Manchester United transfer news LIVE: Jadon Sancho, Ousmane Dembele, Amad Traore - plus Premier League latest
Time is running out for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to add quality before the deadline
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The situation surrounding Ousmane Dembele is fast developing. After initially appearing to be a contingency or even a rumour designed to heighten pressure on Borussia Dortmund concerning Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho interest, the French winger is now having doubts about his future at the Nou Camp. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants a new winger before next Monday’s deadline that much is clear, and if Dembele is eager to move to Old Trafford, then the price and affordability will be considerably better than the Sancho deal.
Previous alternatives have been Watford’s Ismaila Sarr, while Edinson Cavani and now Luka Jovic - the Real Madrid striker who is eager to leave the Bernabeu - represent new options as No 9s. Dayot Upamecano could become available after RB Leizpig took major steps towards signing a new centre-back, is a compelling target too, but time will likely run out on such a deal. Then there have been shock talks of a move for N’Golo Kante from Chelsea - though his wages could become an issue.
Reports in Croatia suggest a £17m deal has been agreed for Dinamo Zagreb’s Josko Gvardiol, meaning Leipzig have a ready-made replacement should United capture Upamecano. While exits at Old Trafford remain intriguing with Sergio Romero a potential signing for Everton with Carlo Ancelotti unhappy with Jordan Pickford. Lazio could take Juan Mata and Andres Pereira off United as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to trim down his squad. Follow all the latest news, rumours and done deals below.
SANCHO WON’T PUSH FOR UNITED MOVE
Manchester United target Jadon Sancho won’t push to leave Borussia Dortmund before the end of the window, according to the Daily Mail.
Sancho has been United’s No. 1 transfer target all summer, but the two clubs have failed to agree on a deal.
United are refusing to meet Dortmund’s valuation of Sancho, believing that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the German side’s price tag of £108m is simply unrealistic.
The Mail states that whilst Sancho has agreed terms with United, he won’t force the move, and is happy to stay another season in the Bundesliga.
BARCA WOULD SELL UNITED TARGET IF RIGHT OFFER ARRIVES
A report in Spain suggests that Barcelona would offload Frenchman Ousmane Dembele should an offer of €60m arrive before the end of the window.
Dembele signed for the club three years ago from Borussia Dortmund, but has struggled in La Liga due to a plethora of injury problems.
Manchester United have been linked with a move for Dembele as an alternative to Jadon Sancho.
Spanish outlet Sport states that the Catalan side would contemplate offloading Dembele should an offer in the region of €60m arrive.
United had initially thought of requesting to take the winger on loan for the season.
Dembele’s contract with the Spanish giants expires in June 2022.
SOLSKJAER RESPONDS TO MOURINHO COMMENTS
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has responded to Jose Mourinho’s comments about the club’s ‘over-reliance’ on penalties.
There has been some back and forth between the two managers in recent times, with Mourinho accusing his old side of relying on penalties.
“I think for him (Solskjaer) the dimension of the goalposts are not important. For him what is important is the dimensions of the 18-yard box,” said Mourinho. "He'd never accept to play with a 17-yard box, I think he would prefer a 22-yard box."
Solskjaer has since responded to Mourinho’s barbs, saying:
"We are in strange times at the moment and sometimes you've got to have a bit of fun as well," Solskjaer said. "It was a couple of innocent comments. For me, Jose's a very charismatic coach and manager and I've enjoyed talking to him, I've enjoyed watching him. He's a winner.
"But I'm not one of these that really go into all these mind games. I've got ultimate respect for him as a coach and, of course, his results and everything he has given football."
Manchester United and Tottenham meet in the Premier League on Sunday.
‘THE CLUB ARE WORKING ON SIGNINGS’ SAYS SOLSKJAER
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says the club “are working” on bringing players to the club.
United have been in talks with Borussia Dortmund for months, but talks have stalled.
Speaking at his press conference ahead of United’s game against Tottenham on Sunday, Solskjaer said:
“The transfer window is still open for a little while, and the club has been working, and they know my view, on where to strengthen it,” said Solskjaer.
“We will tell you if and when something happens.”
REDKNAPP BELIEVES UNITED WILL GET SANCHO DEAL DONE
Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp believes that Manchester United will get the deal for Jadon Sancho done by the end of the transfer window.
Talks between United and Borussia Dortmund have been locked in a stalemate for weeks, with it being reported that United won’t match the German side’s valuation of the player.
However, Redknapp believes that United will get the deal finalised by the end of the transfer window on Monday.
“It hasn't gone through yet but I think it will,” Redknapp told the Pitch to Post podcast.
“You see certain transfers and it is ebbing that way.
“There's a lot of to-ing and fro-ing, and when Manchester United call, or any big club, there's always a premium on players.
“Dortmund want to get as much as they can for someone like Jadon Sancho. I get that.
“But I think he'll be a Manchester United player by the end of the window.”
POGBA WOULD’VE RETURNED TO JUVE
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano believes that Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba would’ve returned to Juventus this summer had it not been for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pogba has long been linked with a move back to Turin, almost since the day he left in 2016.
Romano, speaking to website utdreport.com, believes that Juventus had made Pogba their No. 1 priority this summer.
“I am sure that without the virus Juventus would try this summer to try and bring Paul Pogba back to Juve," said Romano. "They are in love with Pogba and are convinced he’s the player who is perfect for Juventus in midfield.”
The Frenchman played for Juve from 2012-16, and won four league titles in Italy before returning to England.
ROMA ASKED FOR DALOT
Manchester United have rejected a request from Roma to take full-back Diogo Dalot on loan.
The two sides are in negotiations for the permanent transfer of Chris Smalling to the Italian capital, and Fabrizio Romano states that during the discussions, the Italian side enquired about the possibility of taking Dalot on loan for the season.
However this was promptly rejected by United.
Roma then asked for Fosu Mensah.
ROMA ASK FOR MENSAH DURING SMALLING TALKS
Roma have reportedly asked Manchester United for full-back Timothy Fosu Mensah during the negotiations for Chris Smalling.
The Giallorossi are closing in on the signing of Smalling, with a deal expected to be finalised within 24 hours.
Il Corriere dello Sport reports that Roma also enquired about the services of Mensah, whom they’d like to take on a season-long loan deal.
Mensah spent the 2018-19 season on loan at Fulham, where he made 12 appearances.
He suffered a cruciate ligament injury in April 2019, which kept him out for some time.
SMALLING ROMA MOVE CLOSE
Chris Smalling is expected to finalise his deal to Serie A side Roma today, after the two clubs agreed on a deal.
Smalling had made it known for some time that he wanted to return to the side where he enjoyed a loan spell last season.
However the two clubs couldn’t agree on a fee.
This week Roma raised their offer, with it being reported by Tuttomercatoweb that the side from the Italian capital will pay €15m plus bonuses to United.
Smalling is expected to sign a four-year contract worth €3.5m a season.
POGBA ATTEMPTS TO CONVINCE DEMBELE OF MOVE
Manchester United star Paul Pogba has reportedly rang Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele in order to convince him to join the club.
Dembele has been linked with a move to United due to the Premier League side’s inability to get a deal for Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho over the finish line.
Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo state that Pogba has supposedly rang his French compatriot in an attempt to convince him to sign for The Red Devils.
United would take Dembele on loan for the season, but are sceptical due to his injury track record.
Dembele has 21 caps for France.
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