Football

Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Bruno Fernandes U-turn, Ed Woodward considering £360k contract


Man Utd transfer news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Old Trafford

Friday, January 24

  • Manchester United haven’t given up hope of signing midfielder Bruno Fernandes
  • The Red Devils are exploring the idea of signing PSG forward Edinson Cavani
  • Ed Woodward and co. are worried about his age and £360k per-week wages
  • Manchester United have entered talks to sign PSG’s Eric-Junior Dina Ebimbe

Man Utd fans plan protest

Manchester United fans are planning to showcase their discontent towards the board by taking part in a mass walkout next month.

The Red Devils have endured a torrid season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and currently in fifth place in the Premier League table.

Despite overseeing the club’s torrid campaign, the Old Trafford faithful have opted not to lambast Solskjaer.

Instead, they’ve repeatedly voiced their discontent towards the club’s owners – the Glazer family – and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward – the latter of whom has hired four managers since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.

And they plan to send the Glazers their clearest message yet by walking out of the stadium during the second half of United’s Premier League clash with Wolves on February 1.

The disillusioned fans plan to walk out of Old Trafford in the 58th minute of their clash with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.

Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Fans are planning a protest

Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Fans are planning a protest (Image: GETTY)

Man Utd warned off Moussa Dembele

Manchester United signing Moussa Dembele would hinder the development of Mason Greenwood, says former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara.

Lyon striker Dembele has been linked with a move to United this month following the news of Marcus Rashford’s double stress fracture in his back. Express Sport understands Chelsea are also keen on signing the former Celtic and Fulham striker.

“He was a good player, Mouss,” O’Hara said. “I liked him, he’s had a fantastic career, scored good goals.

“Is he going to hinder Mason Greenwood? For me yes, and is it worth it?

“I think if you’re going to bring in a player who’s going to hinder someone like Mason Greenwood, Rashford being out is going to come back, that player has got to come in and be a starter, even when those players are at their best, and if they’re not it’s not worth the money.

“I’m not sure Moussa Dembele’s going to be that player.”

Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Moussa Dembele has been linked to the Old Trafford club

Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Moussa Dembele has been linked to the Old Trafford club (Image: GETTY)

New manager shortlist

Manchester United have publicly insisted Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is safe at Old Trafford, despite the concerning nature of their 2-0 defeat to Burnley on Sunday.

But the club reportedly have three managers on their radar should they be forced into axing the Norwegian.

The Daily Star say the Red Devils have Julian Nagelsmann, Mauricio Pochettino and Gareth Southgate on a list of possible replacements.

It’s said that United will only start to judge Solskjaer properly when the likes of Paul Pogba, Scott McTominay and Marcus Rashford are back from injury.

But they appear to be planning for life without the 46-year-old in charge should the club’s season continues to disappoint.

Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Mauricio Pochettino is on United's shortlist

Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Mauricio Pochettino is on United’s shortlist (Image: GETTY)

Bruno Fernandes boost

Manchester United have been boosted in their transfer pursuit of Bruno Fernandes as the 25-year-old is expected to miss Sporting Lisbon’s next match against Maritimo on Monday, according to reports.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made signing a midfielder his top priority with Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay out injured.

But United and Sporting have been deadlocked in their talks over a deal for Fernandes in recent days.

Now the Red Devils have been boosted with the 25-year-old set to miss the match against Maritimo as a result of the speculation, according to Record.

They say United and Sporting are still negotiating over the midfielder but their valuations of Fernandes are far apart.

Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Bruno Fernandes is expected to miss Sporting's match on Monday

Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Bruno Fernandes is expected to miss Sporting’s match on Monday (Image: GETTY)

Bruno Fernandes a problem in dressing room

Bruno Fernandes has become “problematic” in the Sporting Lisbon dressing room as he pushes for a move to Manchester United, claims transfer expert Duncan Castles. United are not willing to pay more than €50million for Portugal international Fernandes, some way short of Sporting’s valuation for the player.

Castles says Fernandes was “promised” by Sporting he could leave this month after a move to Tottenham fell through last summer.

“Bruno, I’m told, has become problematic in the dressing room,” Castles said on the Transfer Window podcast.

“I’m told that the sporting director at the Lisbon club is concerned that should they retain Bruno for the rest of the season that problem will exacerbate and bleed through the team.

“So part of their calculation here is can they find a way of keeping Bruno on board for the rest of the season should they continue to resist Manchester United’s offer to take the player?

“The player wants to go there, he’ll get a very substantial pay rise to go there. He wants to get out now because he thought he was going in the summer.

“Sporting turned down an offer of €45m plus €20m in bonuses from Tottenham.

“He was promised by the club he will be allowed to leave the club in the next window but the president has subsequently, subsequent to Manchester United’s offer, gone and talked to Bruno and said ‘Sorry, I cannot sell you for that price, I cannot be seen to sell you for €50m, they will have to increase their offer or you’re going to have to stay’.”

Bruno Fernandes twist

Manchester United have agreed to add £4.2million (€5m) to their transfer fee for Bruno Fernandes after an intervention by his agent Miguel Pinho, according to a report in Portugal.

Fernandes has accepted United’s proposal of a five-and-a-half-year contract worth £150,000 a week and is desperate to seal his move to Old Trafford before the January transfer window closes.

United have had their opening bid rejected and are unwilling to meet Sporting’s demands.

Different figures have surfaced over the exact value of that initial offer but O Jogo claim it was £40m (€45m) plus £12.7m (€15m) in add-ons.

However, Friday’s edition of the Portuguese newspaper states that United have agreed to pay an extra £4.2m up front, making the overall deal worth £56.9m.

That ostensible breakthrough comes after the clubs were still said to be in dialogue on Thursday night over a deal.

Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Bruno Fernandes is still wanted

Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Bruno Fernandes is still wanted (Image: GETTY)

Carlos Tevez? Why not?!

Former Manchester United star Dimitar Berbatov believes Carlos Tevez returning to Old Trafford may not the worst idea.

“There have been reports linking Carlos Tevez back to United on loan, I say why not?!” Berbatov told Betfair. “When you have these loan deals it’s good to get someone who knows the place, knows the situation of the club and the fans.

“Of course, he went to Man City but I’m sure the fans would welcome him back. If there is some truth in the story then it’s something that needs to be carefully thought about, the pros and cons need to be weighed up. But, if there’s no other option, this could be the right one.

“In the dressing room, he was quiet, a bit like me, but that’s not always important. We all saw what he was like on the pitch, he would run like crazy, fight for his team, score goals and he would never give up until the final whistle and you could say that is what United need now.

“There’s no one in the team that can bully someone from the opposition like Tevez, or Roy Keane, who would also rip your throat out if you didn’t work hard for the team. Maybe they do need Carlos Tevez for that reason, he always had that quality of shouting and fighting for the team.”

Man Utd transfer news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Old Trafford

Man Utd transfer news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Old Trafford (Image: GETTY)

Blimey…

Manchester United have two short-term strikers in their sights, but they are probably not who fans would have expected.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking for forward reinforcements in the absence of injured Marcus Rashford.

And Sky Sports claim Ed Woodward and co. are tracking Shanghai Shenhua’s Odion Ighalo and Monaco loanee Islam Slimani for possible loan deals.

Ighalo, formerly of Watford, has scored 10 goals in 19 appearances for the Chinese Super League club and bagged 40 during his spell at Watford.

Slimani, meanwhile, has enjoyed a profitable loan spell with Monaco with seven goals and seven assists in 13 appearances.

Man Utd transfer news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Old Trafford

Man Utd transfer news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Old Trafford (Image: GETTY)

Big trio

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is relying on his injured Manchester United players to return and save his job, reports have claimed as the pressure mounts on the Norwegian’s shoulders.

It’s understood that Solskjaer’s job is safe for now and his position is likely to be reviewed at the end of the season.

The board was ideally like to give him the summer transfer window and results after that will provide a clearer indication of whether United are at in their rebuild.

According to the Daily Star, Ed Woodward and the rest of the hierarchy will judge Solskjaer once Scott McTominay, Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba return to the fold.

Man Utd transfer news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Old Trafford

Man Utd transfer news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Old Trafford (Image: GETTY)

No quick fix – Solskjaer

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reiterated that “it’s not going to be a quick fix” but remains confident Manchester United see him as the right man to take them forwards.

Back-to-back Premier League defeats to Liverpool and Burnley have been compounded by a toxic atmosphere around the club, with fans making their anger at the Glazer family and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward loud and clear.

“For me, we do have a way of doing things,” he said. “Of course you can see other teams have done well. Jurgen Klopp spent four years building his team and they’re doing well now, so of course – I’ve said so many times – it’s not going to be a quick fix.

“And it’s not going to be like eight players in or 10 players in one transfer window. We’ve had one proper transfer window in the summer because the January’s they are difficult, but we are trying to do something now.”

Man Utd transfer news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Old Trafford

Man Utd transfer news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Old Trafford (Image: GETTY)

Man Utd agreed Bruno Fernandes deal

Manchester United had reportedly agreed a £55million fee to sign Bruno Fernandes with Sporting, before changing their mind on the deal, reports have now claimed.

According to Sky Sports, United had actually struck an agreement with Sporting before changing their stance.

The report claims that Jorge Mendes flew to Manchester with Sporting president Frederico Varandas and director of football, Hugo Viana.

The party agreed a fee of £55million and the general consensus was that he would be leaving Sporting for the Premier League.

Yet United are said to have changed their mind on the structure of the deal. They then decided that they were only wiling to offer £42m for Fernandes.

Man Utd transfer news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Old Trafford

Man Utd transfer news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Old Trafford (Image: GETTY)

Ed Woodward warning

Manchester United chief Ed Woodward has been warned by his wife, Isabelle, to avoid speculation over his future as he comes under increasing calls to walk away from his position at Old Trafford.

Woodward and United’s owners, the Glazers, were the subject of crude chants as goals from Chris Wood and Jay Rodriguez put Burnley in control and the demoralising defeat unfolded.

Now the Daily Star have shed some light on goings on at the Woodward household, with the executive vice-chairman’s wife reportedly telling him stop reading stories about himself.

United fans’ fury towards Woodward, which has grown year-on-year during their fall from grace and that has seen them hire planes to fly scathing banners over games, is down to his role in their perceived transition from successful football club to money-making machine.

Man Utd transfer news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Old Trafford

Man Utd transfer news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Old Trafford (Image: GETTY)

Bruno Fernandes deal alive

Manchester United haven’t given up hope of signing Sporting Lisbon star Bruno Fernandes.

That’s according to The Telegraph, who claim that a dialogue remains open between the two parties.

Sporting value the 25-year-old playmaker at £68million but the Red Devils’ last offer was £42.5m up front with a further £8.5m in add-ons.

Yesterday, The Sun claimed co-chairman Joel Glazer had decided not succumb to Sporting Lisbon’s unreasonable demands – but the deal is still alive.

Man Utd transfer news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Old Trafford

Man Utd transfer news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Old Trafford (Image: GETTY)

Edinson Cavani to Manchester United

Manchester United are exploring the idea of signing Edinson Cavani.

Cavani has helped Paris Saint-Germain win 18 trophies including five Ligue 1 titles since joining from Napoli in 2013, scoring a club-record 198 goals in all competitions.

However, the Uruguay international, who turns 33 next month, has found opportunities limited this season and is now keen to call time on his Parc des Princes stay.

Chelsea and Atletico Madrid are thought to be leading the race to secure his signature, but Express Sport understands United are in the mix too.

However, The Telegraph report the interest is only ‘tentative’ with Ed Woodward and co. worried about his age, £360,000-a-week wages and his recent injury record.

Man Utd transfer news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Old Trafford

Man Utd transfer news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Old Trafford (Image: GETTY)

Wanted: Eric-Junior Dina Ebimbe

Manchester United have entered talks to sign PSG midfielder Eric-Junior Dina Ebimbe.

That’s according to RMC Sport, who claim the Red Devils want to secure his signature after the 2019/2020 campaign.

Dina Ebimbe, 19, is currently enjoying a profitable loan spell with Ligue 2 side Le Havre, where’s made 18 appearances and scored twice.

Talks between Manchester United and PSG are already underway but there’s no mention of how much the teenager will cost.

Man Utd transfer news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Old Trafford

Man Utd transfer news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Old Trafford (Image: GETTY)

Dean Henderson No.1

Manchester United will wait until April before deciding the status’ of David De Gea and Dean Henderson for next season, reports say.

United signed De Gea down to a new contract back in September but, since then, the Spain international has struggled.

Henderson, meanwhile, has flourished at Sheffield United and the Daily Mail say United will wait until April before deciding the status’ of the two players for next season.

De Gea’s erratic displays mean there’s a genuine chance of Henderson being given regular football next term.

Man Utd transfer news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Old Trafford

Man Utd transfer news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Old Trafford (Image: GETTY)

Philippe Coutinho deal rejected

Liverpool rejected the opportunity to re-sign Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona.

According to Spanish website El Desmarque, Jurgen Klopp laughed off the idea of bring Coutinho back to Anfield for £91million.

El Desmarque add that Real Madrid have caught wind of Barcelona’s plotting and reacted by offering Isco to the Premier League leaders.

Elsewhere, Bild claim Bayern Munich do not believe the Brazilian has impressed sufficiently to justify a £101m option to buy on a permanent basis.

Man Utd transfer news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Old Trafford

Man Utd transfer news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Old Trafford (Image: GETTY)

Christian Eriksen to Barcelona

Barcelona have launched an enquiry for Tottenham star Christian Eriksen, Sky Sports claim.

Inter Milan looked set to secure the the Denmark international’s signature after agreeing personal terms with a medical scheduled for Monday.

Antonio Conte’s side have offered £11million plus performance-related add-ons but Tottenham chief Daniel Levy is holding out for £17m.

And that could open the door for Barcelona, who have made contact with Jose Mourinho’s side.

Man Utd transfer news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Old Trafford

Man Utd transfer news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Old Trafford (Image: GETTY)

£50m Gabriel Martinelli

Gabriel Martinelli is set to be rewarded with a new contract after his impressive display against Chelsea on Tuesday night.

The Daily Mail reports that Gunners chiefs are concerned that Real Madrid are showing an interest in the striker.

And as a result will treble his wages from £10,000-a-week to £30,000-a-week.

According to the same report, Madrid value the Brazilian at £50million, and Arsenal are desperate to ensure they keep hold of their prize asset.

He reportedly had trials at Manchester United, but the Red Devils opted against bringing him on board.



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