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    Man Utd stars on transfer list and their price tags including Lingard, Jones, Smalling and Pereira as Ole recoups cash

    MANCHESTER United fans are celebrating this week after the club finally got the chequebook out to complete the £39million transfer of Donny van de Beek.
    The Dutch midfielder, 23, is the first signing of what has been a frustrating summer for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with his endless pursuit of Jadon Sancho so far failing to deliver.

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    Van de Beek has completed his £39m move to United
    A centre-back is still high on the wanted list, with Dayot Upamecano and Kalidou Koulibaly among the top targets.
    Another attacking midfielder or forward would also be welcome but Solskjaer knows he must balance the books by clearing some dead wood out of Old Trafford first.
    So who is on the Norwegian’s chopping block as he looks to raise some cash – and how much can he expect for them?
    JESSE LINGARD – VALUE £15M
    ACADEMY-PRODUCT Lingard still managed 25 starts among his 40 appearances last season and chipped in with four goals – including two during Operation Restart.

    But despite his late flurry, the 28-year-old attacking midfielder, who has played close to 300 games for United, will have been hit harder than most by Van de Beek’s arrival.
    The 24-cap England international’s £75,000-a-week deal runs out in 2022.
    And with reported interest from Newcastle and Roma, it’s possible he won’t see that through if United can get around £15m for him.

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    Lingard could be waving goodbye to Man UtdCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    ANDREAS PEREIRA – £15M
    IS he an attacking midfielder, is he a holding midfielder, is he going to be at Old Trafford next year? The answer to all three questions remains unclear.

    But it would be no real surprise if Pereira, who like fellow academy product Lingard played 40 times last year, follows him out the door.
    Like Lingard, Solskjaer would love to have him around next year but can’t guarantee him game time – and needs cash from somewhere.
    Down the pecking order below even fellow bit-part players Fred, Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic, the 24-year-old Brazilian’s search for first-team football means he will need to look elsewhere.
    Benfica and former loan club Valencia are said to be keeping an eye on him, and an offer of around £15m could be enough to prise him away.

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    Solskjaer would like to keep Pereira and Lingard but can’t guarantee game time and may have to cash inCredit: AFP or licensors
    CHRIS SMALLING – £20M
    THIS seems the most straightforward of the possible exit deals with the 30-year centre-back wanting away and being in demand.
    ‘Smalldini’ hoped to make last season’s brilliant loan spell with Roma permanent and so did the Italians.
    United appear to be getting used to life without him and the pursuit of new centre backs suggest they are happy to let the man they signed for Fulham for £7m in 2010 go.
    If Roma cough up £20m it appears they can have him – and United could make a rare profit.

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    ‘Smalldini’ starred at Roma last season and could be back there if they can find £20mCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    PHIL JONES – £8M
    THE face of football pocketed a tidy £18,333 per minute for the time he played last season and even his biggest fan might agree he’s done well there.
    Eyebrows were raised when he was given a new £75,000-a-week contract last year that ties him to the club until 2023 at least.
    With the pursuit of a new centre-back seemingly pushing him down the pecking order even further, you wouldn’t bet on him still being in Manchester then.
    But for an injury-plagued 28-year-old who’s only played 43 Premier League games in the last three years, it’s unlikely United will recoup the £17m they paid Blackburn for him in 2011.
    West Ham were said to be keen on offering him a Premier League lifeline while a reunion with Smalling in Rome has also been mooted for a player now valued at around £8m.

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    David Moyes could have his eye on Phil Jones, who may be on his way out of UnitedCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    DIEGO DALOT – £10M
    A BIG hope when Jose Mourinho brought him in from Porto for £19.8m in 2018, his career has nose-dived since.
    A string of injuries and the impressive debut season of Aaron Wan-Bissaka have seen his chances limited, with little sign they’ll improve.
    At the age of just 21 and with undoubted potential, he may take up the escape route offered by Everton, who are willing to pay £10m for the Portuguese.

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    Any hope of Dalot establishing himself in United’s starting XI seems a bit of a stretchCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    ERIC BAILLY – £15M
    UNITED’S best centre half in some fans’ eyes, his four years at the club since his £35m move from Villareal have been beset by injuries and resulted in just 84 appearances.
    The 26-year-old Ivorian has pace to burn and undoubted potential and will not be happy with reports he will have another centre back to compete with next season.
    If Solskjaer wants to raise some decent cash the £15m-rated defender, whose contract runs out in 2022, could be one of the men to go.
    The club even reportedly offered him to AC Milan – but they weren’t interested.

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    Bailly’s United career has been wrecked by injuries Credit: EPA
    JUAN MATA – £9M
    THE Spaniard only signed a new two-year deal last summer but could be another to suffer as a result of Van de Beek’s arrival.
    He made 37 appearances last term and although he hasn’t relied on pace for years, at 32 years of age, his game time is expected to dwindle further this year.
    United have got six years’ service from the £40m they paid Chelsea for him in 2014, and could be happy to cash in now.
    Mata himself is said to have thrown the door open to a move to Turkish giants Fenerbahce, and any bid close to £10m could see the popular midfielder off to Istanbul.

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    Is Mata on his way out of United after six years?Credit: Getty Images – Getty
    MARCOS ROJO – £7M
    THE Argentine centre-half is back at Old Trafford after a six-month loan spell with Estudiantes in his homeland.
    He made no secret of how much he was enjoying his time back there and if United could get the £7m he is valued at on transfermarkt they would probably take it.
    A move by Everton last summer failed to materialise, much to his anger.
    But with the 30-year-old plummeting down the pecking order, it would suit both parties if he didn’t waste time trying to add to the 122 games he has played for United since joining in 2014.

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    Rojo could be happy to see the back of Old Trafford after failing to clinch a move to Everton last yearCredit: Getty – Contributor
    SERGIO ROMERO – £7m
    ROMERO could follow countryman Rojo out the door this summer after Dean Henderson returned from his Sheffield United loan spell and signed a £120,000-a-week deal.
    United are said to have offered the 33-year-old stopper as a makeweight in a deal for Jack Grealish, making up £10m of a much bigger overall fee.
    His contract runs out next summer and he is said to be unhappy at how Henderson’s arrival and the effect it will have on him has been handled.
    Everton and Chelsea are said to be interested in a keeper who knows he will be playing third fiddle if he stays at Old Trafford.
    Unless United are planning on cashing in on De Gea…

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    Romero is another who could be waving goodbye very soonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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    Man Utd need another attacker but missing out on Jadon Sancho transfer wouldn’t be end of the world, claims Gary Neville

    GARY NEVILLE believes Jadon Sancho is not essential in Manchester United’s fight back to the top – but multiple signings ARE required.
    The Red Devils’ hopes of signing the Borussia Dortmund winger this summer appear to be fading.

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    Gary Neville hopes to see more attacking recruits at Old TraffordCredit: PA:Press Association

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    Borussia Dortmund look set to keep hold of Jadon Sancho for another yearCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    With a deadline set by the German club now passed, United are hoping Sancho still wants the move.
    But club legend Neville, 45, wants to see his old team focus their efforts elsewhere if the youngster is unavailable.
    He wrote for Sky Sports: “The fans I speak to aren’t saying we desperately want Sancho.
    “They are saying we want the right calibre of signing brought into the club. It could be anybody that fits that bill.

    “Yes, Sancho may fit that bill, but I’m not sat here as a United fan thinking I desperately want him. It could be any number of players that become available that would improve United.
    “If Harry Kane became available, and Tottenham fans will be saying why are you trying to get him out of Spurs again, but if he became available, he’d obviously improve United’s squad. So it doesn’t have to be a certain player.
    “The emergence of Mason Greenwood takes a bit of pressure off the situation but still, Manchester United need to add to the front three of Greenwood, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.
    “They need to challenge those three players and support those three players. They need to have depth behind those three players, and they will drive the standards.

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    “We saw that with Greenwood, Martial and Rashford towards the end of the season.
    “They were driving each other to score more goals, assist each other, they were playing better together so other players coming in of that kind of quality are going to improve them.”
    Neville has previously warned United that Sancho, 20, is not the automatic fix for returning the club back to its glory days.
    Instead, a plethora of new faces are required to lift Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side up after a third-place finish last year.
    Writing before Donny van de Beek’s £39million capture from Ajax was confirmed, he spoke of “four or five” signings being required.
    Neville noted: “The Manchester United squad, as it stands today, cannot challenge for the Premier League title this season.

    “The squad needed four or five improvements and it still needs four or five improvements. I’ve been saying that for a year and I’ve even nominated the positions I feel they need to improve.
    “It’s frustrating at the moment, as a United fan, that the club haven’t done their business earlier.
    “But there have been times where the club have panicked in the transfer market in the last ten years, where they’ve been reactive, where they’ve overpaid and where they’ve got it wrong. So, you have to be sensible.”

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    Man Utd target Upamecano confirms transfer talks with several clubs and says ‘we’ll see what happens’ about future

    DAYOT UPAMECANO has confirmed he has held transfer talks to leave RB Leipzig in the past – but is no rush to leave just yet.
    The centre-back was a long-time target for Arsenal, who this week welcomed Gabriel Magalhaes to the Emirates.

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    Dayot Upamecano confirmed he has held transfer talks to leave RB Leipzig in the pastCredit: The Mega Agency
    And he has also attracted recent attention from Manchester United as they seek to find a partner for captain Harry Maguire.
    But Upamecano’s immediate future appears to be with Leipzig – having signed a new deal in July.
    He said: “I extended my contract with Leipzig because I feel good with my team-mates.
    “My coach is giving me confidence. He’s learning as well, but he gives me confidence and it improves my level.

    “I’ve been in Leipzig for more than three years, I feel good.
    “I’ve been in demand, I talked to some clubs, it’s true, but I’m not in a hurry.
    “We’ll see what happens in the future.”
    Despite mounting speculation about Upamecano leaving Germany, Leipzig were quick to remind fans about his contract extension.

    Exactly a month since he penned a new three-year deal with the club, they retweeted the tweet confirming the extension and added: “ICYMI” – meaning “in case you missed it”.
    Upamecano’s new deal with the Germans has a £40million release clause that can be activated next summer. 
    United are looking to switch their attention to Upamecano once the signing of Donny van de Beek from Ajax is over the line.
    It comes as they agreed a £40m deal with the Dutch outfit, with the 23-year-old set to pen a five-year contract.

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    Fred offered Man Utd exit by Roma as Italians eye double transfer swoop for midfielder and Chris Smalling

    ROMA are reportedly eyeing an audacious double swoop for Manchester United duo Chris Smalling and Fred.
    Italian outlet TeleRadioStereo claim that the Serie A side are closing in on a deal for England star Smalling.

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    Roma are among the clubs interested in Manchester United star FredCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    The Serie A giants remain interested in signing Chris Smalling on a permanent deal
    The report adds that Roma and the Red Devils are also in talks for a potential deal involving Fred.
    Brazilian midfielder Fred fell out of favour under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after United signed Bruno Fernandes in January.
    The 27-year-old’s game time is likely to be further reduced following the arrival of Ajax ace Donny van de Beek.
    Galatasaray are among the club’s hoping to swoop for Fred but now Roma are said to be readying a loan bid with an option to buy.

    The midfielder may prefer a move to the Italian capital where he would be reunited with his former Shakhtar Donetsk manager, Paulo Fonseca.
    Smalling meanwhile impressed on loan at Roma last season and has been described as keen to extend his stay in Italy.
    He has now returned to Old Trafford but United are said to be open to his exit as Gunnar Solskjaer frees up room in his squad for new signings.
    SunSport previously reported that the Red Devils are now expecting a bid from Roma to sign the 30-year-old on a permanent deal.

    United have already begun preparing for Smalling’s departure but missed out on a move for Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes.
    The Red Devils have since been linked with a move for RB Leipzig ace Dayot Upamecano.
    The Bundesliga side are unwilling to part ways with the 21-year-old but despite this, United are said to be hopeful that a deal can be struck.

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    Man Utd’s ‘cursed’ No7 shirt still available with Van de Beek set to take 34 jersey after £40m transfer from Ajax

    DONNY VAN DE BEEK is set to dodge Manchester United’s cursed No7 shirt.
    The midfielder is expected to complete a £40million move from Ajax and is reportedly going to wear No34.

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    Manchester United are expected to announce the signing of Donny van de Beek as their new No34Credit: Getty Images – Getty

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    Borussia Dortmund’s No7 Jadon Sancho could wear the ‘cursed’ shirt if he moves to Old TraffordCredit: EPA
    The unusual shirt choice is a touching tribute to tragic Ajax pal Abdelhak Nouri.
    Nouri was wearing the 34 top when he collapsed with a cardiac arrest during a game in 2017.
    He suffered severe brain damage but has woken from his coma and is now communicating with family.
    Van de Beek’s favoured No6 is occupied by Paul Pogba at Old Trafford and many thought he would don the No7 vacated by Alexis Sanchez.

    But he is now set to avoid wearing the number synonymous with Red Devils heroes including David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Eric Cantona and George Best.
    However, the No7 has become something of a curse since 2009.
    Five men have worn the hallowed shirt in the last 11 years but with very limited success.
    Michael Owen had the unenviable task of replacing Ronaldo as United’s No7 before Antonio Valencia spent one year with seven on his back in 2012-13 but had such a tough campaign he immediately requested a switch back to No25.

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    Angel Di Maria and Memphis Depay both proved to be expensive one-season flops in the jersey.
    And Alexis Sanchez was a huge disappointment after his move from Arsenal – costing United a staggering £29,000 per TOUCH.
    But could Borussia Dortmund’s No7 Jadon Sancho be set to break the mould?
    United will not give up on signing the £110m star until he publicly reveals he wants to stay at Dortmund.
    The England star is the club’s No1 target and personal terms had been sorted but Dortmund have held firm as they bid to hang onto their prized asset.

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    Man Utd in Koulibaly transfer boost as Napoli reject City’s £53m offer and hold out on £71m for defender

    MANCHESTER UNITED were handed a transfer boost with the news Napoli reportedly rejected Manchester City’s £53million offer for Kalidou Koulibaly.
    Corriere dello Sport reports the Italian side did not consider City’s bid sufficient for their highly-rated central defender and will hold out for around £71m.

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    Manchester City have had a bid for Kalidou Koulibaly rejected by NapoliCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    And the report states Pep Guardiola’s side are not prepared to dig further into their pockets for the 29-year-old.
    The Citizens may be limited on the cash they can splash on Koulibaly with a sensational £623m contract for Argentine superstar Lionel Messi in the works.
    But it is great news for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as he looks for a long-term partner for headline-grabbing Harry Maguire.
    However, United will face competition from Champions League runners-up Paris Saint-Germain who are also poised to swoop.

    The French champs need to replace veteran Brazilian Thiago Silva after he moved to Frank Lampard’s Chelsea on a free transfer.
    The Red Devils could see the likes of Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo and Chris Smalling leave the club in this window and are looking for reinforcements at the back.
    The club are unconvinced Swede Victor Lindelof is the perfect partner for £85m Maguire.
    And they have been linked with RB Leipzig star Dayot Upamecano.

    Harry Maguire played more minutes than any other footballer in the world in 2019-20

    But it is likely they will find it difficult to snare the 21-year-old this summer after he signed a contract extension until 2023.
    And Leipzig trolled United on Twitter with a not-so-subtle reminder about the French ace’s decision to extend his time with them in the Bundesliga.
    However, Upamecano’s new deal has a release clause in the region of £40million that comes into force next summer and could spark a bidding war.

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    Man Utd could use Sergio Romero to seal Jack Grealish transfer as Aston Villa line up move for £10m keeper

    MANCHESTER UNITED could use Sergio Romero to land Jack Grealish from Aston Villa, a report has claimed.
    Borussia Dortmund superstar Jadon Sancho remains United’s No 1 transfer target.

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    Romero could be waving goodbye to Man Utd during this transfer windowCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    But Villa captain Grealish – recently called up to the England squad for the first time – is still of huge interest to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
    The Athletic say Dean Henderson’s huge new £120,000-a-week United deal will push Romero out the door.
    Romero, 33, whose contract ends next summer, was being lined up with a new one.
    But his future was placed into immediate uncertainty when Solskjaer picked David De Gea to face Chelsea at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final and Sevilla in the Europa League.

    Romero had been the go-to keeper in Europe up until that point, conceding two goals in nine games.
    The Athletic add Romero’s people felt he deserved the “respect” of being told directly his time at the club was in doubt once Henderson agreed his new deal.
    Now, with his future up in the air, Villa have shown the most interest in landing the Argentine.
    United value the keeper at £10million tops and want to use him as a “small” makeweight in a part-exchange deal for Grealish.

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    United are still keen on trying to sign Grealish from Aston VillaCredit: Rex Features

    Should that not work out then Everton and Chelsea are also said to be interested in a move.
    But the Toffees – on the brink of announcing shock signing James Rodriguez – are looking for free transfers.
    And Frank Lampard is said to want a younger keeper to challenge No 1 Kepa Arrizabalaga.

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    Man Utd ‘move ahead of Liverpool in Thiago Alcantara transfer race as club holds talks with Bayern Munich star’

    MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly made contact with Thiago Alcantara as they look to beat Liverpool to the signing of the Bayern Munich star.
    The 29-year-old, whose contract expires next summer, looks set to depart the Bavarian outfit after seven successful seasons.

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    Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara looks set to leave this summerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    It was thought that the Reds were in pole position to land the Spanish midfielder, with a four-year deal said to be on the table.
    However they may have to sell Georginio Wijnaldum to raise funds in order to make a move for Thiago.
    This has led the Red Devils to emerge as another potential destination for the £27million man.
    And in a series of tweets, Norwegian reporter Fredrik A. N. Filtvedt, who works for Dagbladet TV, has stated that United have stepped up their pursuit of the player.

    He has claimed that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are looking to pip Liverpool to Thiago’s signature, but his wage demands could be an issue.
    GO GET HIM
    With the club closing in on the signing of Donny van de Beek, United are desperate to bring in another marquee midfielder.
    He said: “Hear that United – in addition to Van de Beek – are interested in Thiago.
    “Liverpool’s financial situation apparently means that they have to sell before they can buy (Thiago).

    “United come late to the party here, but in that sense it is possible to coup Thiago.

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    “The latest news is that there has been a dialogue between United and Thiago, but that the Spaniard’s wage demands should be too high.”
    Thiago joined Bayern from Barcelona in 2013, where he has scored 31 goals in 235 games.
    In addition to the Champions League, he has won the Bundesliga title seven times and the German Cup on four occasions.

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