PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has reportedly played a significant role in the talks for Qatari royal Sheikh Jassim to purchase Manchester United.
The takeover of Man Utd is now down to a two-horse race including Sheikh Jassim and British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe.
Meanwhile, Chelsea fans are keen to cash in on Manchester United target Mason Mount after identifying youngster Cesare Casadei as the “next Frank Lampard.”
And United have received a transfer boost after Real Madrid lined up an alternative to Harry Kane.
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Stay up to date with all the latest from Old Trafford…
- By Emillia Hawkins
BREAKING: PSG chief involved in Man Utd takeover talks
Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has played a significant role in talks surrounding the takeover of Man Utd by a group fronted by Qatari royal Sheikh Jassim, according to The Athletic.
The takeover of Man Utd is now down to a two-horse race including Sheikh Jassim and British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe.
Sheikh Jassim’s bid team initially consulted Al-Khelaifi for advice on United’s valuation, with the Glazer family demanding £6.4billion for the club.
But the PSG boss was recently contacted by the Glazers, who wanted him to talk Sheikh Jassim in to increasing his offer.
Al-Khelaifi, who is acting as an adviser for Sheikh Jassim, has met the Glazers and Raine Group, the American bank that is conducting the sale, to discuss the takeover of Man Utd.
However, several English clubs now want the Premier League to investigate the source of funds.
- By Emillia Hawkins
Well I Nev-er
Phil Neville has joined the Canadian national team as part of John Herdman's coaching staff.
The former Manchester United star was sacked by Inter Miami last week.
Credit: Getty - By Emillia Hawkins
Casemiro wins award
Casemiro has been named Manchester United's Player of the Month for May.
Credit: EPA
- By Emillia Hawkins
Lindelof to Stay
Man Utd are NOT willing to sell Victor Lindelof this summer.
The defender had received interest from both Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan, but according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, he is "untouchable" for Erik ten Hag.
Credit: Getty - By Emillia Hawkins
Kane to Play
Man Utd have received a transfer boost after Real Madrid lined up an alternative to Harry Kane.
The Spanish giants are in the market for a striker as they look to replace Karim Benzema.
Benzema completed his shock exit from the Santiago Bernabeu this week and was presented by Saudi champions Al-Ittihad on Thursday.
Kane had been singled out as a potential replacement by Real Madrid, who have reportedly lined up a bid for the Tottenham man.
However, their lowball offer is understood to be worth just £68million, far below Spurs' £100million valuation.
As a result, The Athletic now report that Lautaro Martinez has emerged as an alternative option.
Martinez is seen as a cheaper target, with Inter Milan said to value him at around £70million.
- By Emillia Hawkins
New Look
Chelsea fans are keen to cash in on Manchester United target Mason Mount.
That’s after identifying youngster Cesare Casadei as the “next Frank Lampard.”
Chelsea are set for a midfield overhaul this summer as they brace themselves for a number of transfer exits, including N'Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic.
England star Mount is also edging towards an exit after refusing to sign a new deal, with United leading the race.
But the Red Devils are reluctant to meet Chelsea’s £70million price tag, with talks now at an impasse.
Both parties now face an anxious wait over Mount’s future, but Blues fans feel their club should cash in quickly for a cheaper figure because there’s a ready-made replacement already at Stamford Bridge.
Italian ace Casadei, 20, joined Chelsea from Inter Milan last summer and spent the season on loan at Reading.
He’s now shining at the U20s World Cup, becoming the tournament’s top scorer with seven goals so far.
And Chelsea supporters reckon Casadei needs to form part of Mauricio Pochettino’s first-team squad next term, with the youngster showing himself to be in the style of club legend Lampard.
Credit: EPA - By Emillia Hawkins
Wait a Min
Man Utd have reportedly been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Kim Min-jae.
That’s after the star was offered a new contract by Napoli removing his £42million release clause.
United are thought to be keen on signing Kim this summer after his stunning debut season in Italy.
The South Korean centre-back played 35 times as Napoli won their first Serie A title in nearly three decades.
United boss Erik ten Hag is now hoping to bring Kim to the Premier League once a £42m transfer release clause becomes active in his contract.
Newcastle are also monitoring the situation as they consider making a bid.
But Napoli are reportedly planning to stun suitors by tying Kim down to a new deal which removes his impending clause.
The Telegraph claims the defender has already been presented with fresh terms by the champions.
And the bargain £42m option will be taken out entirely, preventing sides from landing Kim on the cheap.
The report adds that Napoli are yet to hold talks with any sides over Kim.
Credit: Alamy - By Emillia Hawkins
Ben to Stay
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster has signed a new one-year contract with Wrexham.
The 40-year-old came out of retirement to sign for the Welsh side in March.
He originally penned a short-term deal until the end of the 2022-23 campaign, but he is now set to stay beyond the summer.
Foster told Wrexham's club media: "At the end of last season it was obvious that I enjoyed being at the Club, I loved being part of the team and everything that Wrexham stands for.
"The fans took to me so warmly, Phil Parkinson is brilliant, Steve Parkin is top class, I love Aidan Davison to bits, and the Co-Chairmen are out of this world.
"I’d decided before the end of last season I wanted to do it, because it feels like home. I’ve never joined a football club and felt at ease so quickly."
Credit: Getty - By Emillia Hawkins
Red-emption
Harry Maguire is reluctant to leave Manchester United this summer, according to talkSPORT.
The defender has been heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford in recent weeks.
However, he wants to fight for his spot in Erik ten Hag's squad.
Ten Hag wants to SELL Maguire to fund a move for Napoli star Kim Min-jae.
Credit: The Mega Agency
- By Emillia Hawkins
Going in Low
Real Madrid are “set to offer a shockingly low transfer bid” to Tottenham as the scramble to sign Harry Kane begins.
The striker overtook Wayne Rooney to become the second-highest Premier League goalscorer last month.
The England captain, who is also our country’s all-time top marksman, has now taken his tally to 279 goals in 435 games for the club and is Tottenham’s record scorer.
But it has been another year of disappointment for him at club level and he is still yet to win a trophy during his incredible career.
Manchester United have made the star one of their top summer transfer targets as Kane’s future remains in the spotlight.
However, it has now emerged that Spanish giants Real are leading the race for the star after losing Karim Benzema in a shock move to Saudi Arabia.
We reported how Real’s move for the talisman is now in doubt thanks to Daniel Levy’s demands.
The Tottenham chief is reportedly refusing to sell for less than £100m, despite Kane’s age and contract status.
Now Marca have shed further light on their planned approach – and how much they are set to start the bidding war at.
They claim that due to arrival of Brazilian Endrick next summer, and with hopes of a move for the younger Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe being lined-up for 2025, Los Blancos are reluctant to break the bank for a player who turns 30 next month.
Therefore, they claim that Madrid are willing to make a bid of around £68m to Spurs for Kane.
And that could open the door for long-term suitors Man United to make an approach.
Credit: AFP - By Alex Terrell
No Ray of hope
Manchester United are ready to pull out of the race for David Raya as both them and Tottenham are currently refusing to meet his £40 million asking price.
The 27-year-old is ready to leave the Bees this summer after twice rejecting the offer of a new Brentford contract.
He now only has 12 months remaining on his current deal.
We revealed how Raya, 27, is ready to make the move across London after emerging as Spurs’ first choice to replace veteran captain Hugo Lloris this summer.
United, who have told David De Gea he is not assured of being No1 next season if he pens an extension, are also targeting the star.
However, a new update from Sky Sports has cast doubts on his exit.
They state that both United and Spurs “do not currently agree that Raya is worth that amount” with just one-year remaining on his contract.
And they add that “there has been no contact yet with the Bees”.
- By Alex Terrell
Morning, United fans
Axel Disasi could be United's first summer signing – while Nicolo Barella has joined their list of midfield targets.
And the Red Devils are reportedly preparing an opening bid for Mason Mount.
Monaco's France centre-back Axel Disasi has also been linked with Manchester City and Chelsea.
But it's claimed United are ready to launch talks on signing the 25-year-old for around £34million to £43m.
That's despite the Red Devils remaining favourites to land Napoli defender Kim Min-jae.
Meanwhile, England playmaker Mount is reportedly keen to join United.
And the Red Devils are said to be "calm" despite Chelsea so far holding firm on their £70million valuation.
United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Newcastle are regarded as “crazy” about Inter Milan midfielder Barella.
Finally, Barcelona boss Xavi appears to have cleared the way for the Red Devils and Chelsea to fight it out for Neymar.
Xavi responded to the PSG striker sounding out his old club by saying: “I really like Ney as a friend, but we have different priorities.”
- By Ian Tuckey
Hammers want Prem record for Rice
EXCLUSIVE: West Ham will start a £110million bidding war for Declan Rice after owner David Sullivan finally confirmed their captain can leave, writes JORDAN DAVIES.
The Hammers will demand a Premier League record fee — in excess of the £106m Chelsea paid Benfica for Argentine World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez.
Rice, 24, led the Irons to their first major European trophy since 1965 on Wednesday.
More than 70,000 fans lined the streets of East London to hail their heroes on their open-top bus victory parade.
Arsenal are expected to bid for England midfielder Rice in the coming days, while both Manchester clubs and Bayern Munich could soon follow.
Asked if Rice had played his last game for West Ham, Sullivan said: “It has to be. We promised him he could go. He set his heart on going.
“You can’t ask for a man who has committed more to us this season.
“In due course, he has to get on and we have to get a replacement — or several replacements.
“It’s not something we want to happen. We offered him £200,000 a week 18 months ago. He turned it down.
“It’s cost him £10m to stay at West Ham in that time [in lost wages]. He wants to go. You can’t keep a player who doesn’t want to be there.”
- By Ian Tuckey
Fans slashing TV subscriptions
Fans are cutting back drastically on sports TV subscriptions, a survey shows.
Investment platform Saxo found 41 per cent of 1,000 people watching sports on TV have unsubscribed from at least one such package due to rising costs.
A monthly subscription to Sky Sports, BT Sport, DAZN and Amazon Prime costs a combined £83 per month.
And that type of commitment is a growing burden amid the cost-of-living crisis.
Those aged between 16-24 were hit hardest, with 60 per cent cancelling at least one subscription to a sports channel, more than any other age group.
Over half of sports fans in Greater London (54%) have cancelled at least one subscription to a sports channel, more than anywhere else in the UK.
And 46% of fans who attend sporting events revealed that the cost of living crisis has also dissuaded them from going to games.
Scotland (61%), Wales (57%) and the South East (53%) are the regions where most people have attended fewer sporting events, with Greater London (37%) and the East Midlands (40%) least affected.
Saxo's Harry Leyburn said: “The results of this survey suggest that even live sports isn’t impervious to the cost of living crisis which has gripped the UK since late 2021.
“The obsessive enthusiasm of live sports fans has made it undoubtedly one of the undisputed financial successes of the 21st century and typically ‘recession-proof’. However, even the fervent passion of fans is starting to wane."
- By Ian Tuckey
Hend of the road
Nottingham Forest are confident about signing Manchester United loanee Dean Henderson.
Forest are not keen on paying as much as £25million for Henderson, but are still confident that a deal could be reached with United.
The goalkeeper was loaned to the City Ground last season and missed the second half of the season due to injury.
According to The Athletic, however, an agreement for the England international could be wrapped up quickly once David de Gea’s reduced-terms deal is made official.
- By Ian Tuckey
'Randal wouldn't guarantee United goals'
Randal Kolo Muani is not quite the prolific goalscorer Manchester United need, ex-Red Devils striker Louis Saha believes.
United have been linked with Eintracht Frankfurt's £105million-rated France speedster, 24..
And he was directly involved in more Bundesliga goals this season than anyone else, scoring 12 times and providing 10 assists in his 26 games.
But Saha reckons he has "different type of qualities to Harry Kane".
He told Betway:"Kolo Muani has a hunger to always score goals, keeps himself busy on the pitch and can be very versatile.
"He's a player who the Manchester United players will find easy to play with because he's very smart in the way he plays.
"Kolo Muani won't have any issues with the fitness or physicality needed in the Premier League.
"He can run all day and press high-up like we've seen with Wout Weghorst. He's shown it for France with Kylian Mbappe, they connected instantly.
I'm sure Manchester United's strategy is to win or challenge for the Premier League title, and if they want to do that then they need guaranteed goals.
"There are very few players who can provide those guarantees, and there are players like Kolo Muani, who are in the tier just below who would improve the quality of the squad but not guarantee goals."
- By Ian Tuckey
Red Devils set for first Mason bid
Manchester United are preparing an “opening bid” for Chelsea star Mason Mount.
The Blues’ won’t lower Mount’s asking price, which is said to cost a whopping £70million, but the playmaker is keen to move to Old Trafford.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano tweeted: “Manchester United are preparing their opening bid for Mason Mount but the main issue remains Chelsea’s position on price tag.
“Man Utd remain calm as Mount’s keen on the move — strategy game on.”
- By Ian Tuckey
'Crime' if De Gea leaves'
Manchester United coach Benni McCarthy says it would be a "CRIME" to let David de Gea leave
De Gea's future at the club is uncertain following a string of high-profile errors.
The Spaniard's contract is up at the end of the month thus prompting rumours he has played his final game for the Red Devils.
However, SunSport understands they are keen to keep him on reduced terms.
This is a view backed by the club's attacking coach McCarthy, who helped transform Marcus Rashford.
Speaking to 947 Joburg, he said: "He kept 17 clean sheets in the league. Yes, of course you're going to concede but to win the Golden Glove for yet another season is remarkable.
"You see how difficult the league is. I understand everyone has a bad game here and there but it doesn't stop him being one of the best goalkeepers I have seen or worked with. He is unbelievable.
"I get to see first hand more than what most people get to see. You see it only on a Saturday, you see a player make a mistake and the critics hit the roof.
"But I get to spend every single day with him and he is an unbelievable guy, a great lad, very intelligent and one of the best goalkeepers I have seen.
"It would be a crime if Man United lose a goalkeeper like David de Gea."
- By Ian Tuckey
Utd in queue for Barella
Manchester United are one of four Premier League clubs “crazy” about Inter Milan ace Nicolo Barella.
According to SportMediaset, Barella is one of several midfield targets ahead of the summer transfer window.
Manchester City, Liverpool and Newcastle complete the quartet of potential suitors for the Italy international.
City will have the chance to take a closer look at the 26-year-old on Saturday as they face Inter in the Champions League Final.
As for the Reds, the signing of Alexis Mac Allister is not thought to be the end of their midfield arrivals before next season.
And the Magpies are looking to build a Champions League team after their qualification to Europe’s elite competition.
- By Ian Tuckey
More stars will be Ron their way here
Cristiano Ronaldo believes that his move to Saudi Arabia earlier this year has opened 'a box' for other players to make the switch.
Ronaldo left Manchester United before signing a record-breaking £175million-a-year deal at Al-Nassr.
Since then, the Saudi Pro League has become more involved in the European transfer market, with moves for some of football's biggest stars.
Lionel Messi was long linked with a move to Al-Hilal before joining Inter Miami.
Last week, Karim Benzema – the reigning Ballon d'Or – completed a shock move to Al-Ittihad.
Speaking during a brand event, Ronaldo said: "I knew that me going to Saudi Arabia would open a box and I wasn’t wrong.
"I’m sure in a couple of years or three, this league is going to be one of the most important leagues in the world. Karim left already and I am 1000 per cent sure that many more players will".
French striker Benzema has signed a three-year deal with the Saudi champions worth 86million-a-season, ending his 14 years at Real Madrid.
Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante is also on the cusp of sealing an £86m-a-year move to Al-Ittihad.
Al-Hilal – who finished third last season – are also rumoured to be keen on Barcelona legends Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets. Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez, who is chasing a Treble this season, has also been linked with a deal, this time at Al Ahli.
- By Ian Tuckey
Combined XI of Utd 1999 and City 2023
Manchester City are ready for their date with destiny and the chance to win a historic Treble, writes JOHN HUTCHINSON.
Pep Guardiola's side meet Inter Milan in Saturday's Champions League final, ready to match United's triple from 1998-99.
So who who makes our combined XI from the two great Manchester teams?
There is nothing easier on the eye than attacking football – which has led us to go for a 3-4-3 formation.
But picking the goalkeeper proved the hardest task.
And in the end we went with three out-and-out goal-getters – with United having six players to City's five.
- By Ian Tuckey
United and Chelsea in Neymar boost
Barcelona boss Xavi appears to have cleared the way for Manchester United and Chelsea to fight it out for Neymar.
Xavi responded to the PSG striker reportedly sounded out his old club by saying: “I really like Ney as a friend, but we have different priorities."
United have been regarded as frontrunners for the Brazil superstar.
But it's claimed Chelsea opened talks over the 31-year-old earlier this week.
It follows Barcelona legend Lionel Messi yesterday rejecting hopes of a "dream" move back from PSG and joined David Beckham's Inter Miami.
- By Ian Tuckey
Huge VAR changes
Premier League chiefs have decided against using World Cup-style offside technology next season, writes MARTIN LIPTON.
But extra VAR cameras WILL be brought in at every top flight ground – in a bid to stop two of the blunders that took place last term.
Fifa’s Semi-Automated Offside Technology used limb-tracking cameras to pinpoint the exact position of every player on the pitch, plus a chip in the ball to determine if it was played by a defender or attacker.
The cameras were then deployed to provide a computer-generated 3D animation that was shown on stadium big screens and by broadcasters.
Fifa’s system was a big success, as was Uefa's use of SAOT – although European chiefs opted to use the version that did not include the chip in ball technology.
It was expected that the Prem would seek to adopt the system for next season, which is the path that is being taken by La Liga in Spain.
- By Ian Tuckey
Axel could be first in
Manchester United are close to completing their first signing of the summer transfer window.
United are in the market for a centre-back having struggled for cover after Lisandro Martinez got injured.
According to L’Equipe, the Red Devils are close to signing Monaco star Axel Disasi, who was also linked with Manchester City and Chelsea.
The two clubs are set to begin talks for a deal between £34million-£43m, which the Manchester giants are believed to be ready to match.
- By Kostas Lianos
Forest confident on Henderson
Nottingham Forest are confident about signing Manchester United loanee Dean Henderson.
Forest are not keen on paying as much as £25million for Henderson, but are still confident that a deal could be reached with United.
The goalkeeper was loaned to the City Ground last season and missed the second half of the season due to injury.
According to The Athletic, however, an agreement for the England international could be wrapped up quickly once David de Gea's reduced-terms deal is made official.
Credit: PA
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