MANCHESTER UNITED are still hoping to land Jadon Sancho from Dortmund – but BVB boss Lucien Favre says it is "important" he stays in Germany.
This comes as Douglas Costa's agents have held talks with the club in case they turn to other targets, while David De Gea looks set to remain between the sticks next season.
Get all the latest updates and gossip from Old Trafford here…
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CON-DEMBED
Manchester United's hunt for a new winger goes on after the club were warned off a bid for Ousmane Dembele.
Amid massive upheaval at Barcelona, the French forward has been named as a key young player for the club to build around.
Blaugrana president Josep Maria Bartomeu, fresh from the exits of coach Quique Setien and sporting director Eric Abidal, reassured supporters on Tuesday evening that key players will not leave.
And, despite mustering only nine appearances in an injury-ravaged campaign, £135.5million signing Dembele is considered indispensable at the Camp Nou.
Bartomeu named the 23-year-old alongside Lionel Messi, Frenkie de Jong and Antoine Griezmann as “non-transferable”.
He told Barca TV: “Messi is untouchable & non-transferable. He knows it, we all know it.
“But there are various non-transferable players like [Marc-Andre] ter Stegen, [Clement] Lenglet, [Nelson] Semedo, De Jong, Griezmann, Dembele… players we are counting on in the future.”
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ANGEL'S DELIGHT
Former Manchester United flop Angel Di Maria helped seal Paris Saint-Germain's place in the Champions League tonight.
The Argentine winger bagged the second goal of the game against RB Leipzig.
Neymar and Co prevailed 3-0 in the one-legged semi-final to seal their first ever appearance in the Champions League showpiece.
Di Maria has scored 82 goals in 220 appearances for PSG, compared to just four goals in 32 games during his disappointing stint at Old Trafford.
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CONTDOWN
Manchester United defender Chris Smalling is reportedly wanted by Inter Milan.
Antonio Conte is keen on the defender who impressed in Italian football on loan at Roma last season.
Gazetta reports Conte thinks Smalling has the necessary “experience” to turn his Inter side into title contenders.
The former Chelsea manager has already raided United for Alexis Sanchez, Romelu Lukaku and Ashley Young.
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DOUBLE TROUBLE
Manchester United are reportedly lining up a double swoop for Douglas Costa AND Alex Sandro.
CalcioMercato reports the Red Devils are considering a move for both the Juventus stars.
And it could set Ole Gunnar Solskjaer back around £72million.
Costa could be an alternative to Jadon Sancho as the transfer saga around the Borussia Dortmund ace rumbles on.
The report states Juve are ready to cash in on Costa after he failed to hit the heights expected of him.
United have also reportedly gone back in for 29-year-old Brazilian left-back Sandro as they look to strengthen their squad.
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YOU CAN CALL ME, AL
Manchester United target David Alaba could join a Premier League side in the next two weeks.
The Austria defender has rejected Bayern Munich's initial offer to extend his contract.
And Sky Sports reports he could be on the move by the end of August.
Neighbours Man City and Chelsea are also reportedly interested in the converted centre-back.
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DAVID DE STAYER
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskajer has reportedly backed David De Gea as his No1 for next season.
And the Norwegian boss will ship Dean Henderson out on loan again.
De Gea's form has been under the microscope after a number of high-profile howlers, notably in the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea.
But The Mirror reports De Gea will be given at least another season as United's first-choice between the sticks.
Henderson excelled on loan at Sheffield United and has been linked with a move to Chelsea, but his future remains uncertain for now, with Sergio Romero also set to remain at Old Trafford as No2.
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FRED UP
Manchester United midfielder Fred said he is proud to be a Red Devil despite crashing out of the Europa League.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side lost their third semi-final of the season against Sevilla on Sunday.
And Fred said on Instagram: “Yesterday was a tough and painful night, but I’m sure we fought until the last minute and I am proud to be part of this team.
“Another season that ends, I want to thank God and everyone who supported us. Now it’s time to get some rest and get ready for the next season. UNITED!”
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Yesterday was a tough and painful night, but I'm sure we fought until the last minute. Proud to be part of this team. ?? Another season that ends, I want to thank God and everyone who supported us. Now it's time to get some rest and get ready for the next one! U N I T E D ?
A post shared byFred Rodrigues (@fred08oficial) on
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DO ME A FAVRE
Borussia Dortmund boss Lucien Favre has dealt a blow to Manchester United's chase of Jadon Sancho.
The German side's manager said it was vital Sancho stayed put after the club said he would remain with them.
The England star, 20, has played two pre-season friendlies already but United are still dreaming of a deal.
Favre told Der Westen: “It is important that he stays with us. That is of course also important for the team.
“Sancho is of course a very good player but he must also have in mind that he still has a lot to learn.”
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DEAN DEAL
Sheffield United are reportedly preparing another loan offer for Manchester United keeper Dean Henderson.
Henderson spent the 2019-20 season on loan with the Blades and impressed with his showings between the sticks.
And despite having agreed a fee of £18.5million with relegated Bournemouth for shot-stopper Aaron Ramsdale, ESPN reports Sheffield United are weighing up submitting a loan offer.
The report states talks are ongoing.
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DIOP IN THE OCEAN
Manchester United have been boosted by the news West Ham are reportedly ready to sell Issa Diop.
The Red Devils want a new centre-back and have been linked with a move for the 23-year-old Hammer.
And Sky Sports reports David Moyes' side are ready to cash in on their French star.
The report suggests the East London side are “willing to listen to offers of £45million”.
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JUAN WAY OR ANOTHER
Ex-Manchester United star Juan Sebastian Veron has compared his career to that of Old Trafford flop Alexis Sanchez.
Sanchez finally ended his weary spell as a Red Devil with a permanent move to Inter Milan in this window.
And Argentine Veron – who similarly struggled after arriving at United with big billing after impressing at Lazio – drew links between the two.
Via the Manchester Evening News, he said: “Personally, I had some ups and downs at Manchester United, but I was at my best in Italy.
“I believe a player really finds he belongs in one league more than another. I know I did and I think that’s true of Alexis Sanchez too.”
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BETTER CALL SAL
Manchester United have been drawn in the same group as Salford for the EFL Trophy.
Salford are owned by a number of the Class of 92 including Gary Neville and David Beckham.
And they will face their Old Trafford neighbours for the first EVER time.
Salford had reached the final in last's season's edition but it was scrapped amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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PAUL YOUR SOCKS UP!
Manchester United legend Paul Ince was mocked for falsely suggesting Arsenal don't have statues of club legends Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp.
The former midfielder was discussing the news that Man City are to honour David Silva's legacy with a statue outside the Eithad.
Live on BT Sport, he said: “You look at the Henry’s and Bergkamp’s and he’s up there.
“But I don’t see a statue of Bergkamp or Henry outside the Arsenal so…”
But Arsenal DO have statues of their iconic pair, Henry's was erected in 2011 and Bergkamp's three years later.
And fans were quick to pounce on the error suggesting Ince should have done his homework.
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ZEBRA CROSSING
This is a leaked version of United's third kit for next season has been leaked.
The 'zebra' design has split fans on social media, but the club and Adidas have yet to confirm what next season's shirt will look like.
This shirt, shared by FootyHeadlines.com, looks genuine and is on a model's shoulders, but fans are still waiting to see if it is genuine.
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STAY ANOTHER DAY
Lucien Favre has told Jadon Sancho he wants the winger to stay at the club next season.
Sancho is United’s top transfer target this season and has begun training with the Bundesliga club ahead of their season’s resumption on September 19.
The Dortmund boss told Der Westen: “It is important that he stays with us.
“That is of course also important for the team.”
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TEAM OF THE WEEK
Bruno Fernandes has been named in the Europa League team of the week.
Unsurprisingly, the team is dominated by Inter and Sevilla stars, who will meet in Friday's final.
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KANE TRANSFER ODDS
Real Madrid are favourites with the bookies to sign Harry Kane.
The Tottenham Hotspur ace has long been linked with a move away from North London, and as things stand he's 2/1 to join the Spanish giants, according to Ladbrokes.
Manchester United remain the most likely club in England to make a move at 5/2, with Juventus and PSG 9/2 shots apiece.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: “Jose Mourinho will do well to keep hold of his star striker with a whole host of European giants seemingly queuing up for his signature.”
- Real Madrid – 2/1
- Man Utd – 5/2
- Juventus – 9/2
- PSG – 9/2
- Man City – 8/1
- Barcelona – 10/1
- Bayern Munich – 10/1
- Liverpool – 33/1
- Chelsea – 33/1
- Arsenal – 100/1
DO OR DY
Paulo Dybala could be offered to Manchester United again this summer, according to reports.
The Juventus forward, 26, may be used as part of a swap deal to take Paul Pogba back to Serie A.
According to Tuttosport, new Juventus manager Andrea Pirlo will prioritise keeping Cristiano Ronaldo happy.
The Portugal star has been tipped with a stunning Paris Saint-Germain transfer but ensuring he is the centre forward next season could see Dybala pushed out.
Reports earlier this week suggested Dybala was considering his future anyway because he is thought to be sick of being transfer listed.
He still has two years left to run on his current deal at the Allianz Stadium but it is thought negotiations have stalled over an extension after being offered £175,000 a week, while wanting £260,000.
NOU FUTURES HERE
Manchester United are eyeing moves for FOUR cut-price Barcelona stars, with the Catalan giants ready to flog their failing stars.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Ousmane Dembele, Samuel Umtiti, Ivan Rakitic and Arturo Vidal are among the players in the shop window at the Nou Camp.
The four players have all previously been linked with Old Trafford, but the Spanish – and especial Catalan – media have a habit of linking United with any player who is underperforming at Barcelona.
They could all be available on cut-price deals though, with Barca keen to reduce their wage bill to free up some cash to spend on younger players.
After their 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich on Sunday, it is clear incoming manager Ronald Koemnan needs to overhaul the Barcelona squad.
And even Lionel Messi could be at risk.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY RVP
Robin van Persie was unveiled at United after moving from Arsenal on this day in 2012.
What a signing that turned out to be!
THUMBS UP FROM ROM
Romelu Lukaku has tipped old side Manchester United to be “really good” next season after firing Inter Milan to the Europa League final.
Antonio Conte’s Serie A runners-up will face Sevilla on Friday after beating Shakhtar Donetsk 5-0.
However, Belgium star Lukaku believes the Red Devils are on the road to becoming a real force thanks to their front three of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood.
He said: “I think United tried their hardest [in the semi-final]. I think they had a really good season and Ole did a good job.
“The players they did really well, Greenwood's coming through, and Martial and Rashford. I expected all of that.
“I’m really happy for them, they look really good next season, I have no doubt”.
LUK'S RAW DEAL
Owen Hargreaves has hit out at United's treatment of Romelu Lukaku at United after he was frozen out of the team and then sold by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Lukaku is now in the form of his life under Antonio Conte and scored in his 10th consecutive Europa League game for Inter in their 5-0 thumping of Shakhtar Donetsk last night.
Hargreaves said: “I think he got a raw deal at Manchester United.
“I think he felt there was a lot of pressure on him.
“He felt he had a point to prove all the time. He almost played like he was carrying that burden.
“Now he looks like he’s in a place where he’s really confident. I think he deserved a little bit better.”
NOT ANY MAR
Hellas Verona defender Marash Kumbulla has agreed personal terms with Inter Milan ahead of a summer transfer, according to reports.
The 20-year-old has drawn admiring glances from around Europe with his displays in Serie A over the past 12 months.
Manchester United and Chelsea are both believed to have looked at the one-cap Albania international.
But according to Fabrizio Romano, Antonio Conte's Inter have won the race for his signature.
Kumbulla has agreed personal terms with the Italian giants, with a five-year deal on the table.
Inter still have to settle a fee with Hellas Verona, however, before they can officially snap up the highly-rated defender.
NOU MAN IN
Ronald Koeman wants to make Donny van de Beek his first signing as Barcelona manager, according to reports.
The United target, 23, impressed so much during Ajax's march to the Champions League semi-finals, where they were seconds away from qualifying for the final itself.
But after staying on another season at the Johann Cruyff Arena, he is ready for a new challenge, which Edwin van der Sar even acknowledged earlier in the year.
Van der Beek scored 10 goals and grabbed 11 assists for Ajax in all competitions last season and would cost either United or Barcelona £31.6m.
COUNTING THE COST
Douglas Costa's have held talks with Manchester United to establish whether the club would be interested in the Juventus winger, according to reports.
Transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio on Sky Sports News: “Juventus want him to leave. His agents are moving to find a solution, they have talked to Manchester United, to understand if the would be interested.
“They will think about it, but the problem is that Douglas Costa is often injured, so this is a problem for a club that wants to buy him.
“The agents have talked to Manchester United, for sure, and have proposed his transfer.”
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