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Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Bruno Fernandes says goodbyes, agreement 'in hours', £25m bid
Manchester United transfer news is coming thick and fast and Express Sport brings you all the latest including updates on Bruno Fernandes.
Man Utd: Fernandes would add ‘dynamism’ to club says expert
Saturday, January 18
- Man United to reach Bruno Fernandes agreement in ‘hours’
- English reports claim the deal has stalled
- United have lined up a £25m bid for Jude Bellingham
- Boubakary Soumare is one of the club’s top targets
Ashley Young replacement sounded out
Manchester United want to sign Thomas Meunier, according to reports in France.
Le Parisien claim that United are plotting a deal for the right-back, who is out of contract next summer.
He could be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s replacement for Ashley Young, who has joined Inter Milan.
Meunier wants to stay at PSG but will not be offered an extension.
Two other Premier League clubs are also in the race.
United worried about Sancho and Maddison deals
Manchester United are worried that if they pay over the odds for Fernandes, they will struggle to secure other targets.
That’s according to the Evening Standard, who state that United do not want to show other clubs they are soft in negotiations.
The reports state that United want to land Jadon Sancho and James Maddison long-term, and are therefore worried about the knock-on effect.
If United show they will give into hardball, it encourages the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Leicester to follow suit.
Bruno Fernandes says goodbye
Bruno Fernandes reportedly said goodbye to his Sporting team-mates after the match against Benfica.
That’s according to The Sun, who suggest that he has now played his final game for the club.
Fernandes led the club out against Benfica to deafening noise.
However if it was his farewell, it was not the best possible ending to his Sporting career.
Bruno Fernandes agreement in hours
Manchester United are set to agree a deal for Bruno Fernandes in the next few hours, according to Record.
The Red Devils are poised to raise their offer to £55million plus add-ons.
Jorge Mendes is said to still be involved in negotiations.
Fernandes played for Sporting against Benfica last night, despite requesting to miss the match.
£25m deal eyed
Manchester United have made a £25m bid for Birmingham midfielder Jude Bellingham, according to reports.
Jonathan Norcroft said on the Transfer Window Podcast: “They also made a very, very significant offer for 16-year-old at Birmingham City, Jude Bellingham, who has broken into the Birmingham team and become an established part of that and is being scouted by pretty much everyone across Europe.
“Arsenal, I’m told are also very keen on him. He’s in an interesting position in that his father is a policeman and he is being strategic about his son’s career.
“What I’m told from a contact at Birmingham is that the offer from Manchester United is £25m guaranteed for Bellingham.”
The 16-year-old has made a real impression in the Championship this season and is also attracting interest from Arsenal.
New top target identified
Manchester United have identified Boubakary Soumare as one of their top targets this month, Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol has claimed.
Express Sport reported that United sent scouts to watch the Lille midfielder in action at Dijon last weekend, when he was sent off.
“We believe one of their top targets it Boubakary Soumare, the Lille midfielder,” Solhekol said.
“They will try to sign him this month. United could go back in the market even if they tie up a deal for Bruno Fernandes.
“If United sign Fernandes, you have to bear in mind he’s a world-class player.
“United will have done very well to get him because Real Madrid were very close to signing him last summer.
“If United get him now they will have been smart as other big clubs would have been in this summer.”
Bruno Fernandes deal in doubt
Contrary to Portuguese reports, the BBC are reporting that United’s move for Fernandes has stalled.
They claim that United officials are not willing to pay the £68million fee being demanded by Sporting.
Sporting are thought to be willing to sell him this month given they have encountered financial difficulty.
However they are now playing hardball, which is beginning to frustrate the Old Trafford hierarchy.