'%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,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Hello and welcome back to the Manchester United Transfer News round-up for 1st 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.
#5 Napoli right-back makes stunning revelation about his future
Another day, another defender linked to Manchester United. Napoli star and Albanian International Elseid Hysaj has made a stunning revelation about his future that have put a lot of clubs, including Manchester United, on high alert.
Hysaj confirmed to Digitab that he would leave Napoli in the summer, as he wanted new challenge.
"I’m absolutely ready for a new challenge because I need change.
"I’m not the type of person who likes to stay at a club for too long. I want to have new experiences, learn about a new country, meet new people, play for another team and maybe try to win something.
"For me, my time at Napoli is over and I hope to find a team that will give me what I need."
The 25 year old right back is expected to cost around €40m, a sum that has put off Juventus and Atletico Madrid, but would suit Manchester United just fine. The Albanian enjoyed a stellar season with Napoli, racking up 35 appearances, most of which was from the right-back position.
Solskjaer is reportedly looking for a new right-back, along with other additions. With club captain Antonio Valencia leaving United and Darmian's future uncertain, there is a dearth of talent at the right-back position.The Norwegian wants some competition for the young Dalot, while Ashley Young is no longer considered a first choice. Hysaj is an extremely versatile option who is equally comfortable playing as a left back or a right back, however, he does represent a degree of risk.
United are also linked to Thomas Meunier of PSG, who is in Arsenal's radar and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who is Solskjaer's preferred choice for the position. Now it remains to be seen if Solskjaer is willing to opt for Hysaj instead.
#4 Griezmann already signed his Barcelona contract in March
The drama over Antoine Griezmann refuses to end. Spanish Radio Station Cadena SER reveals a sensational news that could end the Griezmann to United saga. According to El Larguero, the Frenchman has already reached an agreement in March of this year to join the Catalans in the summer. There's even documented evidence to support their claim, which suggests that the Frenchman has been negotiating with the La Liga Champions since November of last year.
This could be a huge blow to Manchester United, who were hoping to bring Griezmann to Old Trafford this summer. It was rumoured that the Frenchman was not a priority for Barcelona and that had put United in pole position for his signature. Such contrasting claims have added much fuel to the transfer speculations and one can expect to hear more about the Frenchman in the next few days.
However, if Griezmann had signed the contract in March, Atletico could actually file a case against the Catalans for negotiating with their player while he was still contracted to the club.
#3 Pogba hoping for Real Madrid switch
More news of Paul Pogba's future. According to AS, the mercurial Frenchman is hoping that Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane will attempt to bring him to the Santiago Bernabeu over the summer. It is widely reported that Zidane is keen on adding his countryman to his squad over the summer, however, club President Florentino Perez has not warmed up to the idea of adding Pogba to his squad as of now.
United are hell bent on keeping the Frenchman within their ranks for the next season. Solskjaer sees him as an integral part of the rebuilding process and the Red Devils are willing to offer him a new and improved contract extension to try to make him stay.
On the other hand, former Arsenal player Stewart Robson has urged United to let Pogba leave, insisting it is a deal that works well for all three parties involved.
"It would be perfect all round.
"It would be perfect for Paul Pogba, I think it would be perfect for Real Madrid.
"And at Manchester United we haven’t seen the best of him. He hasn’t continued his form from Juventus at United and there must be a reason why. You can’t quite put your finger on it. But I think it would be a great move for all three."
One thing is certain, Pogba's future is far from sorted right now.
#2 Solskjaer planning £80m bid for the next Cristiano Ronaldo
This bit of news might have a sense of deja vu for United fans. Joao Felix is considered many in his home country to be the best talent after Cristiano Ronaldo to come out of Portugal and he has been in the radar of Pep Guardiola for quite long. The 19-year-old was spectacular in the 2018/19 season, scoring 20 goals and registering 11 assists from 43 games in all competition.
According to Correio da Manha, Manchester United are now ready to compete with City for the signature of João Félix. The Red Devils are preparing a bid of around £80m, which could rise to £100m with add-ons and additional requirements. This is very near to the release clause of the teenager, who has attracted the attention of the big clubs all around Europe.
The Portuguese New Outlet also says that even though no formal bid has been submitted to Benfica yet, club President Luís Filipe Vieira is well aware of the situation. However, Vieira is hoping he can lure the Premier League giants to match the release clause of the teenager, which United are quite willing to do.
If this transfer goes through, it will be a fantastic piece of business for Solskjaer and the right step forward for next season.
#1 Matthijs de Ligt will inform United of his final decision in the coming days
Today's top story involves the de Ligt saga once again. The Telegraph reports that Manchester United are expecting a decision from Matthijs de Ligt in the next couple of days. Even though the Dutchman was widely reported to be on his way to Camp Nou, we had earlier reported that United had suddenly emerged as the favourites for his signature.
de Ligt is still tempted by a move to the Premier League giants, which is why his impending transfer to Barcelona has stalled. His advisors believe that a move to the Premier League will better suit his ambition of becoming the world's best defender. United's lack of Champions League and need for massive rebuilding this summer has not deterred him. In fact, being the center of their rebuilding process has actually appealed to him. And speaking to the Dutch Media about his future, de Ligt actually admitted that he had a few options in his hands:
"I’m very excited for what could be coming in the near future
"But I’m calm too. I see it as a challenge, that’s the most important thing. There are various options, what I’m doing is looking for the best option."
United are definitely among those options, and they will be hoping to be the Dutchman's final choice in the coming days. Stay tuned for more updates on this news.
