Paper Talk: Liverpool, Man City enter hunt for €70m Man Utd target
Liverpool and Manchester City will battle Manchester United for an Ajax star, while Arsenal have joined the hunt for a PSG full-back, according to Tuesday’s papers.
THREE PREM RIVALS IN RACE FOR AJAX STAR
Liverpool and Manchester City are also interested in signing Matthijs de Ligt this summer, according to one journalist.
The 19-year-old has emerged as one of European football’s most-sought after defenders after an incredible season with the Dutch champions, and he is widely believed to be hoping to join Barcelona, along with teammate Frenkie De Jong.
Reports then emerged suggesting that Barca are struggling to agree terms for De Ligt, thanks in no small part to his agent Mino Raiola trying to engineer him a bigger package elsewhere.
Then it was claimed that United have offered De Ligt an incredible €14m a year deal over a five-year contract – a salary that would equate to £235,000 a week – and more than double what Barcelona had been willing to pay.
Sky Sports denied United’s interest in De Ligt despite rumours of a £70million bid, however Duncan Castles believes that they – and two of their Premier League rivals – are firmly in the hunt.
“We should factor in here that Manchester United are not the only Premier League club that Mino Raiola will try and sell the player to,” he is quotes as saying by the Express.
“There has been talk of Liverpool’s interest which I think is correct. Although I don’t think there need is as great, certainly not as great as Manchester United. What I do know is that Manchester City have pursued De Ligt for a long time.
“I know that, several months ago, before Barcelona went in strong for De Ligt, that people at Ajax felt City was his most likely destination. We now have Vincent Kompany announcing his exit from Manchester City to move to another league and become player-coach at Anderlecht.
“That happened quite soon and it’s something that Manchester City have to reassess, their transfer strategy, to the point of do they want to have John Stones as their starting centre-back next season, alongside Laporte?
“Or do they want to bring in another high-quality defender to compete for that position? And De Ligt fits the profile for City in this sort of focus they’ve always had of signing the best of young talent, being prepared to put high transfer fees down in the expectation the player’s value will increase.”
AND THE REST
Arsenal boss Unai Emery is interested in signing Paris Saint-Germain full-back Thomas Meunier from underneath the noses of Manchester United this summer. (Metro)
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has told Spanish radio he is “hopeful” Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard will sign for the La Liga club this summer. (Mail)
Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish has revealed he thought he was going to complete a transfer to Tottenham Hotspur last summer when Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino tried to sign the boyhood Villa fan. (Talksport)
Real Madrid must pay Paris St-Germain’s 27-year-old Brazil forward Neymar £1.2m a week in order to take him to the Bernabeu. (Mail)
Juventus’ 25-year-old Argentina forward Paulo Dybala has confirmed he wants to remain with the Serie A champions next season, despite being linked with a move to Manchester United. (Independent)
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has agreed terms with Juventus which would earn him a £1.2m-a-year pay rise. (Mail)
Manchester United and Real Madrid could challenge Tottenham for Real Betis’ Argentina midfielder Giovani lo Celso, 23, this summer. (Mail)
Manchester City are also monitoring Lo Celso. (Manchester Evening News)
West Ham have had an £18m bid for Portugal midfielder Andre Gomes rejected by Barcelona. The Spanish side want between £25m and £35m for Gomes, who spent last season on loan at Everton. (Sky Sports)
Aston Villa loanee Tyrone Mings has hinted he is open to a return to the West Midlands next season.
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