keep on this momentum and continue to do well.” More

  • in

    Man Utd set to let Facundo Pellistri leave on loan transfer despite impressing Erik ten Hag

    MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly willing to let 21-year-old Facundo Pellistri leave on loan.The winger, who joined the Red Devils in a £9million transfer in 2020, has made six appearances off the bench so far this season.
    Pellistri is expected to leave Man Utd on loanCredit: Getty
    But he is yet to make his first start despite impressing Erik ten Hag in training.
    According to Manchester Evening News, the Dutchman wants to send him out on loan in order to boost his development.
    Pellistri enjoyed two successive loan spells at Alaves and spent the entirety of last season in LaLiga.
    He returned to Old Trafford at the beginning of the season and made his first team debut in January against Charlton in the Carabao Cup.
    Read More on Man Utd
    The winger has since impressed both on the pitch and in training.
    Following United’s 4-1 win over Real Betis last week, Ten Hag told MUTV: “He is the example by deserving his position by performance on the training [ground].
    “And I said the other day, I did not select him for Liverpool and it was not even totally justified because he was training that well.
    “Now this was his moment to come on because of a longer period he performed in training.
    Most read in Football
    HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL
    “What impressed me was he came on and, straight [away], showed himself.
    “When they came on, Scott [McTominay] and Pelli, it was 3-1 but 4-1 is huge, to make the extra goal. In the first moment, they did, which was brilliant.”

    Pellistri is one of two Man Utd players expected to be loaned out this summer.
    Anthony Elanga is also set to leave Old Trafford in search of regular football. More

  • in

    Liverpool will be Man Utd’s main challengers for Fulham midfielder Palhinha with bitter rivals set for £60m transfer war

    LIVERPOOL have joined Manchester United in the race to sign Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha, according to reports.Last week, SunSport exclusively revealed that United were plotting a swoop for the 27-year-old Portugal ace.
    Liverpool and Man Utd are interested in signing PalhinhaCredit: Getty
    And according to The Daily Mail, Liverpool have also expressed an interest.
    Palhinha joined Fulham in a £20million transfer from Sporting Lisbon last summer.
    However, following a series of impressive performances at Craven Cottage, he is now valued at around £60m.
    The Cottagers are confident that the midfielder will remain in West London for at least one more season, but club chiefs may be forced to cash-in if a suitable offer is made.
    Read More on Man Utd
    Chelsea, Newcastle, Arsenal and Tottenham are also interested in signing Palhinha, who has made more tackles than any other midfielder in Europe’s top five leagues this season.
    Man United and Liverpool are both eager to sign a new midfielder when the summer transfer window opens.
    And for Jurgen Klopp’s Reds, Palhinha could be the perfect alternative to priority target Jude Bellingham.
    The 19-year-old England star carries a £130m price tag, so Liverpool may have to set their sights on other midfield options.
    Most read in Football
    HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL
    Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag is eager to bolster his Man Utd midfield and he believes Palhinha could be the perfect addition.
    The Red Devils are also interested in signing 20-year-old midfielder Gabri Veiga from Celta Vigo. More