Careless Whispers: United miss out on star, Pato could join

Rob Conlon
Samir Handanovic: Goalkeeper set to stay at Inter Milan

Samir Handanovic: Goalkeeper linked with Man Utd

Manchester United are set to miss out on a rumoured transfer target but links with Alexandre Pato gather substance.

In a new regular feature, we take a look at the day’s rumours involving United, separating the wheat from the chaff to save you the trouble…

£7.2m enough for Manchester United transfer target to agree deal (Daily Express)

Too tempting a headline to ignore, it seems the Express are suggesting United could sign a mystery player for what sounds like a bit of a steal, especially considering the sums of money Ed Woodward often feels inclined to throw around.

And so a click reveals it is in fact a largely misleading headline, as the first sentence of the story actually reveals Inter Milan goalkeeper Samir Handanovic is set to agree a new four-year contract worth £7.2million at the San Siro – ending speculation of a move to Old Trafford.

Cheeky.

Manchester United and Spurs transfer target issues come and get me plea (Daily Express)

The Express may have teased us earlier on, and again the headline tantalisingly fails to reveal the players in question, but thankfully there is a bit more substance to this one.

“Come and get me” pleas can often be tenuous at best, but here former Brazil prodigy Alexandre Pato has actually expressed his interest in a move to the Premier League – news which is sure to alert a host of suitors.

The striker, who is on loan at Sao Paolo from Corinthians, has told Radio Globo: “Next year I won’t be playing at Sao Paulo, everybody knows that. I hope England or Spain.”

What’s more, the 26-year-old has revealed he was the subject of interest from Manchester United on deadline day: “I won’t lie: two hours before the deadline I had a really good offer from Manchester United.

“I was expecting it, but actually only found out about it afterwards.”

With Louis van Gaal’s outfit desperately struggling for goals, it might be worth keeping an eye on this one.