Manchester United’s transfer plans appear to have taken one step forward and two back over the last couple of days, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s future the topic of conversation.
The Portuguese icon submitted a shock transfer request at the weekend and was allowed to miss Monday’s return for pre-season training, with Chelsea aiming to complete a deal.
It’s not all bad news though. The Red Devils have sealed a deal for Feyenoord starlet Tyrell Malacia. The Dutchman has penned a four-year deal at Old Trafford, with the option for an extra year.
In the meantime, Cristian Eriksen could soon be following him through the door with his own switch to Old Trafford. The Dane has agreed a deal in principle having left Brentford at the end of last season.
So for all of that and much more, stick with Mirror Football to keep up-to-date with Tuesday’s transfer news and gossip from Old Trafford as it happens…
Latest De Jong bid revealed
Manchester United’s most recent offer for Frenkie de Jong is €65m plus €22m in add-ons.
If the Red Devils reach €75m up front plus €12m in add-ons, then Barcelona will accept their bid, according to journalist Gerard Moreno.
The 25-year-old has just returned to Spain from his holidays and is currrently debating his future.
Goodnight
Thanks for joining us on today’s live Manchester United transfer blog.
We’ll be back tomorrow with more news and gossip from Old Trafford, so stay tuned to Mirror Football.
Until then, take care!
Ibrahimovic keeps going
Former Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to sign a one-year extension with AC Milan, according to reports in Italy.
However, it’ll take the 40-year-old Swede six to seven months to recover from his knee injury.
Ferdinand welcomes Malacia
Martinez remains Ten Hag’s ‘focus’
Erik ten Hag is focussed on signing Lisandro Martinez instead of chasing Matthijs de Ligt, reports in Italy claim.
Manchester United remain in advanced negotations to sign Ajax defender Martinez, while Juventus centre-back De Ligt is expected to leave his club for either Bayern Munich or Chelsea this summer.
Ten Hag ‘likes’ the latter, but his priority is Martinez, who is keen to move to the Premier League.
Rooney’s advice after Ronaldo transfer request
The reasons for turning down Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer request would appear to be decreasing after comments made by Wayne Rooney re-emerged.
Ronaldo has demanded he be allowed to leave Manchester United this summer, having been back at Old Trafford for just a year. Though he enjoyed a fine individual campaign, the Red Devils endured a dreadful season, missing out on qualification for the Champions League.
That dire performance saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sacked, with Erik ten Hag now arriving as their new permanent boss. The Dutchman is expected to shake up United’s dressing room following their awful campaign that saw them record their lowest ever Premier Leaguepoints total.
More here.
How Wijnaldum influenced Malacia
Robin van Persie and Tahith Chong are two of the names who Tyrell Malacia has cited as inspirations since completing his £13million transfer to Manchester United.
But while the 22-year-old is following in the aforementioned pair’s footsteps by signing for United after starting out at Feyenoord, ex- Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum is someone else who Malacia idolises, thanks to their shared Rotterdam roots.
Wijnaldum, nine years Malacia’s senior and now at Paris Saint-Germain, spent seven years in Feyenoord’s academy prior to joining fellow Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven in 2011, while the left-back has been representing his hometown club since the age of nine. Teaming up for the first time last year on the international stage, Malacia was able to get up close and personal to his fellow Feyenoord success story, finding that he and Wijnaldum were alike in more ways than their footballing background.
Read the full story.
Pereira ‘accepts’ Fulham offer
Reports from Brazil claim that Andreas Pereira has accepted an offer from Fulham and will leave Manchester United imminently.
The midfielder, 25, will reportedly sign a three-year contract at Craven Cottage, with the option of an extra season.
Newly-promoted Fulham are set to pay an initial £9million and a further £3m in bonuses.
Pereira joined United in 2011 but has failed to make the grade after multiple promising loan spells, most recently with Flamengo.
Van Persie’s kind Malacia message
Robin van Persie has wished Tyrell Malacia the best of luck with a kind video message, having also started out at Feyenoord before making it to Manchester United.
“Hey, Tyrell. It’s Robin here,” the former United striker, now a youth coach for Feyenoord’s academy, began. “I would like to congratulate you on your fantastic move to Manchester United, a big moment in your career. You’ve shown that self-belief, lots of talent and hard work, day in, day out – you’ve shown that and I’ve seen that from close by – that dreams come true.
“So, to all Red Devils fans, you’re not only getting a very talented full-back, but, as well, a fantastic person. So, be nice to him support him in good times and bad times. He will give absolutely everything for you guys, so I’m sure it will be a great connection together.
“On behalf of all Feyenoord fans and Feyenoord people: thanks, Tyrell, for what you’ve done, for all these years, from a young kid when you arrived in the youth academy up until now, up until this fantastic moment. You are a true example for the next generation, so thank you very much for all your effort and all you’ve done for our club, and I wish you all the very best. Good luck, man.”
Malacia’s message to Feyenoord
Tyrell Malacia has said an emotional goodbye to boyhood club Feyenoord with a classy farewell message folowing his £13milion transfers to Manchester United.
In a tweet, the 22-year-old wrote: “Feyenoorders: thanks for everything. Words cannot describe how grateful I am for my time in Rotterdam and the support I have always felt. Until we meet again.”
Dybala update
Inter Milan CEO Beppe Marotta has issued an update on Manchester United transfer target Paulo Dybala this afternoon.
After leaving Juventus this summer, the Argentina striker was expected to join rivals Inter but talks have stalled, leading to links with United.
“Dybala is one of a number of out of contract players. He is an opportunity,” Marotta said. “However, we have an excellent set of strikers. There needs to be courage and belief in youth.” Dybala was expected to join Inter.”
First fixtures confirmed
Here’s when any new Manchester United signings could make their official debuts, as the Premier League have confirmed the dates for Red Devils’ games in August and September, including a Monday night clash at home to Liverpool.
August 7: Brighton (H)
August 13: Brentford (A)
August 22: Liverpool (H)
August 27: Southampton (A)
September 1: Leicester (A)
September 4: Arsenal (H)
September 11: Crystal Palace (A)
September 18: Leeds (H)
How United managers’ first signings fared
Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has finally managed to get a new face through the door at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils have managed to secure the signing of Dutch defender Tyrell Malaciahaving jumped ahead of Lyon to commit him to a four-year deal at the club. They have paid £12.9m for his signature with the hope that the 22-year-old can represent ten Hag’s long-term option at left-back.
The ex-Feyenoord man’s arrival is just the start of the huge rebuild required at Old Trafford but his arrival is a promising start. With Man United now having finally kicked off their much-needed summer business, Mirror Sport takes a look back to see how each of Ten Hag’s predecessors have fared on their first venture into the market.
More here.
Depay’s Man Utd clause as Barcelona exit nears
Memphis Depay failed to make the grade during his two-year spell at Manchester Unitedbut clearly showed enough talent in the eyes of former Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho.
Brought to Old Trafford for a transfer fee of £25million by his fellow countryman Louis van Gaal in 2015, he soon upped sticks to Lyon just two years later after a string of underwhelming displays in a United shirt. Four years at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais saw Depay’s reputation enjoy a complete revival.
The Dutchman went from Premier League flop to highly sought property, proving Mourinho right to insert a buy-back clause into Depay’s Lyon contract due to the amount of potential the Portuguese coach clearly thought the forward was in possession of.
Read the full story.
Malacia hails ‘incredible’ transfer
Tyrell Malacia has been hailing the ‘incredible’ feeling he has after becoming a Man United player.
He said: “It’s an incredible feeling to have joined Manchester United.
“This is a new chapter for me, a new league with new teammates and a tremendous manager [Ten Hag] leading us. I know from playing against his teams in the Eredivisie, the qualities that he has and what he demands of his players.”
Read his quotes in full here.
Man Utd name price for academy starlet
Manchester United will reportedly demand £300,000 should they decide to sell academy graduate Dylan Levitt.
The 21-year-old shone at Dundee United last term and the Scottish side are apparently interested in securing his services on a permanent deal. Championship outfit Cardiff City are also eyeing a loan swoop for the Welsh international as per The Sun.
Man Utd complete Malacia signing
And just like that, Manchester United have completed the signing of Tyrell Malacia.
The Dutchman becomes the first signing of the summer having penned a four-year contract at Old Trafford.
The club have paid an initial £12.9m for his signature.
Read the full story here.
Malacia completes Man Utd medical
Feyenoord defender Tyrell Malacia is on the verge of becoming a Manchester United having completed his medical with the Red Devils.
A formal announcement of the transfer is expected soon according to Sky Sports and he will become the club’s first addition of the summer window.
Lindegaard hails Eriksen signing
Former Red Devils stopper Anders Lindegaard will be an ideal fit for the club as he edges close to an Old Trafford arrival.
Speaking to BBC World Service Sport, he said: “Christian has got a special kind of mentality; a mentality that will suit United very much. He’s not in football for the fame, the money, the luxury lifestyle or showing off. Christian is in football for the love of the game — in a way that I don’t know anyone else is.”
Ten Hag given ‘careful’ warning
Erik ten Hag has been warned that he needs to be careful recruiting from the Eredivisie by Ronald de Boer.
Speaking with AD, he said: “Despite that, I think that trainers should be careful with it. It can get tricky, because a lot of guys of the same nationality meet up in the dressing room. Then you will form groups faster. And if the results diminish, the Dutch are immediately pointed to as the ones who are to blame for the decline.”
Pochettino sacked
Former Manchester United managerial target Mauricio Pochettino finds himself out of work once more having been sacked by French giants Paris Saint-Germain.
The Argentine led the club to the Ligue 1 crown last term but that job was not deemed good enough and he has now left the Parc des Princes. Christophe Galtier is expected to take over.
Read the full story here.
Man United on the training pitch
Manchester United ‘s international stars began pre-season training on Monday as they endured their first Erik ten Hag session ahead of the club’s tour of Thailand and Australia.
One absence was Cristiano Ronaldo after he submitted a request to leave the club. There is plenty more going on behind the scenes at Carrington though.
Take a look at five things we noticed from the latest training session under Erik ten Hag right here.
Red Devils eye Ben Yedder swoop
Manchester United are reportedly eyeing a swoop for Monaco hitman Wissam Ben Yedder this summer.
That is according to MediaFoot, via TEAMtalk, who state that the Red Devils are interested in a move for the Frenchman, who could potentially be a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, it is reported that Wolverhampton Wanderers are also involved in the race for his signature.
De Jong’s United switch still in negotiations
Whilst the Red Devils looked to be securing the signing of Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong sooner rather than later, it might be a little while longer before he is officially a Manchester United player.
Spanish outlet Marca suggest that his switch to Old Trafford is still being negotiated but the signs are promising, with Barcelona unwilling to pay the Dutchman the remaining €88.58m of his contract should he stay at the Camp Nou.
Tuchel yet to approve Ronaldo signing
One of the main suitors for Cristiano Ronaldo has emerged to be Chelsea over the past few days, with new owner Todd Boehly holding talks with Jorge Mendes.
However, there could be one major obstacle stopping a deal from happening – Thomas Tuchel. According to The Sun, the German has not yet approved a bid for the former Real Madrid and Juventus star, putting a potential move to Stamford Bridge in huge doubt.
Dybala ‘evaluates’ Man Utd move
Former Juventus star Paulo Dybala is reportedly ‘evaluating’ a move to Manchester United, with offers for his services at a premium.
Reports over the past few days suggested that the Red Devils had contacted his representatives regarding a potential switch to Old Trafford and according to Gianluca Di Marzio, Dybala is ‘evaluating’ a move.
Inter Milan, AC Milan and Napoli have of course all been linked with a switch.
Cristiano Ronaldo out of training once more
Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly set to miss Manchester United training once more as speculation regarding his future rolls on.
The Portuguese did not report for pre-season training yesterday, citing family reasons – something the Red Devils accepted. According to The Athletic, he is also set to miss Tuesday’s session with it remaining unclear over when he could potentially be expected to return.
Mendes holds Barcelona talks
Jorge Mendes’ attempts to find a new home for Cristiano Ronaldo are ramping up after the attacker was reportedly at the centre of his discussions with Barcelona.
As per reports in Spain, he is thought to be one of four of Mendes’ clients at the heart of talks between the two parties. The others include Ruben Neves, Rafa Leao and Bernardo Silva.
Find out more here.
Malacia speaks about Man Utd switch
Manchester United new boy Tyrell Malacia has admitted that it’s a dream come true to walk in the Old Trafford footsteps of Robin van Persie.
He said: “I always followed Manchester United because Robin van Persie played there and he was a Feyenoord player.
“He was a lad who came from the academy at Feyenoord, too – just like me. That’s why I got an extra feeling with this club. In the youth team of Feyenoord we played a youth tournament at United years ago – and I was so impressed by everything. I said to myself ‘I’ll come back here one day.’ That has now come true and that is, of course, wonderful.”
Read the full story here.
Good morning!
Good morning everyone and welcome to Mirror Sport’s live Manchester United transfer blog.
We will be bringing you all of the latest on Cristiano Ronaldo, Cristian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez and much, much more so make sure you stay tuned throughout the day so that you don’t miss a single development.
