MANCHESTER UNITED have confirmed that a deal to sign Raphael Varane has been agreed with Real Madrid.
The Real Madrid star is set to undergo a medical at Old Trafford ahead of a move.
Meanwhile Man Utd are looking at a number of midfield targets should Paul Pogba choose to leave, with Saul Niguez believed to be among the most likely to join.
And Kieran Trippier could yet join the Red Devils towards the end of the transfer window, with Atletico Madrid £1bn in debt.
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Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
- Nyle Smith
SAY CHEESE
Despite all the speculation surrounding Paul Pogba's future at Manchester United this summer, something that will bode well with the Red Devil supporters is the Frenchman being picture in the away kit ahead of it's official release.
PSG are said to be hot on the pursuit to bring Pogba to the capital of his home country and reports suggest that the 28-year-old is unwilling to renew his contract.
It doesn't confirm that the midfield maestro is staying at the club but it does restore some hope on many who may have believed that his career at Old Trafford is up for a second time.
Credit: Adidas Australia - Nyle Smith
TU INFINITY AND BEYOND
With serial winner Raphael Varane virtually through the door, it seems as if Ole Gunnar-Solskjaer is looking to offload some centre-backs of his own to make way for the new signing.
And Axel Tuanzebe could potentially be the sacrifice as reports suggest that Aston Villa want to land the defenders signature.
However, Football Insider have reported that there has been a twist in the tale because according to the publication Newcastle have gone ahead of Aston Villa in the chase.
Let's see how this one unfolds.
- sstreet
LONG TRIP
Manchester United are still in with a chance of signing Kieran Trippier, who is keen on joining his boyhood club according to reports.
But the MEN claim if a deal is there to be done it will happen towards the end of the transfer window.
The Red Devils are willing to let Brandon Williams leave on loan and Diogo Dalot go permanently, opening up a spot for Trippier.
However, there are concerns Atletico Madrid may yet price him out of a move.
The Spanish club are £1bn in debt though, meaning they may well look to sell for a price United are willing to pay.
- Craig Mahood
UNFAIR-DRYER
Sir Alex doubled up with laughter after giving one of his famous hairdryer blasts to the WRONG Manchester United twin.
Fabio has revealed how Fergie ended up crying out "Oh, f***ing hell!" after finally realising he had confused the Brazilian with his brother Rafael.
And they claim United players and staff mixed them up as much as did rivals, match officials and fans.
READ MORE FROM THE TWINS
- Craig Mahood
BREAKING: FRIENDLY OFF!
Manchester United's weekend friendly with Preston on Saturday is OFF.
United revealed a 'small, suspected group' of Covid cases at the club led to the difficult decision.
Those people are now self-isolating as per guidance.
A club statement tonight reads:
Maintaining COVID security is a priority for Manchester United.
Following routine testing of the first-team training group today (Thursday), we have identified a small number of suspected positive cases.
This has led to those people isolating, pending further tests.As a precautionary measure based on COVID protocols, we have taken the difficult decision that we will not now be able to play the friendly match against Preston North End this Saturday (31 July).
We regret the disruption to Preston North End and disappointment caused to fans.
Any Manchester United supporters who have purchased tickets for the game will be automatically refunded.
At this stage, we do not expect further disruption around our forthcoming matches, but we will continue to follow Premier League protocols in this regard.
Manchester UnitedClub website
- Craig Mahood
RED NEV
Ruben Neves could be set to join compatriot Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford.
That's because Sky Bet have slashed the price of the Wolves man making the move to United.
As high as 16/1, United are now 2/1 favourites to land the midfielder.
- Craig Mahood
UN-FERG-ETTABLE
Sir Alex Ferguson is set to be immortalised with a 'larger than life' bronze statue outside Aberdeen's stadium in tribute to him 'putting them on the football map'.
News of the honour was confirmed by The Dons chairman Dave Cormack ahead of their Europa Conference League second leg tie against BK Hacken tonight in Gothenberg.
Fittingly, this was the same city where Sir Alex and his team famously beat Real Madrid in Cup Winners' Cup final of 1983, which remains the greatest achievement in the club's history to this day.
Fergie also led the Scottish side to three league titles, four Scottish Cups and a Scottish League Cup, as well as the European Super Cup, as Aberdeen overcame Hamburg SV over two legs in 1983.
READ MORE HERE
- Craig Mahood
PHIL-ING GOOD
Phil Jones is set to return for Manchester United after 18 months out with a knee injury.
The 29-year-old defender has been at Old Trafford for over a decade but last played in the FA Cup win at Tranmere in January 2020.
France’s World-Cup winning centre-half Raphael Varane will finally complete his transfer move from Real Madrid to the Red Devils this week.
Now Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is due to receive another boost as the England international nears a return to action.
And Jones’ comeback has opened the door for youngster Axel Tuanzebe to head out on loan in search of regular action with Newcastle leading the chase.
- Craig Mahood
TAKE CARE
Sergio Ramos has reached out to Raphael Varane with a cheeky message ahead of his imminent move to Manchester United.
The two star centre-backs formed a rock-solid duo in Los Blancos' defence during their time together at the Santiago Bernabeu.
And Ramos wanted to publicly bid his former partner farewell in a special manner.
The 35-year-old then joked that if they ever face each other then Varane will have to favour PSG because they are French.
The picture above captioned with:
Dear Rapha, I can only thank you for these years of friendship, companionship and triumphs, and wish you luck in a new stage that will surely be exciting.
If we face each other, always with the team of your country, right? Take care.Sergio RamosInstagram
- Craig Mahood
VINICIUS ON THE MOVE?
Gareth Bale's change in status due to Brexit could force a string of transfers, reports say.
Real Madrid are only allowed three non-EU players to be registered in their squads for the new season.
With Brexit, Bale joins Rodryo, Eder Militao and Vinicius Jr in that regard.
Should Bale stay, it could mean Vinicius Jr has to look for a new club.
He has been linked with a move to the Premier League, with reports claiming he had been offered to Manchester United in the Raphael Varane negotiations.
- Craig Mahood
'DON'T STRETCH'
Skipper Harry Maguire fires a warning to Donny van de Beek as he skippered the United side last night.
Maguire making sure the midfielder doesn't stretch his captain's armband!
- Craig Mahood
EXPENSIVE JULES
Chelsea have been told to stump up £68million if they want to sign highly rated French defender Jules Kounde from Sevilla, according to reports.
The Blues have already had a bid rejected for the 22-year-old centre-back, believed to be worth £30m plus Kurt Zouma.
Man Utd are also thought to be keen on the Sevilla star to add to their Raphael Varane signing.
But according to Goal, the LaLiga outfit are looking to get a fee close to Kounde's release clause, which is believed to be £68m.
- Craig Mahood
'MUTUAL FEELING'
Ex-Manchester United twins Rafael and Fabio say Wayne Rooney ramped up one of club football's most hostile rivalries by telling them Liverpool rival Steven Gerrard "hated them".
The Brazilian full-backs, 31, say "the feeling was mutual" after Old Trafford great Rooney told them England team-mate Gerrard called them "pr***s".
Rafael and Fabio only arrived at United from Fluminense in 2008 but the rivalry with Liverpool's during Alex Ferguson's legendary reign was still as intense as ever.
Wayne Rooney told us that Steven Gerrard hated us.
He said that Gerrard told him on international duty, ‘those twins, they are p***ks!’.
We never did anything to him but wear a different shade of red. I guess that’s all it takes.
And to be honest, I understood what he meant. The feeling was mutual.RafaelThe Athletic
- Craig Mahood
BETTER WITH BAILLY?
The Raphael Varane deal will be announced imminently it would appear.
But his stats perhaps do not tell the full story with United outcast Bailly ranking ahead of him in certain attributes.
Bailly has made 1.30 interceptions per 90 minutes compared to 1.18 by Varane in all competitions since August 2019.
The Ivory Coast defender won 2.34 aerial balls per match compared to 2.33 by Varane.
Bailly also made more recoveries with 6.38 per 90 minutes as opposed to an average of 5.03 by by the France defender.
- Craig Mahood
HAALAND HINT
The Erling Haaland saga rolls on but his latest hint is that he'll be staying put, as a blow to some of his Premier League suitors.
Chelsea, Man City and Man Utd have all had registered interest in the Norwegian star.
But he has been speaking about new boy Donyell Malen and how excited he is to work alongside him – suggesting his plan is to remain at Dormund.
I told him to give me a lot of assists, otherwise I'll get mad at him.
I hope we will play together in the offence. He's here to make a difference.
He has to bring a positive energy and deliver from the first minute because BVB is a big club.Erling Haaland
- Craig Mahood
ODDS TUMBLING
Ruben Neves moving to Manchester United seemed unlikely when priced at 16/1 with the bookies.
That price has plummeted and now Neves is 2/1 to join compatriot Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford.
Ruben Neves next club – Sky Bet odds
- Manchester Utd – 2/1
- Arsenal – 5/1
- Tottenham – 12/1
- Atletico Madrid – 16/1
- Liverpool – 18/1
- Everton – 20/1
- Benfica – 25/1
- Porto – 25/1
- Chelsea – 33/1
- Manchester City – 33/1
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T's & C's
DREAM TEAM
Raphael Varane will kick off the season as a £4.5million signing for your Dream Team side.
That would put the World Cup winner level with Harry Maguire, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben Chilwell and Reece James.
Joao Cancelo and Virgil van Dijk remain the joint-most expensive defenders ahead of the new campaign at £5.0m each.
Click here to play Dream Team now
PAUL NEXT CLUB?
So we said earlier how some outlandish reports claimed Pogba had been offered to Liverpool.
Well it seems there are only three clubs in the running for the midfielder at the minute.
And here are how Skybet rate their chances.
- Paris Saint-Germain – 5/4
- Juventus – 9/1
- Real Madrid – 10/1
SIR ALEX STATUE
Aberdeen have commissioned a bronze statue of Sir Alex Ferguson as they honour their club icon.
The legendary manager led the Dons to their European Cup Winners' Cup triumph in 1983.
While they also won three league titles, four Scottish Cups, a League Cup and European Super Cup during his tenure.
Now, ahead of the club's 40th anniversary of their Gothenburg victory, Aberdeen chief Dave Cormack has revealed that the club have commissioned the statue in partnership with the AFC Heritage Trust.
Sir Alex’s contribution to the club was immense and it’s fitting that we honour him in this way.
His arrival at Pittodrie heralded the start of the most successful period in the club’s history and put Aberdeen firmly on the football map of Europe.SAUL BOOST
Both Man Utd and Liverpool have received a further boost in their Saul Niguez chase, with the player 'seriously considering' his future, reports say.
Saul captained Atletico in their second pre-season game last night.
His contract isn't up until 2026 and reports earlier claimed Liverpool were readying a £41 million bid for the player.
With Mundo Deportivo saying Atletico 'won't stand in his way' but will look for a fee valid of his 'importance and hierarchy'.
MORE OLE LOVE
More from the club to Ole on his 25th anniversary since his first arrival at the club.
What a year to win the Premier League it would be….
- Craig Mahood
POGBA NEXT CLUB?
How about this one….Paul Pogba to Liverpool?
Unlikely? Absolutely. But Le10Sport claim the Anfield side have been offered the chance to sign him.
His career at United does look like coming to an end as speculation hots up around a move away this summer.
But to Anfield? Probably not.
- Giacomo Pisa
VIEW FROM THE STANDS
Here's a look at Andreas Pereira's belter against Brentford last night from a pitch side angle.
That is an absolute scorcher.
- Giacomo Pisa
YOUNG GUN
Manchester United youngster Charlie McCann has decided to leave old Trafford and join Steven Gerrard's Rangers.
The 19-year-olds contract with the Red Devils ran out in June with the youngster opting for a move north of the border.
And the Manchester Evening News are reporting Rangers may have to pay United up to £750,000 in compensation for the teenager who was a regular for the Manchester United's U-23s last season.
- Giacomo Pisa
WATCHING ON
Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is enjoying watching the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
The Portugese Roma boss has posted a video of him and his coaching staff celebrating Jorge Fonseca win bronze in the men's -100kg for Portugal.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Jose Mourinho (@josemourinho)
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