Cristiano Ronaldo asks to LEAVE Man Utd in BOMBSHELL, Frenkie De Jong transfer a ‘priority’, Lisandro Martinez latest

Tielemans ‘should play for Arsenal’

It’s shocking Arsenal haven’t made a formal move for Leicester ace Youri Tielemans, according to Steve Nicol.

Nicol reckons Tielemans has outgrown the Foxes, and would make a ideal midfield partnership with Gunners star Thomas Partey in the place of Granit Xhaka.

Speaking to ESPN, he said: “I am surprised someone like Arsenal haven’t gone in to sign him. I think he ends up staying at Leicester City. I think he’s better than Leicester, to be honest.

“I think Arsenal should have gone and signed this guy. Granit Xhaka is a good Premier League player, but I don’t think he is good enough to push Arsenal into the top four or certainly challenge for any major competition.

“I think Tielemans and Thomas Partey would be a great partnership in the middle of the park. So, I am surprised there hasn’t been more talk of Tielemans, especially from an Arsenal point of view.”

Man United will hope Arsenal don’t take heed of Nicol’s advice as they also want the Belgium international.

Nou development

Barcelona are odds-on favourites to sign Leeds winger Raphinha.

That’s according to bookmakers Sky Bet, who’ve priced the Spanish heavyweights at 1/2 to clinch the Brazilian’s signature.

Chelsea looked certain to secure his services having agreed a £55m deal plus add-ons with Leeds.

But he’s now drifted out to 13/8 to arrive at Stamford Bridge before the transfer window closes.

A stay at Leeds is available at 18/1, with Arsenal and Newcastle offered at 20/1 and 25/1 respectively.

Manchester United are major outsiders, coming in at 40/1.

Ten Hag dines out

Erik ten Hag headed out for a meal at Manchester’s plush Ivy restaurant last night as he navigates the first week of pre-season.

After another long day at the training ground, the Dutchman was able to sample one of Manchester’s nicest restaurants on Thursday evening.

Donning a white zip-up and trousers combo, Ten Hag appeared relaxed as he arrived at The Ivy alongside assistant Mitchell van der Gaag and his partner.

The trio dined at the Manchester hotspot, before strolling back to The Lowry Hotel at around 10:30pm.

Going Ney-where

Neymar has reportedly activated a clause in his contract to extend his stay at Paris Saint-Germain until 2027.

The Brazilian, 30, most recently put pen to paper on a five-year extension in 2021.

But he has now activated his annual extension option, which means his deal will stretch until 2027, according to Sport.

That means Neymar is set to earn £155million more from PSG with the forward being paid £31m a year.

According to Sky Sports, PSG are looking for a buyer to take Neymar off their hands with club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi looking to move away from their high-earner model.

His £600k-a-week wages are putting potential suitors off, however.

Man Utd were joined by Chelsea as contenders for Neymar's signature with Thomas Tuchel potentially playing a key role in the deal.

The pair worked together at PSG and under Tuchel's tenure, Neymar scored 51 goals and assisted 32 in just 67 appearances.

Blues centre-back Thiago Silva is also keen to reunite with his friend and Brazil team-mate Neymar at Stamford Bridge.

He said: "He has to go to Chelsea. If it happens, it will be for the best. He needs no comments. And on top of that, he's a super friend.

"So far, I don’t know anything, but I hope it comes to fruition."

Ty-re stop

Tyrell Malacia's proposed move to Man Utd conducted quickly until a late stall as a result of a change in Malacia's agent.

The Holland international was been looked after by HCM Sports Management, who also represent United target Frenkie de Jong.

However, Malacia has made it clear he doesn’t want HCM to be a part of the deal.

Now the deal to sign Malacia is almost complete United could turn their attention to another Dutch target.

Frenkie de Jong remains a priority and there was progress in talks to sign him this week as Barcelona accepted an offer believed to be worth around £74m.

Prem king

Man City and Liverpool are favourites to be crowned 2022-23 Premier League champions.

That's according to bookmakers Betfair, who are predicting another two-horse race with Pep Guardiola's Citizens available at 8/13 and Liverpool at 12/5.

Liverpool, who start against promoted Fulham, are next at 12/5 having missed out by a single point last term.

Tottenham are now considered third-favourites at 14/1 after a flurry of incomings.

Antonio Conte's side have signed Richarlison, Yves Bissouma, Ivan Perisic and Fraser Forster to join Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski, who arrived in January.

They are ahead of London rivals Chelsea (16/1) who have seen Romelu Lukaku, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen leave the club. The futures of Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta are also in doubt, while Barcelona are now favourites to sign Raphinha.

Manchester United are 25/1 to clinch the title during Erik ten Hag's debut campaign, ahead of Arsenal (40/1) and Newcastle (100/1).

Jong time coming

Chelsea watching transfer developments with Frenkie de Jong.

Manchester United still favourites to sign the Barcelona midfielder but he has admirers at Chelsea, according to The Guardian.

Meanwhile, deals for Nathan Ake and Raheem Sterling said to be “progressing” for the Blues.

Afternoon De Ligt

Chelsea have emerged as the odds on favourites to sign the Juventus centre back Matthijs de Ligt.

The Netherlands international has been linked with a move away from Italy and Sky Bet are pricing a move to Stamford Bridge at 8/11.

Chelsea are desperate to sign a central defender or two this summer following the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.

Erik ten Hag was the Ajax manager when de Ligt helped the Dutch side to the semi-finals of the Champions League, and made the defender the club’s youngest ever captain at 18 years old.

The Dutch manager has taken over at Manchester United this summer, who also had some difficulties in the centre-back department last season.

Naturally, there have been rumours of ten Hag and de Ligt linking up again, with Sky Bet pricing the move at 8/1.

Four real

Man Utd's proposed offer to Tyrell Malacia includes a four-year contract with the option of a 5th.

And according to The Athletic, his medical may happen this weekend.

United are also trying to reach an agreement with Ajax for Lisandro Martinez while Frenkie de Jong and Chrsitian Eriksen remain linked.

De Jong tipped for United success

Frenkie de Jong has been tipped to make Man United more dominant by former club coach Rene Meulensteen.

Meulensteen told Voetbal International: “In Erik’s way of thinking it is a logical first purchase. Frenkie is of course a great footballer and I would really like to see him at United.

“He is technically very strong. That should also be a lot better at United. If you just look at the statistics: that the opponent regularly has more possession would have been unthinkable with us.

“Frenkie can help them to be much more dominant.”

Tottenham ‘consider Lingard swoop’

Tottenham are reportedly considering making a move for Jesse Lingard.

Lingard’s a free agent upon the expiry of his Man United contract.

And Spurs are mulling over whether to make a swoop for the winger, according to The Telegraph.

Lingard’s also being pursued by West Ham and Everton, who just sold Richarlison to Spurs.

Scott to be done

Newcastle are interested in signing Manchester United star Scott McTominay, according to reports.

The midfielder has been a regular for the Red Devils during the last three seasons.

Erik ten Hag's pursuit of Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona could throw his future into doubt, however, with the Scot having admirers around the Premier League.

According to The Times, Newcastle have made an enquiry regarding McTominay's availability.

Eddie Howe's side are keen to bolster their midfield options alongside January arrival Bruno Guimaraes.

A second unnamed club have also reportedly contacted United to ask about McTominay.

Mag-pied

Man Utd opted against signing Harry Maguire for just £4MILLION when he was playing for Sheffield United in 2013.

Maguire eventually moved to Old Trafford from Leicester City in a mammoth £85m deal in 2019 - still a world record for a defender.

Maguire became ex-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's captain after Ashley Young left for Inter Milan, however last season with the change of management he struggled for form under Ralf Rangnick.

But former Old Trafford boss David Moyes revealed United could have saved themselves a whopping £81m if they had listened to him in 2013, having singled out Maguire as one of his targets.

Sir Alex Ferguson told his Scottish compatriot that the England international would become a world-beater and he should snap him up.

The former Toffees boss then told his scouting team to keep tabs on him, but United ultimately decided against bringing him to Old Trafford.

However, Moyes later changed his mind on the defender - because he was "too big".

Ron the move?

Whether Cristiano Ronaldo stays at Old Trafford beyond this summer is yet to be seen.

He has been linked with a transfer away from United after they failed to qualify for the Champions League.

Roma, Sporting Lisbon and Bayern Munich have all registered an interest in recent weeks.

But club and international team-mate Bruno Fernandes says United wouldn't want to lose such an important player.

Fernandes told Portuguese newspaper Record: "I spoke to him a few weeks ago - we're both on vacation, no one bothers friends on vacation.

"I hope to meet him on [July 4] to train there [at Manchester United], I'm not expecting more than that.

“There is nothing more than that, but each one takes care of their future. I don't believe that the club is willing to lose a player of the value of Cristiano."

On Gard

Everton have joined the race to sign Jesse Lingard on a free transfer, according to reports.

Lingard, 29, is now a free agent following the expiry of his contract with Manchester United.

He was limited to just 22 appearances last season, so the Red Devils decided against offering him a new deal.

Various clubs have registered an interest in the attacking midfielder, including West Ham.

Lingard enjoyed a successful spell with the Hammers during the second half of the 2020-21 season.

He scored nine goals and assisted five in 16 appearances during his stint in East London, so David Moyes is keen on the prospect of a reunion.

Cup for it

The FA has announced that replays will return to the FA Cup up to the fourth round.

Replays were scrapped from the third round onwards in last season's competition due to worries over fixture congestion.

Several matches were postponed around the new year period when the third round was scheduled to take place.

So to prevent fixture congestion the FA removed replays in both the third and fourth rounds.

Replays were also scrapped for the 2020-21 campaign to relieve similar fears after the start of the season was delayed due to the pandemic.

But now replays will be reintroduced to ties including qualifiers and all the way up to the fourth round.

Ship shape

Cristiano Ronaldo is enjoying the last few days on his £5.5million yacht with his family before returning to Manchester United for pre-season.

The 37-year-old is due back at Carrington to begin preparations for the new campaign on July 4.

New boss Erik ten Hag will get to see the football megastar up close.

But before Ronaldo returns to Manchester, the 887-goal forward is in Majorca on his yacht relaxing.

The family started their holiday away from prying eyes in a luxury villa at the foot of the Tramuntana mountains.

They arrived in style - using his £20million G200 private jet to fly there.

They are now enjoying their last days on the Med, and Ronaldo was seen flexing his bulging muscles alongside his son Cristiano Jr.

Partner Georgina Rodriguez stunned in an alluring green bikini as the trio relaxed on deckchairs at the back end of the boat.

Ronaldo Jr, 12, joined his dad in the water as the pair wore goggles and went diving.

Nou development

Barcelona are odds-on favourites to sign Leeds winger Raphinha.

That's according to bookmakers Sky Bet, who've priced the Spanish heavyweights at 1/2 to clinch the Brazilian's signature.

Chelsea looked certain to secure his services having agreed a £55m deal plus add-ons with Leeds.

But he's now drifted out to 13/8 to arrive at Stamford Bridge before the transfer window closes.

A stay at Leeds is available at 18/1, with Arsenal and Newcastle offered at 20/1 and 25/1 respectively.

Manchester United are major outsiders, coming in at 40/1.

Playing with Feye

Tyrell Malacia’s transfer to Manchester United has reportedly stalled after the full-back decided to CHANGE agents.

The Feyenoord ace, 22, is expected to be the first signing of the Erik ten Hag era at Old Trafford after the two sides agreed a £13million deal.

But according to the Daily Mail, the transfer has been delayed due to Malacia deciding to change agents.

The Holland international was been looked after by HCM Sports Management, who also represent United target Frenkie de Jong.

However, Malacia has made it clear he doesn’t want HCM to be a part of the deal.

The report goes on to state that Malacia's change of heart has created hurdles for United in getting the transfer over the line.

Do no Ron

Cristiano Ronaldo should ignore transfer interest to stay at Manchester United this summer, claims former striker Louis Saha.

When speaking to BonusCodeBets, he said: "It could go both ways, no one can guarantee anything apart from Cristiano. He’s the only one to answer that.

"It wouldn’t be the right move for Man United to let him go because he’s such a big asset.

"I can definitely see him continuing to keep doing what he’s doing best, which is scoring goals and helping his club get back to where it belongs.

"He can still play a part under Ten Hag, not only by scoring goals, but with his stature.

"I’m sure the new manager will want to implement some new rules and new standards that fit with Ronaldo. Maybe not so much on the pressing side, but his work ethic and his desire to always be accountable.

"Performance-wise, Ronaldo is up there with the best, he’ll drive the players that need confidence, like Rashford.

"It’s a new manager, new rules, new atmosphere and I’m very excited."

Maguire posts running clip

Harry Maguire has started training ahead of Man United's returning to Carrington next week.

Maguire's in Italy on honeymoon with new wife Fern Hawkins after they tied the knot in France.

But the United captain took some time away from his wife to engage in a spot of running in the Italian hills.

He posted a video of himself running, along with the caption: "Keep running."