Manchester United transfer news LIVE: Jadon Sancho, Ousmane Dembele, Amad Traore - plus Premier League latest
Time is running out for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to add quality before the deadline
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The situation surrounding Ousmane Dembele is fast developing. After initially appearing to be a contingency or even a rumour designed to heighten pressure on Borussia Dortmund concerning Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho interest, the French winger is now having doubts about his future at the Nou Camp. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants a new winger before next Monday’s deadline that much is clear, and if Dembele is eager to move to Old Trafford, then the price and affordability will be considerably better than the Sancho deal.
Previous alternatives have been Watford’s Ismaila Sarr, while Edinson Cavani and now Luka Jovic - the Real Madrid striker who is eager to leave the Bernabeu - represent new options as No 9s. Dayot Upamecano could become available after RB Leizpig took major steps towards signing a new centre-back, is a compelling target too, but time will likely run out on such a deal. Then there have been shock talks of a move for N’Golo Kante from Chelsea - though his wages could become an issue.
Reports in Croatia suggest a £17m deal has been agreed for Dinamo Zagreb’s Josko Gvardiol, meaning Leipzig have a ready-made replacement should United capture Upamecano. While exits at Old Trafford remain intriguing with Sergio Romero a potential signing for Everton with Carlo Ancelotti unhappy with Jordan Pickford. Lazio could take Juan Mata and Andres Pereira off United as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to trim down his squad. Follow all the latest news, rumours and done deals below.
SMALLING DEAL HITS PROBLEMS
The deal between Roma and Manchester United to bring Chris Smalling back to Rome appears on the brink of collapse, again.
Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio reports that today’s meeting between Roma and intermediaries representing United didn’t go as hoped, and there is a lack of optimism that a deal can be rubber stamped with only three days left of the transfer window.
At this stage it’s not clear what the problem is in the negotiations.
It was thought that a deal was close to being agreed for €16m plus bonuses.
Manchester United have hardened their stance on player departures, reports Fabrizio Romano.
United have found it notoriously difficult to offload players in recent years, often barely making back any of the money they splurged on the same players.
Speaking to the website Utdreport.co.uk, Romano says United’s director have changed their approach in relation to the selling of players.
Yes, for sure Manchester United are changing their mentality.
They want their price so they say ‘If you pay, you get the player. If you don’t, the player stays’.
I think it’s good because in different times players like Chris Smalling could have left the club on loan in June or July, and now they are going to get the money they asked for in the last few days.
That’s why I think it’s a good way to negotiate for Manchester United. Something is going to change about the mentality of the club about players who are going to leave the club.
I expect Smalling to leave on just a permanent deal when Roma submit their new bid, but there are good chances to see Smalling come back to Roma.
The same with Diogo Dalot – Roma and AC Milan want him on loan but Manchester United would just him just on a permanent deal. This is the new mentality of the club.
LAZIO SIGN PEREIRA
Lazio have officially announced the signing of midfielder Andreas Pereira from Manchester United.
Pereira has joined the biancocelesti on a season-long loan, with the option to buy set at €27m.
Pereira was a first-team regular under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the first half of last season, but lost his place due to the arrival of Bruno Fernandes.
RASHFORD RECALLS LUKAKU GENEROSITY
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has shared a story about Romelu Lukaku in light of United being pitted together with Paris Saint-Germain in this season’s Champions League group stage.
The two sides clashed in the Round of 16 in 2018/19, and Rashford recalls what happened in the match:
“Let me tell you a little story about Romelu Lukaku," Rashford said on Twitter. "We are playing PSG in the second leg of the Champions League, with little little hope of qualifying. 2-0 down on agg. 2 mins in, Rom scores. 30 mins in, Rom scores. We need one more goal to qualify. 94th min – penalty…
“Rom steps up picks up the ball and hands it to me. He knew this was my moment. He knew it would be me that got all news coverage for scoring that penalty and he was ok with that, ignoring the fact that he was the most instrumental part of that win.
“That tells you all you need to know about Romelu Lukaku Selfless, a team player… Never afraid to dim his light for others to shine. That’s my brother and I appreciate him.”
NO REVENGE FOR MOURINHO
Jose Mourinho inists he isn’t out for ‘revenge’ when current side Tottenham meet Manchester United on Sunday in the Premier League.
Mourinho managed United for two years, before getting sacked in December 2018 after guiding the club to the Europa League and the League Cup in 2016/17.
Speaking at his press conference ahead of the clash today, Mourinho dismissed notions he wants revenge.
“What's that? Revenge? I won so many times at Old Trafford as Man United coach and as an opponent coach," he said.
“Revenge for what? Nobody treated me badly there, everyone was so nice to me, I don't have enemies there, I don't have bad feelings.
“Revenge for what? It's just a football match I want to win.”
UNITED BOSS CONFIRMS MATA STAY
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed that Juan Mata will be staying at the club this season.
It was believed that Mata would leave the club earlier in the transfer window, but that now seems unlikely.
Mata was instrumental in United’s Carabao Cup win against Brighton on Wednesday night, and Solskjaer commented on Mata during his press conference ahead of their clash against Tottenham this weekend.
"He created more or less every moment in this game that was of the highest quality.”
“He is a very valuable member of the squad and a top professional.”
“He is an example for everyone to look at, how you conduct yourself and how you perform when you get the chance.”
Asked whether the Spaniard will leave, Solskjaer replied:
“We have not discussed that one at all. You can see the quality he brings and the composure.”
SCHOLES SLAMS SOUTHGATE FOR GREENWOOD OMISSION
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has slammed Gareth Southgate for excluding current United player Mason Greenwood from the latest England squad.
Greenwood, in addition to Man City’s Phil Foden, invited women into their hotel room whilst on international duty in Iceland, breaking COVID-19 rules in the process, and were sent home after the fixture against Iceland.
Southgate feels that this was not punishment enough and has left them out for the next three games, but Scholes believes this wasn’t the correct decision.
“Two of the best young talents in world football did wrong and have already served their punishment, but England are clearly so blessed with creativity and brilliant goal scorers that we might as well leave them out and punish them and the team again,’” Scholes wrote on Instagram.
MILAN CONSIDER SECOND DALOT ATTEMPT
Milan could make another attempt to sign Manchester United left-back Diogo Dalot, should they sell Andrea Conti.
Italian outlet Il Corriere dello Sport state that Milan have made an enquiry into taking Dalot on loan this season, but United rejected the approach as they want a permanent deal.
Now it seems Milan could return for Dalot should they sell their current second-choice right-back Conti.
Milan would thereby have the capital needed to buy Dalot on a permanent basis.
UNITED NOT LINING UP OCAMPOS BID
Manchester United are not lining up for a bid, contrary to prior reports.
Stretty News reports that ESPN’s claim that United were contemplating making a move for the Argentine are completely wide of the mark.
Ocampos is currently at Europa League holders Sevilla and it was thought that a bid in the region of £36m would satisfy the Spanish side into letting the player leave.
UNITED BID FOR ITALIAN WINGER REJECTED
Manchester United have seen a bid for Fiorentina winger Federico Chiesa rejected, according to The Telegraph.
United are on the hunt for a right winger, and with a move for Jadon Sancho looking uncreasingly unlikely, they are assessing alternatives.
This has led them to Chiesa, and The Telegraph reports that the Italian side let it be known that they would agree to a deal if United match their £45m price tag for the 23-year-old.
It’s thought that United failed to offer what Fiorentina demanded, and their offer was rejected.
United have also been reportedly interested in Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele as a Sancho alternative.
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