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    Man Utd joined by Leicester in Boubakary Soumare transfer race with just 18 months left on Lille contract

    LEICESTER CITY have reportedly joined Manchester United in the race for Boubakary Soumare.
    The Lille midfielder has just 18 months left on his contract and is one of France’s brightest talents.

    Soumare, 21, has been linked with a host of clubs during the last 12 monthsCredit: Getty – Contributor

    According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Foxes are interested in Soumare and many clubs have inquired about his availability.
    One of those may be AC Milan, who were linked with him last month.
    Leicester’s reported interest in the 21-year-old may frustrate United, who have been linked with him for more than a year.
    The Red Devils were said to have scouted the youngster in January 2020 with a view to a move that window.

    Soumare rejected a £35million transfer to Newcastle in the same window, with reports suggesting he was holding out for a move to United or Liverpool.
    He remained at Lille and has continued to impress, making 23 appearances in all competitions this season.
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    Man Utd’s biggest transfers ever, both in and out, including Ronaldo
    The midfielder is yet to make his senior international debut for France but has represented them at every age group level between U16 and U21.

    He could finally be on the move this summer as Lille may want to cash in on him before his contract expires.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

    Soumare is not the only youngster linked with a move to United, with Rennes midfielder Eduardo Camavinga also said to be on their radar.
    And Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland continues to be rumoured with the Premier League side.

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    Man Utd ready to launch new Erling Haaland move with club prepared to back Solskjaer in major summer transfer splurge

    MANCHESTER UNITED boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer WILL get the backing to bring the world’s top stars to Old Trafford this summer.
    And that means the green light to join rivals Manchester City in the battle for Erling Haaland.

    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (right) could launch a new bid for Erling Haaland this summer

    It is also the clearest indication yet that the Red Devils manager, 47, will be handed a new deal to continue his overhaul at the end of the season.
    United were in the hunt for Haaland, the most wanted striker in Europe, before he joined Borussia Dortmund last January.
    A £65million release clause only kicks in next year, meaning anyone wanting to sign the 20-year-old before then will have to pay an inflated premium.
    Leeds-born Haaland scored twice last night — one an incredible bicycle-kick — as Dortmund claimed an emphatic 4-0 win at Schalke.

    Fellow Norwegian Solskjaer refused to be drawn on specific targets but did admit he has been promised funds will be available to sign the best players around.
    He revealed: “I can’t say anything about individuals — but we’ve got the backing.
    “The owners keep backing the club and myself and hopefully we can improve.
    “We’ve got a plan to become a very successful Man United team, one that top players would like to play for.

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    Erling Braut Haaland.Erling Braut Haaland.Erling Braut Haaland.Erling Braut Haaland.Erling Braut Haaland.Erling Braut Haaland.This guy. Jeez 🤯 pic.twitter.com/zs9dvP0byV
    — Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 20, 2021

    “We are getting better but we need to do better than last year, when we got to three semi-finals.
    “The next stage is to get into finals and establish ourselves again as title challengers in the league.
    “It’s down to us to keep improving and getting closer to the trophies.”
    Haaland, along with Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe, 22, are the two hottest prospects on the planet.
    With an incredible 27 goals in just 24 appearances this season for his German side, Haaland has been hitting the headlines.
    He even managed to bag FOUR goals in one game in a 5-2 trouncing of Hertha Berlin in November.

    Solskjaer knows his own situation will be decided by results — yet the promise of summer funds is a real sign he is there for the long haul.
    He added: “I’ve still got time on my own contract and my job is to keep doing my best for the club.
    “I talk to (chief exec) Ed Woodward all the time and I know we will keep on discussing the progress of the team.”
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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    Man Utd ‘had £130m bid rejected’ for Ansu Fati in the summer as they tried to land Barcelona wonderkid

    MANCHESTER UNITED had a £130million bid rejected for Barcelona youngster Ansu Fati, according to reports.
    The Premier League side are rumoured to have tabled the huge bid last summer.

    Fati, 18, is one of the hottest talents in European footballCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, United’s offer for the 18-year-old was rejected.
    Fati has been a revelation since making his LaLiga debut as a 16-year-old in August 2019.
    He has scored 11 goals in 31 league games, winning the LaLiga Player of the Month award in September 2020.
    The promising talent has also made his Spain debut, picking up four caps to date.

    He scored his first international goal against Ukraine last September, becoming Spain’s youngest ever scorer – a record that had stood for 95 years.
    But he has not played since injuring his knee last November.
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    The news of Barcelona’s alleged rejection is surprising as they are said to be desperate for cash.

    The Spanish giants are believed to owe more than £170m in transfer fees having made a string of poor signings in recent years.
    But Fati did sign a new contract until 2024 last year, which includes a whopping £367million buy-out clause.

    The 18-year-old is not the only player United are linked with.
    Reports suggest they are preparing to offer Bayern Munich star Kingsley Coman £260k-a-week.
    The Red Devils are also said to be keen on Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland, although his £65m release clause cannot be activated until 2022.
    And they’ve been linked with Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, rated at £61m.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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    Eduardo Camavinga’s agent says Man Utd and Real Madrid transfer target will cost more than £43m

    EDUARDO CAMAVINGA’S agent reckons the midfield prodigy will cost more than £43million.
    The Frenchman has emerged as one of the hottest properties in Europe since his debut for Rennes in 2018 aged just 16.

    Rennes midfielder Eduardo CamavingaCredit: AFP or licensors

    His contract runs out in the summer of 2022 and only ‘four or five clubs’ could convince him to leave Julien Stephan’s side.
    But his agent Jonathan Barnett warned it would come at a price.
    Asked by Goal if he vaulues the 18-year-old at more than €50m (£43m), Barnett said: “I would think so.”
    Camavinga has made 26 appearances this season with just the one goal but made his debut for France last year.

    Real Madrid and Barcelona have both been linked with the starlet.
    And a move to one of Spanish giants appears to be the preferred destinations if Camavinga was to be prized away from Rennes.
    Barrett said: “At the moment, he’s a Rennes player.
    “He likes Rennes and, at the moment, we haven’t really taken to other clubs. It isn’t our position.

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    “Let’s see what happens later on, but he’s doing well in Rennes and that’s fine.
    “Being the best midfielder in the world, that’s how I see his future, [with] a lot of medals and a lot of trophies.
    “[Madrid are] a great club, a great club to play for. Eduardo will have a choice of a lot of clubs if Rennes decides to release him. 
    “They will be one of the four of five clubs in the world he might go to.
    “Eduardo would love to play for a top club. Madrid are one of those top clubs in the world, so are Barcelona.”

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    Man Utd in Jadon Sancho transfer boost as Dortmund would rather sell £104m England star than Erling Haaland this summer

    MANCHESTER UNITED have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Jadon Sancho with Borussia Dortmund reportedly open to selling the winger in the summer.
    The 20-year-old has once again impressed this term for BVB – chipping in with nine goals and 14 assists in 28 games in all competitions.

    Manchester United reportedly remain keen on signing Borussia Dortmund ace Jadon SanchoCredit: Rex Features

    And having failed to lure the player to Old Trafford last campaign, the Red Devils are understood to have retained their interest in the England international.
    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has also let it be known that he is keeping tabs on Sancho’s Dortmund team-mate Erling Haaland.
    But according to Bild, the Bundesliga outfit are desperate to keep hold of the Norwegian striker beyond this year.
    That is despite the Norwegian striker being available for just £65million in 2022 due to a clause in his contract.

    Instead of cashing in on the ex-Red Bull Salzburg marksman, the German news outlet states Dortmund would rather sell Sancho at the end of the season instead of Haaland.
    They state that they are willing to part ways with the former Manchester City youth star if they receive a fee in the region of £104million.
    It was claimed last week that Sancho’s exit from Signal Iduna Park was ‘set in stone’.
    He could be one of eight players that could be offloaded by Dortmund as they look to recoup their losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

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    Other squad members that face an uncertain future include Axel Witsel, Manuel Akanji, Mahmoud Dahoud, Giovanni Reyna and Raphael Guerreiro.
    Commenting on the potential signing of Sancho, United icon Dimitar Berbatov has declared his former employers should stay clear of the player.
    He told Betfair: “I have read more rumours about Jadon Sancho at Dortmund and how United could sign him. So, you sign Sancho and where do you play him?
    “They will have lots of games in the Europa League and FA Cup, but then what happens to people like Donny Van de Beek.
    “It would be Van de Beek two if they sign him. Yes, he is a great player but then do you just have too much talent.”
    Before adding: “If Sancho signed for another team or a rival it wouldn’t be a blow. Sir Alex Ferguson got rid of players because no-one is bigger than the club, they were replaced.
    “That’s still the case, no one is bigger than Manchester United, so, I’m not expecting anything to happen.”

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    Man Utd ‘willing to splash out £61m on Sevilla defender Jules Kounde this summer’ to find new Harry Maguire partner

    MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly prepared to bid for Sevilla’s Jules Kounde in their search for a new defensive star.
    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has failed to create a backline worthy of a serious title challenge, with the Red Devils conceding more goals than Brighton, Burnley and Arsenal this season.

    Jules Kounde has caught the eye since signing for Sevilla in 2019Credit: Getty Images – Getty

    Former defender Gary Neville recently described the partnership between Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof as a big ‘problem’ – but the £80million club captain likely to partner any new addition.
    A potential move for RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano was ended by him agreeing to sign for Bayern Munich.
    Therefore, a move for fellow French centre-back Kounde is thought to be on their radar.
    According to Spanish outlet La Razon, United are preparing a £61m bid for the 22-year-old.

    Paris Saint-Germain are also in the hunt for a new defender with Sergio Ramos a target.
    If the Ligue 1 side fail to land the Spanish veteran, they are reportedly ready to pay Kounde’s full £78m release clause.
    Real – currently in talks with Ramos over his future – are also monitoring Sevilla star Kounde.
    Raphael Varane is another centre-back who may be leaving the Spanish capital in the summer, with Manchester United one potential destination.

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    But Real are not thought to be able to match the transfer fees being discussed in the Red Devils’ and PSG’s plans.
    Sevilla paid over £20m for Kounde from Bordeaux in 2019.
    The France Under-21 international quickly established himself in the team, sat fourth in LaLiga.
    Kounde even played an unusual role in Sevilla’s ten-game winning run ahead of a Champions League meeting with Borussia Dortmund, scoring a spectacular goal against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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    Marcus Rashford named in Time magazine’s The Next 100 Influential People after Man Utd star’s incredible charity work

    MARCUS RASHFORD will grace the front cover of Time magazine’s March edition after being named among the ‘Next 100 Most Influential People’.
    The Manchester United star was awarded an MBE for his sterling efforts in forcing the government into providing free school meals for kids in need.

    Marcus Rashford will be on the front cover of March’s Time MagazineCredit: Time

    And now the 23-year-old will follow in the foosteps of sporting royalty such as Lionel Messi, LeBron James and Roger Federer by gracing the cover of the famous mag.
    But his influence is as much, if not more, linked to matters away from sport than in it.
    Rashford campaigned for the government to ensure no child went hungry during the school holidays – forcing them into a very public U-turn.
    And in June last year Boris Johnson phoned the footballer to personally promise that food would be delivered to those in need during the Christmas, Easter and summer holidays.

    Rashford described it as ‘the greatest moment of my life’ – there was even a mural painted of him in Manchester to recognise his efforts.
    The England striker’s intro to Time Magazine’s next top 100 was penned by fellow trailblazer Lewis Hamilton.
    The seven-time Formula One world champ and anti-racism campaigner wrote: “In 2020, Marcus Rashford took his many talents beyond the football field—where he is a star player for Manchester United and England’s national team—to respond to a national crisis: child hunger.

    Marcus Rashford has been heralded for his efforts to see no child go hungryCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Lewis Hamilton has praised his sporting mate Marcus RashfordCredit: PA:Press Association

    “‘I know what it feels like to be hungry,’ he wrote last June as part of a campaign that succeeded in pushing the government to provide meals for students in need during summer vacation.

    “By standing up for the most vulnerable in our society, and using his platform and influence to create positive change, Marcus inspired countless others to join him on this mission and cemented his status as a role model.
    “In a year that showed us the power of working together toward a common goal, he was a galvanizing force behind uniting people across the UK in the effort to ensure that no child goes hungry.
    “His determination, resilience and persistence have been truly inspiring. I cannot wait to see how he continues this important work.”

    Rashford spent time doing charity work last yearCredit: PA:Press Association

    The footballer was honoured with this mural on a wall in ManchesterCredit: akse_p19 Instagram
    Rashford has previously spoken how hearing his mum cry at night as she struggled to provide for her family is what inspired him to help feed starving children during lockdown.
    The England and Manchester United striker said his mum never got help and that is what ‘drives him’ to help feed other families.
    As well as his sensational work off the pitch, Rashford has nailed down a regular starting spot at his boyhood club United and has been capped 40 times for England.
    And he is currently leading the fight against social media abuse of players and officials.
    His speaking out over this has been heralded by many, including United legend and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville who called him ‘brave’.

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    Bayern fear Kingsley Coman could quit for Man Utd transfer with ‘Red Devils preparing staggering £260k-a-week contract’

    BAYERN MUNICH are worried Manchester United could poach star winger Kingsley Coman in the summer by reportedly offering him a huge £260,000-a-week contract.
    Coman’s current deal at the Allianz Arena runs until 2023 but he apparently is looking for a big increase on his current £140,000-a-week terms.

    Bayern are worried about losing their star man Kingsley Coman

    According to German newspaper Bild, United have put together a package to tempt the France international away from the Bundesliga and are looking to make him one of their big buys this summer.
    Bayern are desperate to tie Coman down and avoid a repeat of their mishap with David Alaba, with the Austrian defender leaving this coming summer for free after failing to agree terms.
    Manchester United, Real Madrid and Chelsea are all in the chase for Alaba – with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men ready to make it a double swoop with the addition of Coman.
    Bayern’s sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic is aiming to extend the contracts of several of Bayern’s young stars, including Coman, Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka.

    Kimmich and Goretza are reportedly ready to agree terms but Coman’s situation is much more up in the air – potentially clearing the way for United to make their move.
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    Bayern chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge insisted Coman is not for sale when he was first asked about United’s interest in December.
    He said: “Kingsley is an absolute top player today, and is extremely valuable for Bayern. He often makes the difference, just when it counts the most.

    “Kingsley is not for sale.”
    Coman is well aware of the interest in him, and was coy when confronted with interest from United and local rivals Manchester City last month.
    He said: “It’s good to know that good teams are interested in me, it gives me additional confidence.
    “But I have a contract here until 2023, I’m just thinking of Bayern. It’s all good, I’m happy.”

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