Matthijs de Ligt drops major hint about his future, Red Devils submit €120m bid for Joao Felix and more Manchester United Transfer News: June 2, 2019

Hello and welcome back to the Manchester United Transfer News round-up for 2nd 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.

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#5 Solskjaer very close to his first summer signing

Meunier could become Solskjaer's first signing this summer

The Manchester Evening News quotes French news outlet La Dernière Heure to report that PSG right back Thomas Meunier is all set to become United's first signing of the summer. Reports in Belgium say that Meunier has decided to ignore interest from Arsenal, despite being contacted by his former Manager Unai Emery, because the Belgian has his heart set on a move to Old Trafford.

PSG are keen to complete the transfer at the earliest and Meunier could be Solskjaer's first signing as a United manager in a €25m deal. The Belgian was reported to have quite a few offers on his table, but only prefers a move to United right now.

Solskjaer had previously set his eye on Crystal Palace's Aaron Wan-Bissaka as the right man to bolster a position that is a weak link in the side. However, as we reported in our earlier segment, Palace set a £60m price for their star man. United's interest in the Englishman was pretty serious, but they were not willing to pay such inflated fees for a defender who had played just 42 games in the Premier League over two seasons.

As such, the Red Devils had begun their search elsewhere for an able replacement, and now it looks like Meunier could be donning the United colours in the next season. With Antonio Valencia already departing the club, Darmian's future on the balance and Ashley Young in the fag end of his career, United only have young Diogo Dalot for the right back position. In such a scenario, Meunier represents a great value for money. At 27 years of age, the Belgian is entering the prime years of his career and United can count on him to solve the immediate problem, while also helping Dalot in his development.

As of now, we wait for official confirmation from United, which is expected to come sometime in the next week.

#4 United will make a decision on Alderweireld next week

Manchester United are still interested in Alderweireld

Toby Alderweireld had a night to forget on Saturday, as Tottenham were convincingly defeated by Liverpool. The Belgian was a part of the team that let in 2 goals and lost the game 2-0, however, Alderweireld held out his own in the game. It is now time for Pochettino to go back to the drawing board and prepare for next season, however, he might have to plan without his Belgian defender.

The Sun reports that United will take the final decision on the transfer next week. We had earlier revealed in this segment that the United board was willing to ignore Solskjaer's decision and go for the defender who represents a great value for money in the transfer market.

United are currently in the market for new centre-backs after letting in a record number of goals in the Premier League last season. Toby Alderweireld, who was already a Mourinho target last season, has a proven track record in the league and has the ability to solve United's defensive problems, if the Red Devils manage to get his signature.

#3 Real Madrid ready to offer 3 players to United in exchange for Pogba

Manchester United v Cardiff City - Premier League

Manchester United's transfer news is never complete without a mention of Paul Pogba, and here's the latest on the Frenchman. According to the Metro, Zinedine Zidane is ready to step up his pursuit of his countryman and has asked club President Florentino Perez to get Pogba this summer. However, Perez is reluctant to invest such a huge sum, given that Real are already in the final phase of agreeing an £88.5m deal with Chelsea for Eden Hazard. Instead, the Spanish giants are willing to part with as many as 3 players to coax United into giving up Pogba.

The first name on the list is Gareth Bale. The Welshman is no longer in Zidane's plans for next season and has been a long term target for United. Along with him, Real are also willing to part with James Rodriguez, who has been on loan at Bayern Munich in the 2018/19 season. The third name in the list is Keylor Navas, whose move to United broke down due to an infamous fax machine in 2015.

Now it remains to be seen if Solskjaer sees these 3 as first team players he wants in his squad next season and also if the Norwegian will be willing to finally part with his prized possession.

#2 Manchester United have submitted a €120m bid for Joao Felix

Benfica v Eintracht Frankfurt - UEFA Europa League Quarter

Final :

First Leg

Only yesterday we reported that United are willing to fight it out with their noisy neighbours for the signature of the Portuguese rising star. Now, reports are emerging that United are one of four clubs who have submitted a bid for Joao Felix. Don't hold your breathe though, because City are also among the four. The other two clubs have not been disclosed yet.

While at least one offer is beyond the player’s €120m release clause, there are multiple bids close to it. However, Sporting are currently interested in one deal which might not involve a lot of money but allows Felix to play in Lisbon for the next season and make the move in 2020.

The details of the offers are not known. However, Marca had earlier reported that Real Madrid had offered €80m for the Portuguese and were willing to let him stay on loan for another season with his home club.

A decision is yet to be taken, and things are getting pretty interesting as we enter June. Now it remains to be seen if Solskjaer will be successful in pricing the youngster away from Lisbon.

#1 Matthijs de Ligt gives major hint that he will join United before pre-season

de Ligt has expressed his desire to join his new club before pre-season

We conclude today's segment with another news concerning Matthijs de Ligt. Current Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman is tipped to be one of the candidates to become the next Barcelona manager, as Valverde's future still hangs in a balance. As such, it is widely rumoured that Koeman's appointment would make Barcelona the favourites for the signature of de Ligt.

However, the Dutch defender has dismissed those theories, insisting that the appointment of his countryman has no bearing on the decision concerning his future, according to the Metro. de Ligt said

At the end of the day, you look at yourself only. He [Ronald Koeman] does know me well but the fact that he is Dutch won’t matter a lot [if Koeman joins Barcelona]

The Ajax youngster also hinted that he preferring joining his new club before the pre-season, saying

Why does it take so long for me to make a decision on my future? For months there have been reports about me and the transfer period itself hasn’t even started yet, so, fine question from you. It’s not that I write it. The media does that.

I just want to finish this season first and focus on that [making decision on future]. I do prefer to play the pre-season with my new club, or with Ajax. I don’t know when it will happen but I hope will be as soon as possible.

Solskjaer has always reiterated his desire to start the pre-season with his transfer activity done. Is anyone willing to join the dots?