MANCHESTER UNITED are closing in on the signing of Raphael Varane from Real Madrid.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has also confirmed that the club are in discussions with Paul Pogba over a new contract, but the Frenchman could reportedly be on his way to Real Madrid.
And the Red Devils are also convinced they can land Saul Niguez from Atletico Madrid, according to reports.
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Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
- Giacomo Pisa
AU REVOIR LACA
Arsenal will not be offering a new contract to Alex Lacazette and are inviting bids for their former record signing reports The Sun's Mark Irwin.
French international Lacazette, 30, is now in the final year of his £175,000-a-week Emirates deal and will become a free agent next summer.
But the club have decided against extending the striker’s stay after previously being panicked into handing huge pay rises to Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Now they are trying to find a buyer willing to pay a fee in the region of £15million as well as Lacazette’s substantial salary.
- Giacomo Pisa
MARTIAL ON THE MOVE?
Jadon Sancho's arrival at Manchester United may have paved the way for Anthony Martial to exit Old Trafford according to The Daily Star.
United are keen to recoup as much money as possible after Sancho's £73million move and value Martial at as much as £50million.
Spurs are said to be interested in the Frenchman should Harry Kane leave the club, but Martial's wage demands are said to be more than the North London outfit are willing to pay.
- Giacomo Pisa
READY FOR RAPHA
Manchester United are edging ever-closer to the transfer of Real Madrid centre back Raphael Varane.
The Express are reporting that talks are progressing well between Manchester United and Real Madrid officials over a £39million move.
Varane signed for Los Blancos back in 2011 and has played 360 times for the club.
In a glittering period at Madrid, the defender has won three LaLiga titles, the Copa del Rey and four Champions Leagues.
During that time he has also won the 2018 World Cup with France where he was named in the team of the tournament.
It would be a major coup for United and add some defensive steel in the backline alongside Red Devils skipper Harry Maguire.
- Giacomo Pisa
MAYBE MERIH
Juventus centre back Merih Demiral is a target for Borussia Dortmund according to Fabrizio Romano.
Romano reports that Juve have set an asking price of £30million for the 23-year-old Turkish international.
Both Manchester United and Arsenal have previously been linked with Demiral but it is Borussia Dortmund who look set to pounce.
- Joshua Mbu
KHAL ME BRUNO
Tunisia's teenage taekwondo sensation Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi took home a silver medal on his Olympics debut in Tokyo, writes ETIENNE FERMIE.
And he also turned heads with his resemblance to Manchester United talisman Bruno Fernandes.
After narrowly losing out on points in the final of the taekwondo 58kg event, a beIN Sports reporter asked him about his famous lookalike.
But rather than agree with the suggestion Jendoubi, 19, claimed that he looks more like a certain former Arsenal ace.
He said: "I think I look more like Ozil."
Jendoubi may not quite have the following of the Portuguese or German stars just yet.
But his performances in Tokyo will have had Olympics aficionados taking note.
- Joshua Mbu
DOUBLE JABBED
Premier League matches with over 20,000 fans in the ground may be restricted to fully-vaccinated people from October 2021.
The Government is believed to be extending the use of vaccine passports from nightclubs to potentially sports venues.
A Government source told the PA news agency: “It’s important that fans can continue to watch sporting events over the autumn, which is why we’re exploring the role vaccines might play in this.
“This will not only allow full capacity stadiums but has the added bonus of incentivising people of all ages to go and get their jab.”
- Joshua Mbu
TRIBUTE TAT
Jadon Sancho has revealed the meaning behind the ink.
With his favourite tattoo, located on his right forearm, being in memory of his late younger brother who passed away when he was younger.
Speaking to MUTV, Sancho explained: "This is my first one but this one is the most meaningful one because my little brother passed away when he was younger.
"And when I was in primary school I wrote a poem that I read at the funeral.
"So this one is definitely my most meaningful one.
"The rest around it are birds, heaven, an angel, a butterfly and then I have my sister's and my brother's initials.
"And then here I kind of freestyled because I liked comics when I was younger."
- Joshua Mbu
SUPER SAUL
Manchester United are convinced that they can sign Saul Niguez from Atletico Madrid.
The Spanish midfielder is reportedly available for just £45million this summer.
According to the Daily Mail, United feel they can prise Saul from Atletico's clutches.
But they would face stiff competition from a host of top European clubs, including Liverpool and Bayern Munich.
- Joshua Mbu
SANCHO SIGNS
Man Utd can now FOLLOW Jadon Sancho after the winger signed for the club.
- Joshua Mbu
HOOPED!
Manchester United were mocked by Queens Park Rangers fans chanting 'Can we play you every week?' and 'Ole's at the wheel' during a stunning pre-season friendly on Saturday, writes DYLAN TERRY.
The Hoops scored three goals in six second half minutes to thump the Red Devils 4-2 at Loftus Road.
The QPR fans in the stadium were in such a jubilant mood that they began taunting Man Utd with the famous football tunes.
They first began with jovially asking them whether they could play them every week.
And the QPR supporters then went on to mock United manager Solskjaer, who had to witness his side's dreadful afternoon.
Man Utd embarrassed as QPR fans sing ‘Ole’s at the wheel’ in pre-season friendly
- Joshua Mbu
DAN'S THE MAN
Leeds United are eyeing Man Utd's Dan James as a cheaper alternative to Club Brugge's Noa Lang.
Marcelo Bielsa wants to bolster his attacking options, but the Belgian club are not keen on letting the 22-year-old go.
And according to the Daily Mail, Leeds have reignited their interest in James.
James almost joined Leeds from Swansea City, but saw the move collapse on deadline day in 2019.
- Joshua Mbu
SPECIAL SANCHO
Man Utd newboy Jadon Sancho will get fans off their seats, that's for sure!
- Joshua Mbu
'JESSE HAS IMPRESSED ME'
Man Utd legend Andy Cole has said thast he has been impressed by Jesse Lingard.
Cole watched the game against QPR as a pundit for MUTV and picked out Lingard for his goal scoring performance.
He said: "Jesse has impressed me.
"I think Jesse has come back with that bit between his teeth. He has got the goal, but it is not just about the goal – it is his work rate as well.
“I think his work rate can become infectious.
"He is putting himself about, getting in the right areas – and getting himself a goal as well.”
- Joshua Mbu
BARC-ING MAD
Barcelona have joined the race to sign Man Utd forward Anthony Martial.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have been watching Martial for some time.
The 25-year-old would add some much needed pace and firepower to Barca's frontline.
And if he was to join, he'd be linking up with fellow international team-mates Griezmann, Dembele and Lenglet.
- Joshua Mbu
DAL'S OUT
AC Milan remain interested in re-signing Man Utd right-back Diogo Dalot on loan.
Dalot spent last season on loan at the Serie A giants and even played against his parent club, United, in the Europa League.
But Milan were defeated over the two legs.
According to Calciomercato, the Red Devils want a loan fee amounting to just under £4milllion.
And United want an option to buy in the deal.
Credit: AFP
- Joshua Mbu
NO MAR TIME
Man Utd could sell Anthony Martial after completing the signing of Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund.
Sancho joined United for a whopping £73million.
And with Martial failing to fire on all cylinders, he could be on his way out of Old Trafford.
According to the Daily Star, Martial faces a big fight to force his way back into first team contention.
And would want to receive a fee worth £50m for the Frenchman, with Tottenham interested.
- Joshua Mbu
GOR BLIMEY
Leon Goretzka could be an ideal replacement for contract rebel Paul Pogba.
- Jake Lambourne
ED’S UP
Man Utd executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has revealed why Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been handed a new deal.
He said: “Ole and his staff have worked tirelessly putting the foundations in place for long-term success on the pitch.
“The results of that have become increasingly visible over the past two seasons and we are all looking forward to seeing this exciting team develop further in the years ahead.
“What is especially pleasing is the way this progress has been achieved with a blend of young, homegrown talent and top-class recruits, playing attacking football in the best traditions of Manchester United.
“We are more confident than ever that, under Ole’s leadership, we are heading in the right direction.”
- Jake Lambourne
HAVE TO LEARN
Nemanja Matic – who captained Manchester United against QPR this afternoon – has called on United’s youngsters to learn their lesson from Saturday's 4-2 defeat.
He told MUTV: “Yeah they will remember.
“For some of these guys maybe their first or second game for Manchester United at senior football.
“They want to remember this. It is a great experience for them and I wish them all the best in the future.
“They saw today what they have to do in serious football, so it is a good start for them and we will see what they are able to do in the future.”
- Jake Lambourne
MORNING MAN UTD FANS
Prime United target Raphael Varane has had showdown talks with Real Madrid – and Old Trafford chiefs are fighting to keep Paul Pogba.
That's the stand-out transfer gossip surrounding United, along with claims they will keep Brighton and Leeds target Daniel James.
Varane has reportedly discussed his Real future with boss Carlo Ancelotti as United step up their hunt for the France centre-back
It's claimed the 28-year-old has already agreed personal terms with Old Trafford officials after being offered 'astronomical' wages.
But the size of the transfer fee remains an obstacle as Varane enters the final year of his contract.
Meanwhile United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists Pogba has never even hinted to him he wants to leave.
It's been suggested France midfielder Pogba had rejected a new contract and was close to a £45million switch to PSG.
But Solskjaer said: “The talks are ongoing between Paul’s representatives and the club’s representatives.
“All that I’ve ever heard with Paul is he’s looking forward to the season.
“We’ve seen Paul at his best, Paul knows what we feel about it and I’ve enjoyed my time working with him and hopefully we can continue working together."
Lastly, Welsh winger James is tipped to stay despite Jadon Sancho's £73m arrival – partly due to Marcus Rashford's injury.
- Kealan Hughes
THAT'S YOUR LOTTI
Raphael Varane reportedly met with Carlo Ancelotti for showdown talks about his Real Madrid future as he reported for pre-season on Friday.
The French defender turned up at Madrid's training camp at Valdebebas following his participation at Euro 2020 as he pushes for a move to Manchester United.
Varane has agreed personal terms with the Old Trafford club with United offering him 'astronomical' wages, but the clubs are still to reach an agreement over a transfer fee.
AS claim Varane, who has one year left on his current deal, was hoping Ancelotti would help convince the Madrid hierarchy to offer him an improved contract extension, closer to the terms that United have tabled, suggesting he has not ruled out staying in Spain.
But that is not how the meeting materialised whatsoever as the former Everton manager backed his employer's stance that they are not going to up their initial offer.
- Kealan Hughes
TRAFFIC JAM-ES
Manchester United plan to keep Dan James and frustrate his fan club in the rest of the Premier League.
Brighton and Leeds both want the Welsh flier and will look at a buy or a loan for the season to add his pace to their sides.
The £73million signing of Jadon Sancho pushes James another rung down the first-team ladder, to raise the hopes of clubs on his trail.
But Old Trafford chief Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reluctant to let James go, partly because Marcus Rashford may miss a chunk of the start of the campaign through injury.
And Man Utd could even hand James, 23, a new contract to keep him happy as a squad man and reward him for staying in the camp.
- Kealan Hughes
NO MAR CHANCES
Manchester United want to sell Anthony Martial following the arrival of Jadon Sancho, report the Daily Star.
The France ace, 25, has struggled to command regular first-team football under Reds manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
And United's £72million capture of England winger Sancho, 21, which was completed on Friday, makes Martial very much surplus to requirements going into the 2021-2022 campaign.
United want to off-load the ex-Monaco man as soon as possible in order to start recouping some of the money being blown on Sancho and others this summer.
Tottenham are said to be interested but, even if willing to match the £50m fee wanted by United, the forward’s £250,000 weekly wages would be a massive stumbling block
- Kealan Hughes
'THE WAIT IS FINALLY OVER'
Jadon Sancho has revealed his relief at finally completing his long-awaited move to Manchester United.
The Red Devils first tried to buy the England winger last year and only confirmed the switch this week after months of negotiations.
Sancho posted a snap of him in the new United home shirt on Twitter and he is clearly delighted to finally call himself a Red.
- Kealan Hughes
'NOT AFRAID OF ANYTHING'
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is excited about the future of Manchester United teenager Anthony Elanga, hinting that the forward could stay at the club this season rather than head out on loan.
Elanga scored in the defeat to QPR and after the match Solskjaer said:: "
"It would be easier to say the boy should go on loan but he’s doing so well.
"He’s electric, his pace, his skill, he’s not afraid of anything. He’s got the courage, the bravery of a Man Utd player.
"Today he created chances for others, created chances for himself, scored a good goal on his most difficult opportunity.
"I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s going to be staying here. It depends, we know it’s important for him to develop and get game time but at the moment we’ve not really decided.
"If he keeps on like he is, we might want to keep him."
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