Euro Paper Talk: Man Utd in talks over shock deal for €35m keeper

A France goalkeeper could be joining Manchester United as David De Gea’s replacement, while Arsenal have offered Sampdoria €42m for two of their stars, according to Monday’s European papers.

 

MAN UTD HOLD TRANSFER TALKS OVER MIKE MAIGNAN

Manchester United have opened talks with Lille over a summer swoop for goalkeeper Mike Maignan, according to reports.

With David De Gea increasingly likely to leave Old Trafford this summer after refusing to extend his contract, which has just a year left to run, United are scouring the market for a replacement.

They had been strongly linked with Jasper Cillessen, but his €60m exit clause appears to have put serious doubts over any deal, while Ajax’s Andre Onana has also been mentioned as a target.

However, reports in France, via the Daily Record, claims that United are ready to turn to Lille stopper Maignan, who has recently been called into the France squad.

The 6ft 3in stopper has enjoyed a stellar season for his side after helping them finish as runners-up in Ligue 1 and is valued at €35m (£31m) by his side.

While United could look to drive that fee down, it is understood the player is more than willing to make the move and the 23-year-old has now emerged as the leading candidate to step into De Gea’s sizeable shoes at Old Trafford.

Maignan’s qualities have also been noted by Didier Deschamps, who, after calling the keeper into his squad for the first time for their Euro 2020 qualifiers against Turkey and Andorra, said: ‘Maignan is part of a team which achieved a superb championship.

“He oozes serenity, his athletic presence is impressive.”

 

 

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MAN UTD LINKED WITH STUNNING SALAH SWOOP

Manchester United are one of three clubs who are eyeing a hugely ambitious move for Liverpool star Mo Salah this summer, a dubious report claims.

The Egypt international scored his 27th and final goal of the 2018/19 season when he tucked away a penalty early in Liverpool’s 2-0 Champions League final win over Spurs.

The 26-year-old won a second Premier League Golden Boot in two seasons as he scored 22 goals in the Premier League.

According to a report from Spanish outlet AS, Salah’s performances for the Reds over the last two years have earned him a number of admirers among Europe’s elite.

Real Madrid are the most interested in signing the former Roma and Chelsea winger and tried to move for him last year to replace the outgoing Cristiano Ronaldo.

However, they baulked at his asking price of over €200million, but this summer their need to sign a star forward is arguably much greater and more desperate.

AS cite an earlier report from April in which they made the shock claim that Salah had requested to leave at the end of the 2018/19 campaign in search of a new challenge, leaving Real believing there is an opening.

They also state that when asked by Movistar after the Champions League final in Madrid, Salah replied: “Now I can not talk about my future.”

The huge shock in the report comes when the outlet is mentioning the competition Los Blancos face for his signature, specifically naming Manchester United and Bayern Munich as the ‘strongest competitors’.

Admittedly, it is very hard to imagine a situation where Salah would leave Anfield for Old Trafford given their lack of Champions League football and the fact they finished 31 points adrift in the Premier League table, but that doesn’t tend to stop the Spanish tabloids.

 

AND THE REST

Arsenal have submitted a €42m double bid to sign Sampdoria stars Dennis Praet and Joachim Andersen (Tuttosport)

Bayern Munich have definitively decided not to sign James Rodriguez – and the Colombian midfielder is “most likely” set to move to Napoli. (Marca)

Napoli could sacrifice midfielder Amadou Diawara for Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa. (CalcioNews24)

Real Madrid and Chelsea are negotiating the transfer of Eden Hazard with meetings being held in London over the next two days. (AS)

Antoine Griezmann has admitted he ‘does not know’ when his next club will be confirmed after declaring he was leaving Atletico Madrid. (Marca)

Barcelona have offered Real Betis both Rafinha and B-team left-back Miranda in exchange for €60m-rated full-back Junior Firpo. (Sport)

SEVILLE, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 08: Suso of AC Milan duels for the ball with Junior Firpo of Real Betis during the UEFA Europa League Group F match between Real Betis and AC Milan at Estadio Benito Villamarin on November 8, 2018 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Jorginho admits he would ‘hate’ Maurizio Sarri to leave Chelsea but has warned the Chelsea coach he will ‘betray’ Napoli fans if he joins Juventus. (Various)

Inter Milan are interested in a move for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang amid €85m links with Real Madrid. (TMW)

Juventus are set to launch a bid to sign Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly and hope the imminent appointment of  Maurizio Sarri as coach will help seal the deal. (Tuttosport)

Udinese have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Palermo midfielder Mato Jajalo on a free transfer. (SportItalia)

Bayern Munich doubt that a deal can be done for Leroy Sane this summer, with club president Uli Hoeness being priced out of a move by the “insane” demands of Manchester City. (Goal)

Inter Milan want Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku but Manchester United have valued the 26-year-old at £62m. (Sportmediaset)

Celta Vigo striker Maxi Gomez – linked with Spurs and Liverpool – has emerged as a top target for Valencia. (AS)

The uncertainty over the physical condition of Manchester City’s Eliaquim Mangala ended former club Porto’s pursuit of the 28-year-old French defender. (A Bola)

Eintracht Frankfurt have made a bid for Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Kevin Trapp. (Bild)

AS Roma striker Edin Dzeko has agreed on personal terms for a transfer to Inter this summer. (Calciomercato)

Paolo Maldini has agreed to return to AC Milan as technical director with Sampdoria boss Marco Giampaolo becoming the club’s new coach. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Joachim Andersen TEAMtalk

Giampaolo could bring Joachim Andersen and Dennis Praet to Milan if he becomes manager. (Corriere dello Sport)

The agent of Inter Milan goalkeeper Ionut Radu has claimed that Arsenal are interested in signing his client in this summer’s transfer window. (FC Inter News)

Antonio Conte turned down the chance to manage Tottenham earlier this season. (Calciomercato)

Federico Bernardeschi believes that Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri​ would be a good fit at Juventus.

The chances of Spanish forward Rodrigo Moreno joining Barcelona from Valencia have increased significantly. (Sport)

Real Madrid have placed defender Sergio Reguilon on the transfer list. (AS)

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman says he will not leave his role to take over at Barcelona, if the Spanish champions choose to get rid of Ernesto Valverde. (De Telegraaf)

Dutch midfielder Kevin Strootman says Marseille want to sell him. (Corriere dello Sport)