Paper Talk: £80m playmaker leapfrogs Sancho as No 1 Man Utd target

Manchester United have pinpointed a new priority signing this summer, while Wolves are plotting a surprise move for a former Everton star, according to Sunday’s newspaper gossip.

 

MAN UTD SET VILLA PLAYMAKER AS NEW PRIORITY TARGET

Jack Grealish is now Manchester United’s No.1 summer transfer target, according to reports in Sunday’s press.

The Aston Villa skipper is top of the wanted list for boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as he seeks to push the Red Devils back in the big-time, according to a report in the Sunday Mirror.

The 24-year-old playmaker is said to have been ‘at the centre of detailed due diligence that’s being undertaken by senior figures at Old Trafford’ over a potential £80m move.

Despite Grealish breaking lockdown rules to attend a house-party with former team-mate Ross McCormack – a move that ended with him picking up a £150,000 club fine – that has not put off United chief Solskjaer.

But with cash at a premium this summer, United will prioritise Grealish over Jadon Sancho – especially as Borussia Dortmund are unwilling to lower their £100m asking price.

The Bundesliga giants were asking a nine-figure fee for the England international and are happy to hold onto him for another season, despite alleged interest from Real Madrid, while Liverpool are also said to be back in the chase for the attacker.

 

 

 

That kind of outlay is reportedly becoming increasingly difficult for United to justify, with respect to Sancho, but Grealish is said to have captured the attention of the decision-makers at the club and, regardless of whether Villa are relegated, the Norwegian will press the button on the deal.

Meanwhile, Grealish’s agent Jonathan Barnett has also hinted that a move could be on tha cards when dicussing the future of the Villa star, as well another of his clients, Saul Niguez – who is also a United target.

 

 

AND MORE GOSSIP

Manchester United could offer Dan James a bumper new deal – then loan him out next season (Sun on Sunday)

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Premier League chiefs are set to crack down on football’s ‘Covidiots’ with big fines and possible points penalties (Sun on Sunday)

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe is making a surprise swoop for Portuguese playmaker Fabio Vieira (Sun on Sunday)

Real Madrid have made an 80m euro (£71m) bid for Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz and would allow the 20-year-old Germany midfielder to stay at his current club next season before moving to the Bernabeu (ESPN)

Chelsea face competition from at least seven clubs in their attempt to sign England left-back Ben Chilwell from Leicester, who are under no pressure to sell the 23-year-old (Sunday Mirror)

Arsenal are culling several senior continental scouts in another round of cuts (Sunday Mirror)

West Ham are leading the race to sign Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi (Sunday Express)

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Dirk Kuyt has quit Feyenoord and put his coaching career on hold for personal reasons (Sunday Mirror)

Potential new Newcastle board member Jamie Reuben is reportedly prepared to use his influence to help the club sign QPR starlet Eberechi Eze (Sunday Express)

Everton are leading the race to sign 25-year-old Juventus and France midfielder Adrien Rabiot (Mail on Sunday)

Arsenal and Wolves are interested in 25-year-old Italy defender Daniele Rugani, who has struggled for first-team football at Juventus under manager Maurizio Sarri (Mail on Sunday)

Saudi Arabia is set to work out a peace deal over TV rights with Qatar amid fears the row could scupper the takeover of Newcastle (Mail on Sunday)

Wolves are lining up a move to bring former Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye back to the Premier League from French giants Paris Saint-Germain (Sunday Express)

Manchester City begin the biggest contest of their season this week – one that could change the future of the club and its star names (Mail on Sunday)

QPR chief executive Lee Hoos has backed calls for a wage cap in the Football League in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic (Mail on Sunday)

Celtic have opened talks with Arsenal strike target Odsonne Eduoard over a new contract (Daily Record)