'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQf/2gAIAQEAAAAAmw//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAECEAAAAF//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC/9oACAEDEAAAAD//xAAfEAACAQQCAwAAAAAAAAAAAAABAwIEBRESAEEGITH/2gAIAQEAAT8Asd8fGmpqm5JRN1WPc0Q1mpAG2IE5xL710OVF58gD2BFzgU7HQzTESx1nn//EABgRAAIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAxES/9oACAECAQE/AJkVKyf/xAAVEQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMf/aAAgBAwEBPwCv/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Hello and welcome back to the Manchester United Transfer News round-up for 4th June 2019. We are back with the top transfer stories of the day involving Manchester United and here are our top five picks for today.
Also Read: Manchester United Transfer News: June 3, 2019
#5 United target linked with Napoli but wants Premier League stay
We start this segment with another story of a right-back linked with United. We revealed just yesterday in this segment that United were monitoring Tottenham right-back Kieran Trippier. Now, the Evening Standard reports that the Englishman wants to stay in the Premier League amid news of a Serie A switch.
After losing the Champions League final to Liverpool, Mauricio Pochettino is willing to make significant changes to his squad, ahead of the new season. And the north London club are ready to offload Trippier as a part of the revamp. The Englishman had an injury-plagued season and failed to build on his World Cup form. And Trippier has now revealed that his future will be discussed in pre-season.
"I want to stay in England, but what can you do?
"I’ll see what happens, and what the club wants, most importantly. I don’t know [if I will be at Spurs next season].
"Everybody’s got a decision to make. Obviously, this club has been very good for me over the last few years, but I’ll enjoy my summer, come back in pre-season and that’s when I’ll sit down with the manager and have a talk about my future."
It is widely rumoured that Napoli are interested in the 28-year-old and have also submitted a £23 million bid for him. And Sky Italia reports that Trippier is also in the radar of Serie A champions Juventus, who see him as a perfect replacement for Joao Cancelo. However, the player himself wants to remain in the Premier League, and this is where United could have an advantage.
The Red Devils are already on the backfoot in the race for his signature as both Italian clubs can offer Trippier Champions League football, while United will play in the Europa League next season. One thing is certain - Trippier certainly is an upgrade to the men at Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's disposal, so the Norwegian might be tempted to go for the Englishman.
#4 Juventus join race to sign Paul Pogba
Strangely, the Paul Pogba saga keeps stretching longer and longer. We had revealed earlier in this segment that Real Madrid were offering as many as three players for the Frenchman in a swap deal. Just yesterday, we had seen Harry Redknapp urge Solskjaer to build his team around Pogba. And today, we have another club sniffing at United's prized asset.
Sky Sports Italia reports that Juventus have joined the race to sign the Frenchman this summer. The Serie A champions have even contacted the player's agent, Mino Raiola and discussed about the probability of a summer switch. Juventus are yet to appoint a manager after the departure of Massimiliano Allegri at the end of the season, and the club are planning a massive revamp to realize their dreams of winning the Champions League.
Interestingly, Pogba moved from United to the Old Lady in 2012 and played the best football of his career in Turin over a space of four years. United paid a then-record £89 million fee for the Frenchman's return to Old Trafford in 2016, but Pogba has failed to replicate that success at United. A move back to the club where he became one of the best in the world could suit the Frenchman, but United will be looking to recoup the £89 million they paid for him. Are Juventus willing to pay that much for the midfielder? We can only wait and watch.
#3 United hit roadblock in pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain right-back
Another day, another story of a right-back associated with United. The Thomas Meunier saga has been going on for quite some time and there were talks that he was very close to becoming Solskjaer's first signing of the summer. However, those claims have taken an U-turn of late. According to The Metro, Meunier has reiterated his desire to stay at the French capital and continue his association with Paris Saint-Germain.
In an interview given to VTM Nieuws, the Dutch news broadcast, the Belgian said:
"I want to stay
"We have been talking about a contract extension for a while, but there’s no offer on the table anymore.
"I’m ready to stay in Paris. Everybody knows."
This will come as a huge blow to United, who were looking at Muenier as a great value for money alternative to Crystal Palace's Aaron Wan-Bissaka. However, the fact that there has been no contract extention as of yet still represents a thin ray of hope for the Red Devils. Now it's left to see whether PSG renew his contract or if United manage to sign him this summer.
#2 Solskjaer in pole position to sign £60m-rated Premier League star
Solskjaer is currently in the market for a new midfielder. With Ander Herrera gone and Nemanja Matic not getting any younger, the Norwegian desperately needs to make new additions to his midfield. And an interesting story involving a new name is currently doing the rounds right now. According to the Independent, United have set their eyes on Leicester City midfielder James Maddison. Despite interest from Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspurs, the Red Devils are the front runners for the Englishman's signature.
Maddison joined Leicester City from Norwich City last season in a deal worth £20 million and hit the ground running with the Foxes. He instantly become one of their most important players and even found a place in the England national team squad. The Englishman represents the kind of player that United want to add to their squad this season, and at just 22 years old, he suits Solskjaer's youth policy as well. Maddison will cost around £60 million and will be a fantastic addition to the squad, regardless of whether Pogba stays or leaves. Now it remains to be seen if United will be able to coax Maddison to be a part of their project next season.
#1 United submit €80m opening bid for Portuguese star
Today's top story of the day involves another midfielder tipped for a move to Old Trafford. The Bruno Fernandes saga refuses to slow down and there's fresh news about the Sporting Lisbon player today.
Portuguese news outlet A Bola had previously claimed that United were willing to outbid bitter rivals Manchester City in the race for the star player's signature. Interestingly, City had placed a €50 million bid earlier for the signature of the midfielder. However, the bid was significantly less than the €80-90 million that the club want for the player and it was turned down by Sporting Lisbon.
And now, according to Sport Witness, the Portuguese newspaper Jornal de Noticias claims that United have submitted a €80 million opening bid for Fernandes today, which includes a €55 million payment upfront and bonuses worth €25 million. The Portuguese daily also concludes that United's offer is extremely lucrative for the club and they are seriously considering it.
Fernandes enjoyed an exceptional season, racking up 48 appearances, all of which were starts. He scored 28 goals and picked up 14 assists, and is a fantastic young talent United could build their team around. Now the question is, will the Red Devils get their man? Only time will tell.
Stay tuned for more in this story. Till then, Adeus!
