Manchester United transfer roundup: Barcelona still want €100 million United star as Madrid eye €300 million United target and more – August 12, 2018

Manchester United v Leicester City - Premier League
Challenging times!

Hello and welcome the Manchester United transfer roundup for the day! It has been just three days since the transfer window has closed but here we are again with tons of updates regarding the Red Devils.

And believe it or not, there is already a story of the Old Trafford outfit signing a former player in the January window – just three days after the conclusion of the summer transfer window!

Anyways, here are the top reports surrounding the Red Devils…


#5 Rio Ferdinand speaks

Former Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand has spoken of his surprise at his former club not signing Toby Alderweireld from Tottenham Hotspur. The Red Devils were linked with the Belgian for a long time in the transfer window and yet, in the end, they could land neither him nor any other central defender for that matter.

And now, the former Leeds United defender admits that he wanted the former Atletico Madrid defender to be signed by the Old Trafford outfit as he is one of the best defenders in the league.

“I was in favour of bringing Toby Alderweireld from Spurs,” he said.

“When playing regularly, I think he’s within the top two or three centre-halves in the country, in this league.

“I think he’s a fantastic player, he proved it again at the World Cup after not playing so many games last season.

“I thought he was a definite, he would have been my go-to choice, to be honest.”

Continuing his discussion, Ferdinand revealed that his ideal choice to lead the backline of his former club is the likes of Raphael Varane.

According to the legendary former Red Devils defender, the Frenchman is the best defender in the world and would cost a fortune which, along with Real Madrid’s reluctance is one of the reasons why the Old Trafford outfit won’t be able to obtain the services of the World Cup-winning center-half.

“The likes of Raphael Varane, who has proved himself to be the best defender on the planet right now, I think he will be too far to go and get him, the amount of money,” he added.

“I don’t think Real Madrid would sell.”

#4 Gary Neville speaks

Belgium v England: 3rd Place Playoff - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
Alderweireld against England

Speaking in line with his former team-mate Gary Neville also thought that Manchester United would certainly sign Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld in the summer transfer window.

“You think of Alderweireld, which to me seemed like a certainty that Manchester United would sign Alderweireld,” he said.

According to the former full-back, the price tag of around £50 million for a proven defender, coupled with United’s necessity, should have gotten the deal across.

“It’s not too much at £50m because ultimately you’ve just got to get the players in. That’s the main thing, get the players in.”

#3 Fabinho spills the beans

Blackburn Rovers v Liverpool - Pre-Season Friendly
No United interest

Remember how Liverpool fans were mocking Manchester United fans about signing a player that the latter wanted to sign? Well, according to the player himself – which is Fabinho, of course – United were never really in for him.

According to the Brazilian, there might have been interest from the Red Devils but there was no formal approach by the Old Trafford outfit for acquiring his services.

“Manchester never showed any formal interest, they never made me an offer at all,” Fabinho was quoted as saying.

“Maybe there was some interest or a conversation but it’s not a case of Monaco not letting me go to Manchester United or denying me the move, nothing ever really materialised.”

#2 Pogba

Manchester United v Leicester City - Premier League
Pogba wants to leave?

While the transfer might have closed in England, Premier League clubs are still allowed to sell players, which is why Paul Pogba is reportedly trying his best to leave the Old Trafford outfit.

According to a report from Don Balon, Mourinho can’t tolerate the indiscipline exuded by the dab-loving central midfielder – yes, this is exactly what the report claims (except for the 'dab-loving' part, silly) – which is why Pogba has asked Barca manager Ernesto Valverde to keep trying hard to sign him.

Meanwhile, in another report from the same outlet, Ivan Rakitic is aware of Barcelona’s interest in bringing the Frenchman and that is something that makes him insecure. He will be considering his future should the former Juventus man arrive, with the Red Devils circling around him.

#1 Kylian Mbappe

France v Croatia - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Final
The star of the World Cup

It was not a long time ago when Mbappe confirmed that he would be staying at PSG for the upcoming season. After reported interest from Real Madrid, which was denied by the Galacticos themselves, Mbappe confirmed his commitment to the Parisiens but it seems as though there is a bit of a problem going on in Paris.

According to Don Balon, Mbappe wants a pay rise before Christmas, which is like only four months from now, or else he would jump ship and join Madrid. Meanwhile, on the other side, Real Madrid are ready with a €300 million offer for the best young player of the World Cup who has also been linked with Manchester United.

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Edited by Amar Anand
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