Manchester United transfer news: Barcelona put €110 million price-tag on wizard with replacement in line and more - August 24, 2018

Hello and welcome to the Manchester United transfer news for the day! Things might have slowed down ever since the window slammed shut but the mill never stops – even when the window is closed.

As a result, we have some stories surrounding the biggest club in England and we shall get to them without any further ado!

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#5 The rejections

Jose Mourinho, it seems, has faced a lot of rejections in the summer transfer window. First and foremost, it was his own board that didn’t carry out his bidding of signing experienced players to strengthen the defense and wings – despite the fact that the Portuguese made it absolutely clear that he wanted reinforcements.

And now, after the conclusion of the transfer window, more reports are emerging that reveal how it was just not the board that said no to the former Real Madrid manager.

The Red Devils were once linked with Justin Kluivert – the son of the legendary Patrick Kluivert – but that deal never materialised as the youngster opted to join Roma instead.

The reason why he rejected the Old Trafford outfit is that the Premier League would have been a huge jump that might have hampered his career – that is what Kluivert senior claims, who also added that he wanted his son to be at Ajax for another year at least.

"I'm very satisfied with what he is doing," he said.

"He doesn't speak much, but he is someone who knows how to listen and is motivated, I would have liked to stay in Ajax for another year, but he chose for himself. I think Roma is a good solution.

"A jump to the Premier League would have been difficult... I think United would have been too big a jump. Roma is an important club, but the pressures are lower."

Meanwhile, Mario Mandzukic is another player that the former Inter manager likes. Apparently, he promised the Croat a salary increment should he join him at the Theatre of Dreams but he turned it down after being convinced by Max Allegri to stay.

According to CalcioMercato, Mandzukic was set to earn €5 million-per-year at United – a considerable rise from €3.5 million at Turin – but ultimately turned it down. Money doesn’t always buy you the things that make you happy, I reckon.

#4 The reason for mistrust and January window

Not enough confidence in Mourinho?

Mourinho didn’t get what he wanted in the transfer market because the board didn’t entirely trust him with it. According to Manchester Evening News, the board didn’t back his decision to go for an experienced defender to strengthen the backline.

However, The Sun claims that the board is willing to back him in the transfer market in January but there is an IF clause here. The Red Devils will only sanction signings of players who have a good future value.

There is also another if clause here: the price. If the present price is right, they would back Mourinho and sign his target.

#3 Youth signing and Mourinho resignation

Would have resigned

Two completely contrasting things, we shall start with Manchester United wanting to sign a youth player for their academy. According to MEN, Lukas Bejger is set to sign for the Old Trafford outfit as the club are ready to make the announcement.

The center-back, who can also play as a full-back, was wanted by Manchester City but they failed in the race to acquire him.

Meanwhile, there is a report from the Mirror that claims that Jose Mourinho would have quit the Red Devils by now in protest of not seeing his targets join the club in the summer transfer window.

However, his determination to succeed at the Old Trafford means that he stayed put.

#2 Martial and Mina

Off to Spain?

Anthony Martial’s future at the Old Trafford seems to be unclear at this point as according to Diario de Sevilla (via Marca), Sevilla are looking to add more firepower in their attack and have target PSG’s Julian Draxler and Manchester United’ Anthony Martial.

Meanwhile, Yerry Mina might have already joined Everton along with his former Barca team-mates Andre Gomes and Lucas Digne, his stories with Manchester United haven’t died down just yet.

According to Don Balon, the reason why the Red Devils didn’t sign him is that Barca insisted upon a buy-back clause – something that didn’t go down well with the Old Trafford outfit.

Also, the Catalans wanted the Manchester outfit to sign Andre Gomes as a part of the deal as well, but United obviously refused.

#1 Pogba

Pogba on penalty duty

Until and unless the Spanish transfer window closes, we are going to see this quite a lot. Pogba is not happy at Manchester United. From Jose Mourinho to Mino Raiola, everyone has had something to say about this story.

With Barcelona also pressing for the star, there is a chance that the Old Trafford outfit lose their most expensive signing of all time to the Catalans. However, Barca understand that signing him this summer is impossible since United can’t sign a replacement, according to Don Balon.

However, they also add in another report that Rakitic is wanted by PSG and that they should pay €110 million to acquire his signature. If that happens, the clear favourite to replace him is Pogba.