Man Utd 'finalise' transfer agreement with one detail remaining, Liverpool, Arsenal latest

Dayot Upamecano Man Utd transfer development

Manchester United have set their sights on Dayot Upamecano as an alternative transfer target to Kalidou Koulibaly.

Upamecano was identified as one to watch by United in 2016 and he visited the club’s Carrington HQ before deciding to join Red Bull Salzburg.

They could get lucky at the second time of asking but face intense competition from four Premier League rivals.

Arsenal hold a long-term interest in Upamecano but their financial limitations are likely to rule them out of the race. Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur are also in the race, according to France Football.

Harry Kane transfer concern

Manchester United must ensure Harry Kane is fully fit if they attempt to sign him in the next transfer window, according to former Arsenal midfielder Stewart Robson.

Robson cites the example of Paul Pogba, who he claims was not fully fit when United signed him for a then world-record transfer fee of £89million in 2016, which affected his start at Old Trafford.

“Paul Pogba when he first went to Manchester United wasn’t fully fit, they thrust him into the team and he didn’t play well for the first six or seven weeks and everybody moaned and said it’s not a good signing,” he said on ESPN FC.

“Harry Kane has to be fully fit if he is to go anywhere, and particularly Manchester United.”

Wanted: Jorginho

Maurizio Sarri wants to be reunited with Jorginho at Juventus.

That’s according to Alfredo Pedulla, who claims Sarri would prefer to sign Jorginho ahead of his Chelsea colleague N’Golo Kante.

Sarri brought the Italian midfielder to Stamford Bridge with him on the same day he was appointed manager in July 2018 for an initial £50million.

And it’s suggested Jorginho could once again follow his former boss with Juventus prepared to offer Federico Bernardeschi as a makeweight in any deal.

Pablo Mari deal

Arsenal are set to make Pablo Mari’s move from Flamengo permanent in the summer with Mikel Arteta keen to have a left-footed centre-back in his squad.

The 26-year-old Spaniard has thus far only played twice, keeping clean sheets in an FA Cup win over Portsmouth and a Premier League win over West Ham.

But he fared well in those matches and according to The Athletic, Arsenal are highly likely to turn Mari’s move to the Emirates into a permanent switch.

David Ornstein reported on The Ornstein and Chapman podcast that a deal will cost the north London club in the region of £10million.

Luca Waldschmidt clarity

Freiburg sporting director Klemens Hartenbach has provided an update on speculation surrounding Chelsea’s pursuit of Luca Waldschmidt.

The Blues have been linked with a £20million raid for the 23-year-old, who has scored 15 goals and provided five assists in 48 appearances for Bundesliga side Freiburg.

Waldschmidt has been capped three times for Germany, with his most recent appearance coming in November’s European Championship qualifier against Belarus.

But while Hartenbach admits there are several interested parties, Chelsea haven’t made official contact.

“It is clear that Luca is rightly interesting for other clubs,” the Freiburg chief told Bild. “But in that case, there has been no contact. We don’t know anything about it.”

Philippe Coutinho transfer

Chelsea are closing in on Barcelona ace Philippe Coutinho.

The playmaker’s agent has talked up a return to the Premier League ahead of the summer window with Chelsea, Everton and Manchester United interested in the 27-year-old.

And according to Spanish newspaper Sport, Chelsea are close to signing Coutinho.

They say the Blues are locked in talks over the former Liverpool star with Barcelona demanding £79million for his signature – but Chelsea have no intention of meeting their asking price.

Coutinho, should he arrive at Stamford Bridge, would represent Frank Lampard’s second summer signing after Hakim Ziyech was signed for an initial £35million.

Fabian Ruiz swap deal

Real Madrid are preparing an audacious swap deal to sign Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz.

Several European sides including Barcelona have been tracking the Spain international, who has impressed since arriving in Naples from Real Betis in July 2018.

Zinedine Zidane would like to bring Ruiz, 24, back to his native Spain and is prepared to offer striker Luka Jovic plus cash in exchange, according to Goal.

Jovic has managed just two goals since joining for an initial £55million and Real Madrid are losing patience with the Serbia forward.

The Spanish giants believe they can still recoup £44m for the 22-year-old, who has attracted attention from Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea.

£52m Issa Diop

Tottenham had earmarked West Ham’s Issa Diop as a top target heading into the summer transfer window, but they have bulked at the £52million price-tag the Hammers have set.

Spurs had been planning to make several changes to their squad this summer with the backline a particular area of interest for Mourinho.

But, according to Football Insider, that might be as far as Tottenham go due to West Ham’s high asking price.

It is stated the Hammers are not willing to let the Frenchman leave for anything less than £52m – more than double what West Ham paid to sign him two years ago.

The report goes on to state Tottenham are unlikely to spend big in the summer transfer window due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Newcastle candidates

Newcastle have four managerial candidates lined up to replace Steve Bruce.

The Toon are close to a £300million sale with Saudi prince Mohammed Bin Salman Al Saud bankrolling the deal and major plans are already in the pipeline.

Newcastle have been tipped to spend £200m in the transfer window if their takeover goes through, while Bruce’s job is also said to be in doubt.

And journalist Manu Lonjon says a list of four replacements have been found.

“Of the first meetings which have just taken place concerning the future coach of Newcastle, 4 names would be in the shortlist: Rafa Benitez, Mauricio Pochettino, Massimiliano Allegri, Lucien Favre,” Manu tweeted.

Ben Chilwell pursuit

Chelsea will ‘ramp up’ their pursuit of Leicester defender Ben Chilwell.

The Daily Star claim Frank Lampard’s side have decided to intensify their efforts to sign the England international after reports Paris Saint-Germain are closing in on Porto’s Alex Telles.

Telles was considered a cheaper alternative to Chilwell but Brazilian outlet Gauchazh say PSG want him to replace Arsenal-linked Layvin Kurzawa.

It’s thought Leicester will demand around £60million for their sought-after 23-year-old – three times more than Telles’ valuation.

Alassane Plea interest

Manchester United are monitoring Borussia Monchengladbach forward Alassane Plea.

Plea, 27, was supposedly of interest to Barcelona during their pursuit of an emergency striker to replace injured duo Ousmane Dembele and Luis Suarez before opting for Martin Braithwaite.

The once-capped France international has managed 23 goals and provided 12 assists for the Bundesliga side and his performances have now attracted attention from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Express.de claim Plea is on United’s radar and could be signed for a modest £20million.

Nelson Semedo sale

Barcelona have decided to offload defender Nelson Semedo.

Semedo arrived at the Nou Camp from Benfica in July 2017 and has made 111 appearances for the La Liga champions.

And though Spanish newspaper Sport claim manager Quique Setien is happy with the player – he could be offloaded because of financial uncertainty caused by the coronavirus.

Sport claim Barcelona could use funds generated by Semedo’s departure to finance deals for priority targets Neymar and Lautaro Martinez.

Manchester United are thought to have shown interest in the 26-year-old, who has an £87million release clause, and Barcelona will ‘pass any decent offers’ to his agent Jorge Mendes.

Kristoffer Ajer talks

Arsenal are trying to sign Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer and talks are underway.

Ajer, 22, has made 129 appearances for Celtic since arriving from Norwegian side IK Start for a bargain £450,000 in 2016.

And journalist Nicolo Schira claims Mikel Arteta’s side have been impressed with the 14-capped Norway international, whose contract runs until June 2022.

“AC Milan, Arsenal and Leicester are all interested in signing Celtic centre-back Kristoffer Ajer. Talks ongoing,” Schira tweeted.

Ajer, should he join Arsenal, would represent the Gunners’ second signing from Celtic in 12 months after the £25million arrival of Kieran Tierney.

Odsonne Edouard to Arsenal

Arsenal are leading the £25million race to land Celtic hitman Odsonne Edouard as they look to replace Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The Gunners are set to sell the experienced duo this summer and former Paris Saint-Germain youngster Edouard is at the top of their wanted list.

Edouard, 22, has scored 62 goals in 126 appearances for Celtic and has got several big European clubs mentoring his progress.

The French under-21 international has got both Lille and Lyon interested in taking him back to France while Borussia Dortmund and Red Bull Leipzig have also watched him.

But The Gunners head the queue of clubs which also includes Everton who want to bolster their front line this summer.

Read the full article here.

Joao Felix discussions

Manchester United have established contact over a move for Atletico Madrid sensation Joao Felix.

Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believe the club can exploit the transfer market which looks set to be affected by the financial impact of the coronavirus crisis.

The bulk of his budget looks set to go on Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho but that does not appear to have put them off exploring a swoop for Felix, who became one of the most expensive players in history when he joined Atletico Madrid from Benfica for €126million (£113m) last summer.

According to Le 10 Sport, the Premier League giants have now established contact with intermediaries including super agent Jorge Mendes after internal discussions.

Felix is the second Atletico Madrid player that United have been linked with in recent weeks after claims midfielder Saul Niguez is also on Solskjaer’s radar.

Marco van Ginkel future

Netherlands midfielder Marco van Ginkel has urged Chelsea to make a decision on his future.

Van Ginkel joined Chelsea in 2013 from Vitesse but has managed just four first-team appearances in seven years with the west London club.

The 27-year-old spent the entire 2019/20 campaign recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury but is now nearing full fitness again.

However, with his contract set to expire in June – Van Ginkel still hasn’t been contacted by Chelsea or Frank Lampard.

“I have no idea what is going to happen. Chelsea should let me know what it plans to do next month. I’ll call them in a few weeks,” he told Voetbal International.

“No, seriously: I don’t know. Due to the current crisis, it may just be that a lot is changing in terms of contracts and salaries in football. These are uncertain times for many people. We’ll just wait and see. They can also think; we have invested a lot in that boy and now he is finally fit. Let’s keep him.”