Manchester United transfer news latest: Mario Lemina, Paul Pogba, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Bruno Fernandes, De Ligt
United want at least three more signings to revamp their squad under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
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Manchester United have joined the race to add Southampton's Mario Lemina to their midfield, a position of the pitch they are keen to bolster.
United have already lost Ander Herrera in this transfer window, Nemanja Matic is not getting younger and Paul Pogba’s days at Old Trafford may be limited.
They face competition from Arsenal and Leicester City to complete a deal for Lemina and Southampton will let him speak to other clubs after he was not included in the latest training squad for the pre-season trip to Austria.
Southampton, who signed the Italian midfielder from Juventus in 2017, will want at least all of the £16m they paid for him reimbursed by any sale.
Pogba, who said he is ready to leave and find a “new challenge somewhere else”, is being lined up by Real Madrid, who are preparing to move on James Rodriguez in order to finance the deal before they consider adding to their £220m summer outlay.
The French midfielder wants a quick solution to his transfer situation, according to his agent Mino Riaola, who said: “Hopefully there will be soon a satisfying solution for all parties.
“The player [Pogba] has done nothing wrong. He has been respectful and professional in every way and always.
“The club has known his feeling for a long time,” he added on talkSPORT.
“It is a shame other people only like to criticise without the right information, and I am also sorry that the club does not take any position against this.”
Raiola will not be bringing another player to Old Trafford after he confirmed that Matthjis de Ligt has agreed personal terms with Juventus ahead of a move to the Italian champions. All that is left to agree is the fee between the two clubs as the Dutch defender returned to Ajax training this week.
United may line up Lazio Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as a potential replacement if Pogba leaves. United have long identified Milinkovic-Savic as a potential midfield talent and although he has not performed as impressively over the past six months, he is still highly regarded.
The Spanish-born Serbia international is the kind of dominant midfield force that United believe can adequately replace Pogba, although he is expected to cost upwards of £80m.
And after his agent flew to London this week, the rumour mill has started up with the possibility that United have begun talking about personal terms with the player.
United remain interested in Sporting’s attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes, but are yet to make a concrete offer. The midfielder is said to be remaining ‘calm’ despite persistent speculation surrounding his future, according to reports in Portugal.
The Mirror reports that Fernandes has a gentleman’s agreement with the club that should a £35m offer come in, it would be accepted, but United are playing the transfer cautiously and are in talks with agent Miguel Pinho before forcing the issue with Sporting.
United goalkeeper David de Gea is set to stay with the club and will sign a new £350,000-a-week contract which will keep him at Old Trafford for the next five years.
De Gea’s current deal runs out next summer and rather than risk losing him on a free, United have decided to invest in the man they consider to be the best keeper in the world.
In more goalkeeper news, England U21 keeper Dean Henderson is set to go on loan to Sheffield United where he could be in line to get Premier League experience with the promoted side after being left out of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's squad that flew to Australia.
Harry Maguire remains a top centre-back target, even more so than Kalidou Koulibaly, but Leicester are demanding more than £80m for the England international.
United were hoping to pay around £60-70m and with negotiations stuck, it seems this one could be drawn out through the summer.
They reportedly offered £70m plus Marcos Rojo last week but that was rejected outright by the Foxes, who want the full £80m+ up front.
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