Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Man Utd News and Transfers: Arturo Vidal SHOCK, £32m Laporte deal ON, Odegaard confusion
MANCHESTER UNITED may finally have to give up on their long-term pursuit of Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal.
Arturo Vidal Player Profile
The Chilean international had been expected to join Old Trafford during the summer, but a £40m move failed to materialise.
And it now appears that United have well and truly missed their opportunity after reports the 27-year-old is close to agreeing a contract extension in Serie A.
Vidal's contract is due to expire in the summer of 2017, but Massimiliano Allegri wants to stay one step ahead of potential suitors with a new deal.
United will now focus on bringing top-target Kevin Strootman to Manchester in January.
If I were him I would choose Ajax because of the good academy
United are hopeful of signing Athletic Bilbao's French defender Aymeric Laporte.
Spanish sources claim the Premier League side will meet Laporte's astronomical £32m buyout clause either in January or the summer of 2016 - leaving just personal terms to be negotiated.
But United will have to fend off interest from Arsenal if they are to land Laporte, and there is no guarantee he won't opt to join his compatriot Arsene Wenger.
Louis van Gaal is also targeting Winston Reid, Ezequiel Garay and Mats Hummels.
United and Liverpool's hopes of signing Norwegian teenager Martin Odegaard have taken a significant knock after reports Ajax have made an offer.
According to claims in the Norwegian media, Odegaard accepted an invitation to explore the Dutch club's training complex, and facilities.
Ajax's early move may have out-foxed both both English sides and prove too flattering for the young midfielder to decline.
Coach Frank De Boer said: "If I were him I would choose Ajax because of the good academy and he can take the next step from here. Maybe he is ready for bigger tasks already like 20 to 21 years old."
Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?