Monday's transfer news: Arsenal bid rejected, Man Utd eye Fernandes, Liverpool ready to rival offer for Firpo
The best of Monday's transfer news, rumours and done deals
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Your support makes all the difference.Manchester United are set to be busy this summer and appear to be closing in on their second signing of the off-season. Crystal Palace's Aaron Wan-Bissaka appears close to a move after a breakthrough was finally reached between the two clubs that will see the England Under-21 international move to Old Trafford for upwards of £42m plus add ons. Sporting's Bruno Fernandes could well be close behind with the Red Devils now the favourites to sign him too.
It won't just be incomings, however, with Paul Pogba anxious to leave with Real Madrid, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain circling. Romelu Lukaku is all set to leave for Italy too while the club are desperate to get Alexis Sanchez's £500,000 per week off the books.
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Meanhile, Arsenal are set to push on with their first signing of the summer with a deal for Celtic's Kieran Tierney close. Bournemouth's Ryan Fraser and Belgian international Yannick Carrasco are also options being considered but money could be tight for Unai Emery and Co.
Champions Manchester City don't have any such problems and look set to strengthen an already stacked squad. Leicester City's Harry Maguire could arrive in a club record deal while Atletico Madrid's Rodri and Juve's Joao Cancelo appear near certainties to join him in what looks to be another busy summer at the Etihad.
Celtic have rejected Arsenal's opening offer for Kieran Tierney, understood to be worth around £15m.
The Gunners have identified the Celtic left-back as a realistic target this summer, and Celtic would reluctantly accept a fee if Arsenal meet their valuation.
but that is well above the £15m opening bid that Arsenal made, and Sky Sports reports that it has been met with a firm rejection from the Scottish Premiership champions.
Manchester United and Crystal Palace are close to an agreement over a fee for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
The Old Trafford club had initially been hoping to prise the 22-year-old from Selhurst Park for £25m, but Palace have been steadfast in their stance.
However, the Daily Mail report that after lengthy discussions a fee of around £42.5m plus add-ons has been agreed to finally get a deal done.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sees the 21-year-old as key to the rebuild of his squad this summer.
Christian Eriksen has apparently told Tottenham he wants to move to Manchester United.
The Danish international is ready for a "new challenge" with only one year left on his contract in north London.
And that could come at Old Trafford according to the Mirror.
Juventus are also an option being considered but Real Madrid appear to have moved on to other targets.
Mohamed Salah has been urged to join Barcelona.
Samuel Eto’o has urged Mohamed Salah to swap Liverpool for Barcelona if the chance presents itself.
The former Barcelona star has been impressed by the Egyptian, who helped the Reds win the Champions League this month.
And with Salah currently at the African Cup of Nations, Eto’o believes he should consider a move to the Nou Camp in the future.
“Real Madrid gave me the opportunity to leave Africa but know Barcelona’s style and I think it would be better for him (Egypt),” said Eto’o.
“If he has the chance to play in the best league of the world, which is the Spanish one, he has to sign for Barcelona.
Barcelona have ended their interest in Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt.
The Dutch defender has captured the attention of Europe's biggest clubs over the course of the last 12 months, with a bidding war developing between Barca, Juventus and PSG.
But it appears that Barcelona have run out of patience in their pursuit. Spanish daily Marca reports that the Catalan side have pulled the plug on their offer due to De Ligt's demand of €12m per year, which would take a transfer that would cost more than €120m in a fee alone well above the €200m mark.
Ernesto Valverde is also satisfied that Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet, Samuel Umtiti and Jean-Clair Todibo gives him enough cover at centre-back without De Ligt.
As a result, the move is off, leaving Juventus and PSG to battle over his signature.
Paul Pogba has apparently told Manchester United he wants to move back to Juventus over a move to Real Madrid.
The 26-year-old on Sunday finally made his desire to leave Old Trafford clear, stating that it’s time for a “new challenge”, but many sources say he’s for a long time been “desperate to leave”.
Zinedine Zidane wants Pogba at any price, but the Bernabeu hierarchy are not keen to spend more than £110m after a summer that has already seen them break £350m.
Sky Sports say the midfielder wants to return to Juve, with Paris Saint-Germain also keen.
West Ham want Anthony Martial in exchange for Issa Diop, if any deal is to be done with Manchester United for the centre-half.
The Old Trafford hierarchy have investigated the possibility of signing the 22-year-old, but West Ham have so far shown no willingness to sell.
In initial talks, however, the London club have indicated that they may be willing to do business if Martial comes the other way.
Breaking news just confirmed as Newcastle United have announced that Rafa Benitez is leaving the club at the end of the week.
The Spaniard's contract as manager expires at the end of June, and talks between the two parties have dragged on and on over an extension.
Finally, the club have confirmed the inevitable as a statement has clarified his departure, with a replacement yet to be announced.
More on the breaking news that Rafa Benitez is leaving Newcastle United.
A club statement from the Magpies reads: “It is with disappointment that we announce manager Rafael Benitez will leave Newcastle United upon the expiry of his contract on June 30, 2019.
“We have worked hard to extend Rafa's contract over a significant period of time, however it has not been - and will not be - possible to reach an agreement with Rafa and his representatives.
“Rafa's coaching staff, Paco de Miguel Moreno, Antonio Gomez Perez and Mikel Antia, will also leave the club on June 30.
“We would like to thank Rafa and his coaching team for their efforts over the last three years and their significant contribution to what has been collectively achieved.
“We would also like to thank our supporters, players and staff for their patience during a period of uncertainty.
“The process to appoint a successor will now begin.”
Manchester United have been offered Neymar in a swap deal by Paris Saint-Germain - and incredibly they have rejected it.
The Independent can reveal that United were given the chance this summer to sign Neymar in return for letting Paul Pogba leave in the opposite direction.
As Miguel Delaney writes, both players want out of their respective clubs, and PSG would rather allow the Brazilian to move to England than head back to Barcelona or Real Madrid.
However, United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has reservations about what signing Neymar would mean for United, and as a result turned down the chance.
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