Paper Talk: Man Utd to meet £80m asking price for top Solskjaer target; Ronaldo commits to stunning summer switch
Manchester United have opened negotiations to land Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s top target in an £80m deal, while Cristiano Ronaldo is willing to making a stunning summer switch, according to Friday’s transfer gossip.
MAND UTD FINALLY GET THEIR MAN
Manchester United have reportedly opened negotiations with Borussia Dortmund to sign Jadon Sancho and are ready to meet the asking price.
The long-running transfer saga has dragged on for almost two years. But The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell claims that the Red Devils are now very confident of getting the deal done, even before the upcoming Euros gets underway.
Whitwell said: “Negotiations have begun in earnest over a price for the 21-year-old and United have been given encouragement that Borussia Dortmund will accept a lower amount than last summer’s asking price.
“Discussions stalled 12 months ago when Dortmund demanded €120 million (£110 million) for the England winger, without room for manoeuvre. But multiple sources report a willingness to find a solution this time around.
“There is still work to be done on the fee, with the two clubs apart on valuation at this stage.
“It is believed United are prepared to commit £80 million – a total that was initially communicated in Germany as being amenable to Dortmund.
“But the Bundesliga side are said to be holding out for an additional £20 million in achievable add-ons. That is not an insignificant gap.”
The potential arrival of Sancho, who has already agreed personal terms, would fill Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s need for a new right-winger, although a centre-back and a new midfielder are also on his wanted list.
However, one player who looks unlikely to make the switch to Old Trafford is Kieran Trippier.
United wanted the England man to compete with Aaron Wan-Bissaka for the right-back spot. But Trippier has decided he wants to remain with LaLiga champions Atletico Madrid instead.
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RONALDO COMMITS TO PSG SWITCH
PSG are in talks with Cristiano Ronaldo over a sensational summer transfer – with the Juventus forward ‘welcoming’ the approach. (The Sun)
Gareth Southgate is facing a mounting England injury crisis a week before the Euros as it is feared crocked duo Jordan Henderson and Harry Maguire may miss all of the tournament. (The Sun)
Arsenal and Aston Villa have made official bids for Norwich’s £40m-rated winger Emi Buendia. (The Sun)
Tottenham are closing in on Antonio Conte after hitting a brick wall in their bid to bring back ex-boss Mauricio Pochettino. (The Sun)
Arsenal remain fully confident Emile Smith Rowe will sign a new deal at the Emirates despite reported interest from Aston Villa. (The Sun)
Chelsea’s search for a new striker has suffered a blow after Romelu Lukaku claimed he will stay at Inter Milan on Belgian television. (Daily Telegraph)
Tottenham are growing increasingly confident they are closing in on the appointment of Antonio Conte as the club’s latest permanent head coach. (Daily Telegraph)
BAYERN AGREE TO SIGN MAN UTD TARGET
Bayern Munich have reportedly agreed to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez for £68m this summer. (Daily Mail)
Chelsea have joined the race to sign £70m-rated Inter Milan star Achraf Hakimi. (Daily Mail)
Theo Walcott believes Sol Campbell deserves to have a statue built outside the Emirates Stadium for everything he achieved at Arsenal. (Daily Mail)
Martin Odegaard believes Carlo Ancelotti’s return to Real Madrid is a good thing for the club despite the Italian’s comments six years ago describing his arrival as a ‘PR exercise’. (Daily Mail)
Lazio are reportedly considering appointing former Leyton Orient manager Fabio Liverani, who lasted just 27 games and was in charge when the club were relegated to League Two. (Daily Mail)
Manchester United are in the market for four new signings this summer – and none of them are strikers. (Daily Star)
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NUNO SET FOR EVERTON JOB
Everton are ready to offer former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo a three-year contract. (Daily Star)
Liverpool have reportedly moved ahead of the queue to sign Leeds winger Raphinha, but face strong competition for his signature. (Daily Express)
Jordan Henderson has been told it “will be a real bonus” if he is fit in time for the Euros. (Daily Mirror)
League Two club Stevenage have sold 13-year-old Leke Drake to Manchester City in a deal estimated to be worth £450,000. (Daily Mirror)
Celtic are braced for a big-money Norwich bid for Kristoffer Ajer. (Scottish Sun)
AEK Athens could be willing to waive part of Vasilis Barkas’ transfer fee to cut a quick deal for Olivier Ntcham. (Scottish Sun)
AND MORE GOSSIP
Ivory Coast forward Wilfried Zaha has told Crystal Palace that he wants to leave, ideally before pre-season training starts. (The Times)
Arsenal have confirmed Martin Odegaard will be among the players to leave the club this summer. (The Times)
A controversial “agreement” between West Ham United and West Brom that saw Robert Snodgrass omitted from January’s meeting will not be punished by the Premier League. (The Times)
Ange Postecoglou is set to be confirmed as Celtic manager early next week after successful compensation talks between the Parkhead club and Yokohama F Marinos, the Australian’s current employers. (The Times)
Rangers and Celtic have both tabled bids for Elsborg star Joseph Okumu. But it’s French sides Lorient and Reims who appear to be leading the way for the towering Kenyan. (Daily Record)
Celtic have been warned they could be hammered by UEFA if they try to bend the rules to get Ange Postecoglou into the dug-out without a Pro Licence. (Daily Record)
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