Gossip: Man Utd to pair Fernandes and Maddison; Arsenal deal done

Ian Watson

MAN UTD STILL WANT MADDISON
Manchester United’s pursuit of Bruno Fernandes won’t affect their drive to sign James Maddison. Oh no. According to the Evening Standard, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants both playmakers in his midfield.

Apparently, the plan is to play Maddison as a no.10 with Fernandes deeper in the no.8 position closer to Scott McTominay.

Excellent. Now just the small matter of signing both of them.

 

FERNANDES DEAL STILL WAY OFF
Fernandes played what many believed would be his final game for Sporting Lisbon against Benfica on Friday night but those people aren’t accounting for Ed Woodward and his cronies’ presence in all this. According to TVI 24 in Portugal, the two clubs are still £13million apart in their negotiations.

United are said to be offering £42million up front with another £26million possibly due in bonuses. Which, knowing United, will require Fernandes to win the Grand National, the Nobel Peace Prize and the US presidential election before they have to cough up.

Sporting, not unreasonably, are looking for a guaranteed payment of £55million before they consider add-ons.

 

ARSENAL AGREE KURZAWA DEAL
Arsenal don’t have to worry about fees when it comes to Layvin Kurzawa. The PSG left-back is out of contract in the summer and can take his pick of clubs.

The Gunners were said to be keen to bring the France international to the Emirates this month but it seems they have decided to wait and save themselves £6million.

France Football says the 27-year-old has agreed a five-year contract with Arsenal which was sufficient to fend off competition from Inter, who seem to want to sign anyone with an expiring contract.

 

INTER TO MAKE MOSES MOVE
Speaking of Inter, it seems one Premier League winger-turned-wing-back isn’t enough for Antonio Conte.

Fresh from signing Ashley Young on Friday for £1.3million, Goal reckons Conte wants Victor Moses too who is currently on loan from Chelsea at Fenerbahce.

Moses played his best football under Conte at Chelsea, who value the Nigerian at £9million.

 

AND THE REST
Newcastle will make a move for Hull’s Jarrod Bowen… Man Utd have triggered the two-year extension in Eric Bailly’s contract… Christian Eriksen’smove to Inter Milan is edging closer… Javier Hernandez will be the highest-paid player in MLS after joining LA Galaxy from Sevilla… Emre Can is set to move to AC Milan from Juventus.