Gossip: Man Utd face Milinkovic-Savic scrap

News Desk
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic celebrates scoring for Lazio against Inter Milan.

Man Utd have competition for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, while Barcelona are coppering up for the £100m they might need for Chelsea target Matthijs De Ligt…

 

UNITED, PSG SCRAP FOR SMS 
Manchester United’s pursuit of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic since 2017 has always been linked to the form and fortunes of Paul Pogba. With the France star finally set to depart Old Trafford next summer, United could finally make a firm move for the Lazio midfielder.

The Red Devils are again credited with a genuine interest in Milinkovic-Savic, with Italian journo Nicolo Schira naming them and PSG as the main contenders for the Serbian’s signature.

Apparently, Leonardo ‘loves’ Milinkovic-Savic, while United’s interest remains firm, especially with Pogba on his way in the summer.

But neither Pogba nor Milinkovic-Savic will move any sooner. ESPN reckons United fully expect Pogba to stay at Old Trafford during January, while Milinkovic-Savic will wait until the end of the season before moving for a fee expected to be in the region of £60million.

 

BARCA WANT DE LIGT AFTER DUO DEPART
With a club to find for Pogba, Mino Raiola looks set to be a busy boy next summer if there is any truth in the rumours surrounding Matthijs De Ligt.

The Juventus defender has been linked with Chelsea in recent weeks but Barcelona are now said to be in the frame for the Holland centre-back.

Gerard Romero says Barca will move for De Ligt as soon as they shift Samuel Umtiti and Philippe Coutinho off their books.

De Ligt reportedly has a release clause in his Juve deal that means he could leave for around £120million next summer, though the Old Lady might offer a slight discount.

Even so, how Barca would afford that, as well as around £50million on Ferran Torres next month, isn’t clear.

Especially with reports in Spain detailing the struggle they are having in trying to get rid of Umtiti and Coutinho.

In Coutinho’s case, the Brazilian ‘doesn’t see himself living or playing in Newcastle’ – while Arsenal really should avoid any temptation…

 


F365 Says: Arsenal need not be tempted by Coutinho


 

SEVILLA WANT MARTIAL FROM MAN UTD
Anthony Martial has also been linked with Newcastle, and the Magpies won’t have the same problem as another club keen to rescue the Frenchman from the Man Utd bench…

Martial wants away from Old Trafford next month – his agent has been very clear on that – and Sevilla are keen to offer him an escape route.

But Fabrizio Romano says the Spaniards will struggle to meet Martial’s salary demands. Apparently, they are waiting to discuss the issue with United, which suggests they may attempt to borrow Martial, which was reportedly going to cost Newcastle around £6million.