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Hello and welcome to the Manchester United Transfer News round-up for 3rd July 2019. We bring you the top transfer stories of the day involving Manchester United and here are our top five picks for today.
Also Read: Manchester United News and Rumours: July 2, 2019
#5 City ready to match United's £70m bid for Harry Maguire
Manchester United's attempt to add a world-class centre-back this summer has hit another road block. We revealed just yesterday that United had placed a £70m bid for Harry Maguire and were considered to be in pole position for the signature of the English defender. Leicester City had rejected United's bid, as it was below their evaluation of Maguire. However, there were reports that United were the only club willing to pay such a huge amount for the defender. Latest reports, though, suggest otherwise.
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Sky Sport reports that City are willing to match United's bid and will go head to head with their bitter rivals for the service of Harry Maguire. Pep Guardiola had previously pinpointed the Englishman as the perfect candidate to replace the departing Vincent Kompany, but it was thought that City were unwilling to pay over £65m for the Leicester City man. However, all that has changed since United placed their bid.
Leicester City, though, are holding out for a world record bid and are hopeful that a bidding war between the Manchester clubs can help them sell Maguire at a higher price. The Englishman still has four years left in his deal and is considered an asset at Leicester City. The player personally is interested in a move, but will not force his way out of the club.
Even though City are willing to flex their financial muscle with United, a lot depends on the future of Nicolas Otamendi, who was previously expected to leave the Etihad for Atletico Madrid. However, if the Argentinean reconsiders his decision, it could be an advantage for United. The Foxes, on the other hand, have no intentions of selling their prized asset unless they are paid exactly what they want. Leicester City are especially convinced that they can hold United ransom, after the Premier League giants paid £50m for Wan-Bissaka.
#4 United make improved offer worth over £350,000-a-week to David De Gea
The David de Gea situation has been a cause of concern of late for United fans. The Spaniard's current deal expires on 30th of June next year and he is yet to sign an extension to his deal. It is believed that De Gea is holding out for an improved contract that would make him one of the top earners in the club and it seems now that United have surrendered to his demands.
The Telegraph reports that United have presented an improved offer to David de Gea, in a bid to keep the Spaniard at the club. De Gea had rejected United's last offer, a 5-year deal which would have seen him earn £350,000-a-week. United's latest offer, though, will see him earn even more.
However, if an agreement cannot be reached, De Gea will be free to negotiate with clubs outside the Premier League from 1st January and could leave for free next summer!
#3 Arsenal legend says Harry Maguire is not worth £70m
Former Arsenal Striker Paul Mariner has urged Manchester United to forget Harry Maguire. He says that the Leicester City man was not worth the astronomical amount of money that the club are asking for him and believes that United should target world class defenders instead.
Speaking to ESPN FC, he had this to say
Is he worth that money? Of course he’s not. We speak about Van Dijk when Van Dijk went to Liverpool, was he worth that? Well it proves that he is worth it because they won the Champions League and that’s a massive plus for them.
But is anybody worth this type of money? We’re talking about defensive players.
So let’s go through his skill set. Is he a good one on one defender? Not bad. Can he get turned? Yes. Is he quick? No. He brings the ball out from the back, yes, very good. Positionally what’s he like? He’s decent in both boxes.
That’s not £70m for me though.
That’s when you start talking about elite central defenders in the world.
#2 Dani Olmo responds to Manchester United rumours
Spain Under-21 winger Dani Olmo has responded to rumours circulating that suggest that he is on the radar of Manchester United. The Spaniard insisted that he knew nothing about the rumours, but did not seem too fazed by them.
Olmo had a fantastic Under-21 European Championships, where he impressed in the entire tournament. The youngster was even adjudged the man of the final match, after he scored in Spain's 2-1 victory over Germany. Olmo plays for Dinamo Zagreb and is coming off the back of a fantastic domestic season, scoring 12 goals and registering 9 assists.
Speaking to Croatian News outlet T-Portal, the Spaniard had this to say:
Honestly, I know absolutely nothing about it.
However, I’m not burdened by this.
He did reveal the kind of club that he would like to sign for this summer, noting -
Very simple – (I want) a club where I will play. Because I am still young and for me it is most important that I have minutes.
#1 United choose Under-23 Manager
The Telegraph reports that Manchester United are very close to announcing their new Under-23 manager. The post has been vacant since Ricky Sbragia left the role in May of this year. Now, it seems that United have decided to appoint Neil Wood as the Head Coach, while Quinton Fortune will be his assistant.
The Red Devils are continuing with their new strategy of putting former players in key positions at the club. Wood graduated from the United academy, however, he did not make a single appearance as a senior player. Fortune, on the other hand, made 126 appearances for the club between 1999 and 2005.
Formal announcements are expected later this week, as United look to make quite a few changes in the academy structure. Wood has been a part of the United set-up since rejoining the club as an academy coach in 2014. Fortune, on the other hand, does have the experience of working as an assistant manager for the Cardiff City Under-21 team and was recently seen as an MUTV Pundit.
