Paper Talk: Man Utd set to hijack £18m Liverpool move for Ligue 1 star; Chelsea put seven up for sale
Manchester United want to beat Liverpool to the signing of a top Ligue 1 star, while Chelsea want to fund a move for a world-class attacker and have put seven players up for sale, according to the Christmas Eve transfer gossip.
RENATO SANCHES WANTED BY MAN UTD
Manchester United are emerging as serious competition in the race to sign Renato Sanches, according to reports.
The former Bayern Munich struggler has revitalised his career in France with a string of top displays for Lille.
He has become a key member of Christophe Galtier’s side, who currently sit top of France’s Ligue 1 on goal difference.
Reports in Italy claim Lille will, however, let Sanches leave for a fee of just over £18m in January. That is said to have alerted Liverpool, with reports earlier this week stating an agreement was close.
Jurgen Klopp reportedly sees Portugal star Sanches as a replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum. The Dutchman now has just six months left on his deal and continues to be linked with Barcelona.
However, the Daily Star, citing Gazzetta dello Sport, claim Manchester United are also keeping tabs on Sanches. They state Ole Gunnar Solskjaer seems the midfielder as a potential replacement for Paul Pogba.
At such a lowly fee, it’s reported Solskjaer sees the player as a perfect successor to Pogba, who could leave Old Trafford imminently.
A third club, Inter Milan, are also reportedly keen. However, Sanches – who had a poor spell with Swansea on loan in 2017/18 – is ready to return to the Premier League.
Liverpool, meanwhile, appear to be edging Manchester United in the hunt for another January deal. Reports on Thursday claim a deal for a young LaLiga defender is close.
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CHELSEA LOOKING TO SELL SEVEN PLAYERS
Chelsea have put seven stars up for sale. Ross Barkley, Marcos Alonso, Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Jorginho, Danny Drinkwater and Victor Moses can all leave. (The Sun)
Arsenal flop Shkodran Mustafi looks poised for a shock January move to Barcelona. (The Sun)
Arsenal are keen on signing Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr, 20, on loan in January. The Gunners have decided against signing his teammate Isco, with a move to Juventus likely. (Daily Star)
Southampton could be missing up to four key players for their Boxing Day trip to Fulham. (Daily Mail)
JESSE LINGARD CONTRACT EXTENSION
Manchester United will extend Jesse Lingard’s contract to ensure the midfielder cannot leave for free in 2021. (Daily Mail)
Derby boss Wayne Rooney wants to make Phil Jones his first signing following the defender’s exile at Manchester United. (Metro)
Liverpool have signed the Birmingham City youngster Calum Scanlon to further bolster the Reds’ academy. (Daily Mirror)
Arsenal’s £27million exile William Saliba wants to go out on loan. While the Gunners are willing to let him leave, they don’t want him joining a club doing better in the Premier League. (Daily Mirror)
AND MORE TRANSFER GOSSIP
Nicolas Pepe has been accused of “cheating” Mikel Arteta by former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan following his latest Arsenal display. (Daily Mirror)
Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Runarsson has deleted his Twitter account following his error in his side’s 4-1 Carabao Cup defeat to Manchester City. (Daily Mirror)
Manchester United’s hopes of signing Erling Haaland appear weakened due to their relationship with agent Mino Raiola. As a result, United will make Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin their top alternative. (Daily Mirror)
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