Gossip: Man United go from Griezmann to…
FROM GRIEZMANN TO…
With the leak from Manchester United that they no longer want Antoine Griezmann (classic ‘didn’t fancy her anyway’ stuff), Friday’s newspapers are full of nuggets on where United go next.
The Daily Mirror go big on the claim that United are interested in signing Alexandre Lacazette, after the striker’s move to Atletico Madrid fell through on account of their transfer ban being upheld.
The Daily Express say that Romelu Lukaku is now United’s main target, with the obvious Mino Raiola connection strengthening that claim. Still, is Mourinho really going to spend £80m on a striker that he allowed to leave for £28m not that long ago?
Further afield, Goal say that United could move for Werder Bremen’s Max Kruse, Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio says that Alvaro Morata and Kylian Mbappe are on their radar and Torino’s Andrea Belotti’s name keeps being mentioned.
It’s going to be a long summer.
SOUTHAMPTON WANT £70M FOR VAN DIJK
Every summer we wonder whether this is the transfer window where prices really get silly. With Sunderland receiving more money for finishing bottom of the Premier League than Leicester City did for winning it, maybe we’re finally there.
And that’s how you have Southampton reportedly asking for £70m for Virgil van Dijk, a fee that would make him the most expensive defender in the game’s history by a full £20m. It does make you giggle.
The Daily Mirror report that Southampton have slapped the fee on Van Dijk in a bid to keep him, but the reality is that, with plenty of interested parties, it is worth them quoting silly money. The likelihood is that £50m still gets it done.
NEWCASTLE HAVE A LONG LIST
If you believe what’s written in the papers, Rafa Benitez and Newcastle United are not p*ssing about this summer. Deep breath:
The Daily Mail says that Newcastle have missed out on Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina, but are closing in on a deal to sign Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham on a season-long loan deal. That would mean Newcastle have pipped Brighton and Leicester to Abraham.
The Sun claim that Newcastle have joined Valencia in the race (hopefully a slow one) to sign Eliaquim Mangala from Manchester City, and also want to sign Fernando from the same club. They also report that Benitez is interested in Sporting defender Ruben Semedo on a £15m deal.
AND THE REST
Everton and Watford are leading the chase for Le Havre’s highly-rated left-back Ferland Mendy… Liverpool have had a £28million bid for Mohamed Salah rejected by Roma… Chelsea believe they can fend off Manchester United for Tiemoue Bakayoko… Chelsea are lining up a sensational bid for Juventus full-back Alex Sandro… West Ham’s summer wishlist includes Southampton’s Dusan Tadic, Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho and Chelsea’s Michy Batshuayi… Everton are weighing up a £20million double move for Arsenal striker Lucas Perez and Malaga’s highly-rated Sandro… Sean Dyche wants to take over at Crystal Palace next season… Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea are set to test Celtic with concrete summer moves for £30million-rated striker Moussa Dembele.
