Rumour reel: Man Utd reshaping
Published:
Latest Man Utd transfer news
Jose Mourinho may have lifted the Europa League on Wednesday, stuffing Ajax 2-0 in Stockholm, but the club are pushing on with their planned summer recruitment drive. Linked with a number of major players across Europe, the backroom staff look keen to cash in on their recent success.
Entry into next season’s Champions League, that comes with winning European football’s second-string competition, means they can shoot for the big names, with the cream of the footballing world returning to Old Trafford. An exciting time for fans, but how much truth can be taken from the newspaper headlines? We flick through some of the more believable stories…..
Barkley swapping blue for red
The major transfer story in the early part of the summer is Everton’s Ross Barkley, with the club apparently accepting their fate and admitting defeat in trying to tie the fans’ favourite down to a longer contract. We’ve seen last chances come and go from manager Ronald Koeman, and it’s believed they are now willing to listen to offers in the region of £50m. Will Mourinho see that as money well spent? Well, he’s certainly an admirer of the attacking midfielder, has money to burn and could do with a bit more flair going forward. United are expected to make a bid, but will face competition from Premier League runners up Spurs – who could offer a game at Wembley every other week.
Sanches another option
If the Barkley deal doesn’t go to plan, Man Utd are thought to be hot on the heels of Bayern Munich star Renato Sanches. The 19-year-old hot-shot has been heavily linked with a move to the English Premier League, with this season’s sixth place finishers thought to be at the head of the queue to secure his signature. Is it just paper talk? Well, perhaps, but the Portuguese cap, purchased from Benfica, is also said to have caught the attention of European heavyweights, and Champions League finalists, Juventus. There’s sure to be plenty more on this one before the summer is out.
Griezmann priced out of a move
Lastly, it’s no secret that Jose Mourinho wants a complete overhaul of his Manchester United attack, with a long-term replacement sought for Rooney and Ibrahimovic. The gaffer hasn’t done much to hide the fact Atletico Madrid assassin Antoine Griezmann sits at the top of his wish-list, but Madrid president Enrique Cerezo told fans this week that the player has not asked for a move, and he thinks it very doubtful that any club will trigger his £85m release clause. Is that a statement of fact, or a challenge for admirers to stick their hand in their pocket? We’ll know by the close of business.
