Gossip: Man Utd to offer pair in part-ex for Barca midfielder
Man Utd might only sign three players this summer and Frenkie De Jong could be one of them. Elsewhere, City are sniffing around Declan Rice…
RASHFORD TO BE USED AS BARCA BAIT
Manchester United have already rolled back on Ralf Rangnick’s assertion last week that Manchester United could recruit ‘six, eight, 10’ players this summer by briefing that three new signings is a more realistic ambition.
A centre-back is known to be one of the priority positions – again – and ESPN says Villarreal defender Pau Torres is known to be on the list of possible targets. Ajax’s Jurrien Timber is also said to have been approached by intermediaries.
If at least one midfielder doesn’t arrive, Erik ten Hag might as well not bother boarding the plane to Manchester. This morning, in keeping with the Dutch theme, there is renewed talk of a move for Frenkie De Jong.
According to El Chiringuito, Barcelona are prepared to let De Jong leave this summer for a fee in the region of £58million. Rather than stump up the cash, Fichajes reckons United might put together a package including Marcus Rashford and Alex Telles to trade in exchange for the former Ajax midfielder.
Premier League winners and losers
POGBA CHECKS OUT AFTER REAL, PSG OFFERS
United need midfielders as a priority with Nemanja Matic having confirmed already that he will leave, adding to a shortage of manpower in the Old Trafford engine room.
Paul Pogba is off too. The France star is yet to confirm as much but there is no chance he will sign a new contract and will instead leave as a free agent.
The Mirror says Pogba has already begun the exit process by leaving the squad’s WhatsApp group having received contract offers from elsewhere.
Apparently, both Real Madrid and PSG have put terms to Pogba, which you can bet are not as lucrative as Mino Raiola might have hoped when the possibility of free-agency became a realistic prospect.
WARY CITY PONDER RICE MOVE
United, of course, remain keen on Declan Rice and Harry Kane, but ESPN says but West Ham and Tottenham have made it known that only a mind-blowing offer would tempt either club into selling the England stars.
West Ham’s stance doesn’t appear to have put off Manchester City. Pep Guardiola has been a long-term admirer of Rice, along with United and Chelsea, and The Telegraph says City are weighing up the prospect of moving for the £150million-rated midfielder this summer.
City, though, are said to be wary of being dragged into another saga like the Kane palaver last summer when Tottenham stuck to their guns and refused to negotiate over the the striker. After stumping up early for Jack Grealish, City dragged their heels over Kane and Spurs stood firm. With Erling Haaland set to arrive early this summer, City don’t fancy a repeat of last year’s shenanigans, however much Pep fancies Rice in his midfield.
