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Hello and welcome to the Manchester United Transfer News round-up for 23rd July 2019. We bring you the top transfer stories of the day involving Manchester United and here are our top picks for the day.
Also Read: Manchester United News and Rumours: July 22, 2019
#5 Bruno Fernandes expresses his desire to play in England
We start today's segment with news about one of Manchester United's targets, Bruno Fernandes. The Red Devils have been tracking the Portuguese star all summer and are currently the front runners for his signature.
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Solskjaer is very interested in bringing the Sporting Lisbon midfielder to Old Trafford, but an official bid has not been submitted yet. However, here's some good news for United fans.
Also See : Arsenal Transfer News, EPL Transfer News, La Liga Transfer News.
The Portuguese has expressed his desire to play in England, even as United remain interested in his services. Fernandes is a part of the Sporting Lisbon squad that is traveling to New York and he spoke to the reporters before the journey.
I don't care about the market, I've talked about this many times.
The only thing I can do now is that I need to catch the plane so I don't miss it. Will this be the last match for Sporting? I don't know, it's the coach who decides.
I'm told I'd like to play in England, but I don't care about it right now.
If it could be this season? It could be when the club decides, I'm not in charge.
Bruno Fernandes is contracted to Sporting Lisbon until the summer of 2023, having signed a new 5-year deal last summer. Interestingly, his deal contains a £31m release clause, and if a club agrees to pay that amount and Sporting refuses to sell, the Portuguese side is obliged to pay Fernandes a £4.5m compensation.
The Portuguese scored 32 goals from the midfield last season and Sporting want at least £60m for him. He also won the inaugural UEFA Nations League with Portugal over the summer and has been under the radar of quite a few of the European football heavyweights. However, United are rumored to be the only club interested in his services right now.
#4 Ed Woodward absent from pre-season tour to complete more signings
Manchester United's big summer has hardly gone according to plan. The Red Devils have secured the services of Daniel James from Swansea and Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace. However, since then, it has been a frustrating time for the Premier League giants. A center-back has still eluded them, while at least one more midfielder is also on the list, but United have failed to complete their third signing so far.
The Telegraph reports that Executive Vice Chairman Ed Woodward has not joined the club on the pre-season tour in order to complete more signings before the end of the transfer window. He is joined by the head of Corporate Development, Matt Judge and the two of them are supposedly working behind the scene to secure Solskjaer's targets.
A move for Harry Maguire has stalled temporarily after Leicester City rejected United's £70m bid, while United are still interested in Newcastle United's Sean Longstaff. Also in the priority list is a potential departure of Romelu Lukaku, along with the sale of a few other players who are surplus to requirements.
#3 Nicky Butt appointed Head of First Team Development at United
Nicky Butt has been appointed as the Head of First Team Development at Manchester United. The former head of the club's academy recently vacated his position so that he could take over the new role that will see him reporting directly to his former teammate, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Englishman will work closely with the Norwegian to nurture young talents that come through the United academy and are considered good enough to make the jump to the first team. Butt is expected to help ease the transition of the likes of Mason Greenwood, James Garner, Angel Gomes and Tahith Chong in the first team.
Butt's appointment is an ongoing policy at United of installing former players in key positions, in a bid to enhance the club's legacy. The Englishman's former position at the academy will be taken over by Nick Cox. Butt's arrival will not affect United's search for a technical director, as the club is still on the look out for the perfect candidate for the role.
#2 Luke Shaw believes Mason Greenwood will succeed at United
Luke Shaw has backed Mason Greenwood to succeed at Manchester United, highlighting his teammate's exceptional qualities and levelheadedness as one of the prime reasons for his steady rise.
It's quite easy to tell when someone's got something about them as a player; all four of them have got different qualities that one day or even very soon will make a United player and I think Mason's very close.
I've got no doubts he could be an important player for us at the end of the season.
It's hard to think he's still 17, he's got so much talent it's unbelievable. He's two-footed - that's unbelievable for that age.
He's got the maturity level that is so much above his age but he's not cocky. It's the perfect way to be.
The Englishman certainly thinks that the teenager has the right attitude to make a mark this season and has even mentioned that he is available for advice if Greenwood would ever need it.
I've been through it and I know what new players and young players need. I'm always here to give advice.
#1 Lille President confirms Nicolas Pepe will leave this summer
We previously revealed in this segment that Manchester United are in advanced talks with Ligue 1 side Lille for the signature of Nicolas Pepe. Now, recent reports seem to all but confirm that Pepe will be on the move this summer.
Sky Sports reports that Lille President Gerard Lopez has confirmed Nicolas Pepe would leave the club this summer, also revealing that the French side had received big offers from big clubs for the Ivorian.
In terms of departures and arrivals, if a player leaves, we will go and get what we need.
For Nico, it is almost done and he could have left last summer.
It is true that there are big offers and big clubs in for him, so I think [he will leave]. Aside from that, you never know in football.
Solskjaer wants fast, fluid players in his team to play a brand of high tempo football and Nicolas Pepe certainly fits the bill. If United do manage to secure the services of the Ivorian, it would be massive for the club.
