Cristiano Ronaldo asks to LEAVE Man Utd in BOMBSHELL, Frenkie De Jong transfer a ‘priority’, Lisandro Martinez latest
CRISTIANO RONALDO has stunned Manchester United by asking to LEAVE, according to reports.
The Portuguese superstar wants to play in the Champions League and United failed to qualify for Europe's top club competition last season.
Elsewhere, Frenkie de Jong is also on the club's radar, with the Dutchman reportedly nearing a move to Old Trafford, but the two clubs are still looking to agree a fee.
United are also interested in signing Palmeiras winger Gabriel Veron as well as Ajax's Lisandro Martinez.
- IN: Tyrell Malacia
- OUT: Paul Pogba (released), Juan Mata (released), Jesse Lingard (released), Nemanja Matic (Roma), Edinson Cavani (released), Lee Grant (released), D'Mani Mellor (released), Reece Devine (released), Paul McShane (released), Connor Stanley (released), Paul Woolston (released)
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Bremer 'needs Champions League football'
In demand Torino defender Gleison Bremer has revealed that playing Champions League football is essential next season.
Bremer's being tracked by Man United, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham.
And despite being unsure of his whereabouts next season, Bremer's certain that he needs to be participating in the elite European competition.
Bremer said, via Football Italia: "I don’t know where I will play, I am talking to my agent and at the moment, there is nothing defined yet.
“I am unsure whether I’ll remain in Italy or go abroad.
“One fundamental thing is to play the Champions League next season. This is fundamental to continuing my growth. We’ll define everything in the next few days or weeks.”
De Jong wants Barca stay
Frenkie de Jong has told both Barcelona and Manchester United that he wishes to stay at the Nou Camp, reports suggest.
United have reached an initial €65million (£56m) deal plus add-ons with Barca over De Jong, who is among new manager Erik ten Hag's top targets.
According to , however, the midfielder has informed both clubs that he is not keen on leaving Catalonia this summer.
The Netherlands international is reportedly unhappy with the Blaugrana's attempts to push him out and is determined to stay for another season.
The 25-year-old expressed his desire to continue with Barcelona last month as he described the Spanish giants as his "dream club".
United 'need to replace Cavani'
Man United are in desperate need of a striker to replace Edinson Cavani, according to Wes Brown.
Brown told the Express: "Obviously Cavani has gone. Pretty much every position we need to improve on and I’m pretty sure the manager will know that, he’s been told that’s absolutely fine and the funds are there to do that.
“Ultimately it’s about whether we can get hold of these players and can we get them at the right price as well.”
United given Ronaldo advice
Wes Brown has explained why Man United need to retain Cristiano Ronaldo amid interest from Chelsea.
Brown said to the Express: “We need to make signings regardless but keeping Ronaldo will be a big plus, just look at the goals he got us this year.
“You can say lots of things good, or bad, but ultimately he will score you goals as well."
Ronaldo to Sporting Lisbon?
Sporting Lisbon director of football Hugo Viana has refused to rule out Cristiano Ronaldo returning to the club.
He told Sky Sports on a possible summer move: "Not now, I don’t think that will be possible.
"But we never know. He can decide where he can go. But you never know the future.
"I don’t want to talk a lot about that because when we speak about Cristiano it is quite different.
"I think he has one more year on his contract, so whatever he decides, let’s see."
Brentford eye ex-United flop
Brentford are plotting a swoop for ex-Manchester United flop Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.
The goalkeeper moved to Old Trafford back in 2014 from Serbian club Vojvodina.
He then suffered work permit issues that prevented him from making an appearance for the club.
And that led to his departure from United just a year later having failed to make any impact.
Now claims that Brentford are lining up a bid to give the now Torino stopper a second shot at the Premier League.
Juventus confirm Pogba deal
Juventus have confirmed Paul Pogba will sign his contract to return to the club on a free transfer within days.
The former Manchester United midfielder, 29, looks set to sign a three-year deal, with the option of a further 12 months.
Reports in Italy have suggested that the French World Cup winner will earn a basic salary of around £150,000 a week.
However, that will be boosted by a sizeable signing-on fee.
Everything now seems in place for his return to the Serie A giants — six years after he left to rejoin United in what was then a world-record £89million deal.
Juve chief Maurizio Arrivabene revealed: “Talks are progressing well with Pogba. This deal is gonna be key for us also on the commercial side.”
Man United issued warning
Man United need atleast four players to attain a Champions League spot next season.
That's according to ex-Arsenal star Paul Merson.
He told Sky Sports: "He needs to bring in as many players as he can because this team is not going to get you in the top four.
"They need to bring certain players in – (Frenkie) De Jong at Barcelona, he’s a good footballer – and then you move on from there.
“They need at least three or four players just to make a challenge for fourth place.”
Hargreaves on penalties
All the major matches in Owen Hargreaves career were decided on penalties, the former Man United star revealed.
He told United's media: "My whole career was basically decided on penalty shootouts.
"The first Champions League with Bayern Munich we won on penalties. With United we won on penalties.
"And in the three major tournaments I went out [of] with England, one was Brazil where we got knocked out, and the others were penalties against Portugal twice, in ’04 and ’06.
“I had been on two winning sides and two losing sides, and I had been there mentally in those moments, and I understood that."
Hargreaves on scoring penalty
Former Man United star Owen Hargreaves has revealed his thought process before scoring a penalty against ex-Chelsea keeper Petr Cech in 2008's Champions League final.
Hargreaves explained to United's media: "As I’m walking up I’m thinking: I’m definitely going top-left.
"And [then]I think: Cech looks massive in the goal! It’s weird how your brain plays tricks on you.
“So I thought: I’ll just go bottom right. As I got up to put the ball down I thought: this is a terrible time to be experimenting. Just smash it top left and if he saves it, he saves it.
"He’s in a Champions League final too for a reason.”
Neves set for Wolves stay
Wolves look to have won the battle to keep Ruben Neves but face losing Joao Moutinho.
Arsenal, Manchester United and Barcelona were all interested in signing Neves, 25, this summer.
Yet all three have been put off by Wolves’ eye-watering demand of £75million for the midfielder, as the interested teams believe his actual worth is nearer to £45m.
Neves was a £15m signing from Porto five years ago and has made 212 appearances for Wolves.
And the fact he looks set to stay will be a massive boost for manager Bruno Lage, whose team suffered a major dip in form at the end of last season.
Good morning Man Utd fans
Man Utd are looking to hijack Arsenal’s bid to land Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez.
The Gunners have put in a third offer for the Argentine centre-back – after being told their previous bid of £34million was not enough.
But United have now registered their interest to the Dutch giants and asked to be kept informed of developments.
Erik ten Hag was planning to switch his attention to his forward line now deals for Frenkie de Jong and Tyrrell Malacia have been set up.
However the Red Devils were concerned that the 24-year-old Martinez would be heading for North London unless they made their interest known quickly.
Martinez has set his heart on a move to the Premier League – although the Dutch giants will demand around £43m to think about letting him leave.
S-mart money
Man Utd are looking to hijack Arsenal’s bid to land Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez.
The Gunners have put in a third offer for the Argentine centre-back – after being told their previous bid of £34million was not enough.
But United have now registered their interest to the Dutch giants and asked to be kept informed of developments.
Erik ten Hag was planning to switch his attention to his forward line now deals for Frenkie de Jong and Tyrrell Malacia have been set up.
However the Red Devils were concerned that the 24-year-old Martinez would be heading for North London unless they made their interest known quickly.
Martinez has set his heart on a move to the Premier League – although the Dutch giants will demand around £43m to think about letting him leave.
United still want Ruben Neves
Fabrizio Romano has said on The United Stand YouTube channel that Ruben Neves is still on Manchester United’s radar.
“A name I keep hearing around Manchester United is Ruben Neves. He’s a player who’s always [spoken of] around Manchester United since last summer, too.
“Bu the answer I’m always receiving on Ruben Neves and Manchester United is it depends on the fee because when Wolves side they discuss about £86.2million for Ruben Neves it is something Manchester United would not do so they want to find smart solutions.”
Koul runnings
Kalidou Koulibaly has reportedly emerged as a potential target for Chelsea.
It has been claimed that the Senegal international has been added to Thomas Tuchel's shortlist in his quest to bolster his backline.
The Blues boss is desperate for reinforcements in defence after Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen departed as free agents.
Koulibaly has also been a long-time target for Man Utd.
Man United ‘near Malacia agreement’
Man United are edging close to completing the signing of Feyenoord ace Tyrell Malacia, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Malacia’s agents are in direct contact with the Red Devils to sort out personal terms, it was added.
United are confident they can get a deal done for the left-back, despite strong interest from Lyon.
If so, Feyenoord will receive €15m plus €2m in add-ons for Malacia, Romano stated.
ICYMI
PSG star Neymar has been informed by club chiefs he is no longer wanted at Parc des Princes, reports suggest.
That is according to RMC Sport, who claim PSG are keen to rebuild without the star forward ahead of this coming season.
The Brazil international has been linked with a summer exodus from Paris this summer with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United showing interest,
United, Chelsea and Newcastle would be the only realistic transfer options for Neymar if he does leave PSG, whom he joined for a world record £200million in 2017.
The Premier League trio are the only clubs with the financial might to meet the Parisians and the striker’s financial demands.
Man Utd make Bachmann swoop
Manchester United target Daniel Bachmann is the “frontrunner” to become Dean Henderson‘s replacement at Old Trafford, according to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook.
Having seen a move for Newcastle shotstopper Karl Darlow deteriorate, United are now hoping to sign Bachmann.
According to Goal, United have approached the Hornets about Bachmann’s services, with Fabrizio Romano confirming that the Austria international is in talks over a move to the Theatre of Dreams.
Nani to go Down Under
Man United star Nani is poised to become big Down Under … by landing a move to Australian club Melbourne Victory.
The Portugal winger has spent the past six months in Italy with Venezia, and has a year left on his contract.
However the Venice outfit will release Nani, 35, following their relegation from Serie A.
And Aussie reports claim A-League side Victory will snap him up as a marquee signing for the new season.
Credit: Getty Lindelof's new tatt
Man United star Victor Lindelof has shown off his incredible new back tattoo while on holiday.
The Swede often shows off his arm sleeves while wearing Man Utd’s colours on the football pitch.
And he has now added an incredibly detailed back tattoo to his collection.
Lindelof‘s back piece features Roman sculptures having crowns placed on their heads by an emperor-type figure, with detailed globes on either shoulder blade.
On the centre-back’s left shoulder blade, it shows the continents of Asia, Africa and Oceania.
And on the right is the North and South Pacific sea, with North and South America.
Henderson set for Forest move
Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper expects to tie the knot with Dean Henderson next week – once the Manchester United goalie returns from his honeymoon.
Henderson married his girlfriend in Rome last weekend and is currently enjoying the second week of his honeymoon break.
The 25-year-old keeper is expected to return to England this weekend and will then undergo a Forest medical as he closes in on a year-long loan deal with the Premier League newcomers.
Henderson should put pen to paper on the deal early next week before heading for Alicante with his new Forest team-mates for their pre-season training camp in Spain.
Credit: Reuters
Rab race
Adrien Rabiot wants to leave Juventus to join a Premier League club this summer.
The Telegraph claim Rabiot wants to leave the Serie A heavyweights to join an English club playing Champions League football.
And Juventus have agreed to his requests and will look to offload him for between £13-17million this summer.
Betfair think Chelsea are the frontrunners at odds of 5/2.
Three other Champions League sides in Liverpool (5/1), Manchester City (8/1) and Tottenham (10/1) are next in the betting markets.
Italian publication Calciomercato claim Liverpool are hatching a plan to swap Adrien Rabiot and Naby Keita, who are both 27 with 12 months remaining on their current deals.
There's a large jump to Europa League duo Manchester United and Arsenal, who are locked together at 20/1.
Eye of the Hag-er
Erik Ten Hag is close to making Tyrell Malacia his first signing as Manchester United boss and he has liked the defender for some time.
United are reportedly set to hijack Lyon's move for the Feyenoord star in a £14m deal.
And Ten Hag knows a lot about the left-back from his time as Ajax manager - when he first set eyes on the youngster.
Footage has emerged from a match between Feyenoord and Ajax when Malacia certainly caught the eye.
Ten Hag is seen saying in Dutch: "That kid at left-back is amazing."
He also tells his assistant Michael Reiziger to take note of Malacia, possibly with a view to signing him in the future.
Lang jump
Anthony Elanga was inches away from breaking a world record in pre-season training.
The 20-year-old made a 63 inch box jump - just four short of the world record.
The winger recorded a new personal best, just a tad off American record holder Chris Spell.
Elanga shared a video of the monster leap with his followers on Tik Tok.
The topless star worked up a sweat as he prepares for life under new manager Erik ten Hag.
The Sweden international suggested he would welcome some new players too and claimed competition within the squad is "vital for success".
Luk at that
Inter Milan fans turned out in force to get a glimpse of the returning Romelu Lukaku.
The ex-Man Utd man arrived in Milan for a medical today after Chelsea agreed a £6.9million fee to ship the 29-year-old out on loan.
And Lukaku grinned broadly as he waved to adoring fans from the window of the Italian Olympic Committee’s headquarters in Milan.
The Chelsea flop waved and gave a thumbs up to the crowd who had defied a warning from Inter Ultras NOT to welcome Lukaku back to the club.
Scorned Curva Nord fanatics urged fans not to “run and drool” after Lukaku following his return.
Instead they claimed he will have to earn their affection back with “humility and sweat”.
