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Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Ed Woodward to follow Bruno Fernandes deal with second signing
Manchester United transfer news, gossip and updates are coming in thick and fast. Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the very latest from Old Trafford.
Man Utd: Bruno Fernandes questioned over signing
Man Utd transfer news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from Old Trafford
Thursday, January 30
- Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign midfielder Bruno Fernandes
- Fernandes will undergo a medical at United’s training facility tomorrow
- Manchester United are close to signing Southend United goalkeeper Nathan Bishop
- The Red Devils have made a formal approach for Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic
Thomas Muller on radar
Bayern Munich striker Thomas Muller has not ruled out leaving the club, according to reports in Germany.
The 30-year-old is no longer guaranteed a starting spot in Bayern's side this season and as a result could be tempted with the prospect of a new challenge in the Premier League or Serie A.
United have been long-term admirers of Muller, who is under contract until 2021.
According to German publication Bild, Muller hasn’t ruled out leaving Bayern as he is unhappy with his current substitute appearances.
Kalidou Koulibaly staying
Manchester United and Chelsea have been trying to sign Kalidou Koulibaly this month, with both teams trying to add more experience to their back line.
But, the Napoli centre-back expects to remain in Serie A until at least the summer, it’s been claimed.
Koulibaly, and a number of the Napoli players, fell out with De Laurentiis earlier this season, after the club decided to sack Carlo Ancelotti.
United and Chelsea had hoped that the defender’s disagreement with De Laurentiis would work in their favour, as they try to broker a deal.
But, the Serie A club are still unwilling to let their star defender leave this month, The Sun claim.
Marcus Rashford welcomes Bruno
Marcus Rashford has welcomed Bruno Fernandes to Manchester United on Twitter following the news that the club have agreed a deal to sign the Sporting Lisbon midfielder.
Thousands of buoyant fans filled the comments section - including boyhood supporter Rashford.
“Welcome Bruno [raising hands emoji,” United’s top scorer this season tweeted.
Fred, Andreas Pereira and Diogo Dalot all share the same mother tongue and the latter also sent Fernandes a brief message after United’s announcement.
The full-back simply quote-tweeted United’s post with a smirking face along with the Portuguese flag.
Willian to Barcelona latest
Barcelona are supposedly preparing a £20million offer for Chelsea playmaker Willian.
That’s according to Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol, who claims the Catalan giants are hopeful of securing a deal for the Brazilian.
“We’ve just got another transfer update coming into us,” Solhekol said. “This is a big story regarding Chelsea. What we are hearing at the moment is that Barcelona are preparing to make a late, last-minute, £20m bid for the Chelsea winger Willian.
“He is a player they have tried to sign in the past, they’ve been long-term admirers of the Brazilian who is out of contract in the summer.
“Barcelona believe they can get him for £20m. Now it is interesting, Willian’s situation at Chelsea, because he’s just got six months left on his contract.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Bruno Fernandes
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he’s ‘delighted’ by the imminent capture of Sporting Lisbon playmaker Bruno Fernandes.
“I'm delighted that we've agreed with Sporting,” he told MUTV. “There have been good negotiations with the club and we know, through history, these two clubs have been good with each other.
“Now we've reached that agreement, hopefully we can get the boy's contract over the line and the medical done and then, hopefully we can announce it.”
In a separate interview with Sky Sports, Ole described the deal as “exciting”.
Nev expects
Manchester United legend Gary Neville reckons his former club will make another signing before the end of the January transfer window.
“I thought they would do at least two deals in this window,” he told Sky Sports. “We’ll see what happens in the next 48 hours because I think a striker’s required now with what’s happened with Marcus Rashford. But it’s a positive.”
Neville has also urged caution and says United fans should be patient with Fernandes.
“I’ve not got huge expectations of Bruno Fernandes in terms of these next few months,” he added. “I think for him to come to England, to settle in, he’ll need some time.”
Dries Mertens enquiry
Chelsea have launched a formal approach for Napoli striker Dries Mertens.
Frank Lampard still haven’t made any signings in January and have just 48 hours to complete any additions.
The Blues are known to be searching for a forward and Mertens could be the answer.
Goal claim Chelsea have contacted Napoli to discuss his availability and could sign the 32-year-old on a pre-contract agreement for the summer.
However, Lampard wants to bolster his ranks now and is pushing for the deal to be completed before Friday’s deadline.
“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them".
— Sporting Clube de Portugal (@Sporting_CP) January 29, 2020
Obrigado Capitão. Para sempre Leão ������ pic.twitter.com/L7JqXs6RbT
Sporting post video tribute
Sporting Lisbon have posted a farewell video to Bruno Fernandes on their social media with the midfielder set to complete a transfer to Manchester United.
The Red Devils have announced they have come to an agreement with the Portuguese club over the 25-year-old.
Shortly after, Sporting posted a heartfelt message to Fernandes with a video of highlights of his career at the club.
It said: “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them”. “Obrigado Capitão. Para sempre Leão”.
Bruno Fernandes is coming... ������������⚡️ #MUFC #ManUnited #transfers pic.twitter.com/mXpU4mhcpX
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 29, 2020
Richarlison bid
Everton have rejected an approach from Barcelona for Richarlison.
That’s according to Sky Sports, who claim the Spanish champions offered £85million for the Brazilian forward.
It’s said Everton rejected the offer immediately and are NOT willing to part ways with their most prized asset.
Richarlison, 22, has scored 10 goals and provided four assists in 27 appearances for the Toffees this season.
Bruno Fernandes agreement
Manchester United have agreed a deal with Sporting Lisbon to sign midfielder Bruno Fernandes, subject to a medical and the agreement of personal terms, the Premier League club have announced.
The fee is expected to in the region of £46.6million and a further £8.5m in add-ons.
A club statement read: "Manchester United is delighted to announce it has reached agreement with Sporting Clube de Portugal for the transfer of Bruno Fernandes. A further announcement will be made in due course."
United will hope Fernandes, who scored 32 goals in all competitions for Sporting last season, will be able to add some much-needed attacking spark to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's midfield.
Reports suggest Fernandes will undergo a medical at United’s training facility tomorrow.
Nathan Bishop arrival
Manchester United are close to signing Southend United goalkeeper Nathan Bishop, report the BBC.
The 20-year-old, who has made 17 appearances for the League One club this season, is expected to join up with United's development squad.
Southend boss Sol Campbell confirmed Bishop's absence from Tuesday’s squad that lost 3-1 at Doncaster was due to the goalkeeper having a medical at an unnamed club.
Bishop was part of the England Under-20s squad at last summer's Toulon tournament, where he kept a clean sheet in a 4-0 win over Guatemala.
Ivan Rakitic sale
Manchester United have made a formal approach for Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic.
That’s according to ESPN, who claim Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have enquired about the Croatia international’s availability.
Spanish newspaper Sport claim the Catalan giants are actively trying to sell the 31-year-old, and would accept a fee in the region of £17million.
However, the report claims the arrival of Bruno Fernandes would likely scupper the chances of Rakitic arriving at Old Trafford.