Paper Talk: Monaco midfielder favours Man Utd switch

A top Manchester United target is trying to force through a move to Old Trafford, while Newcastle are preparing a £20m bid for a Fulham star, according to Thursday’s papers.

 

TOP MONACO STAR FAVOURS MAN UTD SWITCH

Monaco midfielder Fabinho is reportedly keen on forcing through a move to Manchester United this summer.

The 24-year-old was looking to quit the reigning Ligue 1 champions last summer but his told in no uncertain terms that he had to stay after the French giants sold a number of their title-winning stars.

The Brazil international is now hoping that the club will grant him his wish and The Sun reports that Old Trafford is his preferred destination.

Jose Mourinho is looking to revamp his midfield next season as doubts continue over the futures of Paul Pogba and Juan Mata, while Marouane Fellaini will almost certainly move on and Michael Carrick is hanging up his boots.

Fabinho has admitted that he is concentrating on seeing out the season for now, but that hasn’t stopped talk of a potential £55million switch to Manchester at the end of the campaign.

Speaking after the Coupe de la Ligue defeat to PSG, he said: “Speaking the truth, I have had no contact with any team and I do not even care at the moment.

“I’m concentrating on finishing the season well at Monaco and then, when it’s time, I’ll sit down with the club and if I have to listen to any proposal, we’ll listen.”

United have also been linked with Nice midfielder Jean Michael-Seri and Shakhtar Donetsk playmaker Fred, but at this stage it looks as if Fabinho is the most realistic option.

 

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AND THE REST

Jose Mourinho wants Juan Mata out of Manchester United and Chelsea star Willian in to replace him (The Sun)

Fulham are bracing themselves for another £20m-plus attempt from Newcastle to sign skipper Tom Cairney (The Sun)

West ham boss David Moyes watched Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli against Leeds on Tuesday (The Sun)

Cardiff captain Sean Morrison has been filmed in an expletive-filled rant aimed at Derby players (The Sun)

Everton and Bournemouth are keeping tabs on Egyptian sensation Mahmoud Hassan (The Sun)

Sunderland, Birmingham and Hull are battling it out for Doncaster star Niall Mason (The Sun)

Swansea have held informal talks with Carlos Carvalhal over extending his stay beyond the end of the season (Daily Star)

Real Betis are keen to bring West Ham ‘keeper Adrian back to the club in the summer (Daily Star)

Chelsea’s longest-serving player – goalkeeper Matej Delac – will leave the club for Danish side AC Horsens this summer after nine years in which he failed to make a first-team appearance (Daily Star)

Fulham will try to ward off suitors for boss Slavisa Jokanovic by handing him a lucrative new deal (Daily Mirror)

Southampton will make a move for Barcelona striker Paco Alcacer if they are able to retain their Premier League status (Daily Mirror)

Javier Hernandez is preparing to consider his future again at West Ham this summer (Daily Mirror)

St Mirren boss Jack Ross is a candidate to take over as Charlton manager next season (Daily Mirror)

Sunderland, Sheffield United and Leeds are among clubs interested in Shrewsbury midfielder Jon Nolan (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea have stepped up their interest in making Massimiliano Allegri their next manager (Daily Mail)

Cristiano Ronaldo attempted an almost-identical overhead kick in training before scoring his stunner against Juventus (Daily Mail)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic turned down a deal worth almost £70m-per-year from Chinese Super League clubs to play for LA Galaxy (Daily Mail)

Mousa Dembele’s desire for a new three-year contract could scupper talks to stay at Tottenham (Daily Telegraph)

Arsene Wenger is considering breaking a vow to David Ospina and recalling Petr Cech for Arsenal’s clash with CSKA Moscow (Daily Telegraph)

Watford are looking to expand the capacity of their Vicarage Road stadium from 21,577 to 30,000 (Watford Observer)