Gossip: Man Utd’s top two targets, Arsenal eye Barca man
SOLSKJAER PRIORITISES DORTMUND AND REAL STARS
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was given a three-year contract this week and, in the summer, apparently the Manchester United boss will get a mega f*ck tonne of cash to blow in the transfer market.
The usual suspects are being linked with United the morning after they confirmed Solskjaer as their new permanent manager, though The Independent reckon Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane are the club’s two biggest priorities. United have been encouraged that they have not been custard-pied while putting the feelers out over the Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid stars, who would both cost in excess of £100million each.
Kalidou Koulibaly was said to be United’s top defensive target but Carlo Ancelotti says Napoli won’t be selling the Senegal centre-half. Jose Mourino wanted Toby Alderweireld last year but Solskjaer is said to prefer younger targets, which was music to Ed Woodward’s ears. The Mirror says Juventus are now leading the race for Alderweireld, who could be bought for £25million this summer.
REAL TO GO FOR POGBA AND EVERYONE ELSE
Solskjaer may have committed to United but getting Paul Pogba to do the same will be a thankless task. The France midfielder has been flirting with Real Madrid, especially now Zinedine Zidane is back at the club and Barcelona’s interest has waned. The Sun reckons Real are ready to reciprocate Pogba’s interest.
United insist Pogba is not for sale and the midfielder says he is content in Manchester – for now. That may well change should Real throw £125million down on the table.
Real will be chucking the cash around this summer. AS claims Zidane will get £430million to spend, with which he hopes to buy Kylian Mbappe and Eden Hazard as well as Pogba. The same publication also reckons Real have moved to the front of the queue to sign Adrien Rabiot on a free transfer. Zizou is not f*cking about…
ARSENAL EYE BARCA AND BAYERN DEFENDERS
Arsenal are shopping in an entirely different marketplace and while they might not be looking in the whoopsie aisle just yet, the Gunners will have to cut their cloth accordingly, especially if they fall out of the Champions League places.
The Independent claims Unai Emery is looking to make his budget stretch to five new signings, with Gazetta dello Sport identifying Samuel Umtiti as one of them. The Barca centre-half is losing his battle with Clement Lenglet for a first-team place and with Matthijs de Ligt set to arrive from Ajax, Umtiti will be surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp.
David Alaba is likely to find himself in a similar situation at Bayern Munich, who Marca say will make their biggest ever investment in the transfer market this summer. It’s already begun with the £68million signing of Lucas Hernandez.
AND THE REST
Chelsea may give Callum Hudson-Odoi £100,000 a week to convince him to stay… Thierry Henry could return to his role as Belgium assistant manager… Wolves will break their transfer record to sign Raul Jimenez for £25m… Rafael Benitez could be a target for Guangzhou Evergrande… Antoine Griezmann will take a £6m pay cut to reignite a move to Barcelona.
