Manchester United transfer roundup: United want Barcelona duo worth €525 million and more – August 8, 2018

Hello and welcome to the Manchester United transfer roundup for the day! With just a day in the transfer window remaining, Manchester United will need to press on the accelerator and get their deals over the line.

There are some updates regarding the Red Devils and here are some of them...

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#5 N’Golo Kante

With just over a day to go in the transfer market, there seem to be some revelations in the dead hours of the window. One of them is right here and now as Axel Witsel’s agent has claimed that Jose Mourinho is interested in bringing one of his clients and N’Golo Kante to Manchester United.

Kante joined Chelsea from Leicester in 2016 – amid interest also from Manchester United – and has won the Premier League and the World Cup since. According to Witsel’s agent, both Napoli and the Old Trafford outfit wanted him.

However, he advised his client to join Borussia Dortmund because he would be a regular starter with the German outfit – something that he won’t be guaranteed at either of the aforementioned clubs.

“There were other candidates. Manchester United wanted him [Witsel], Napoli too,” Stefani told Het Laatste Nieuws.

“But I have told Axel: 'At Dortmund you are the number one, at Manchester you are one of many… and at Napoli too’.”

He then added that the Portuguese’s first choice wasn’t the Belgian as he wanted the World Cup-winning French midfielder, N’Golo Kante, to join the Theatre of Dreams and play under his tutelage.

“I know from a very good source that Mourinho said he wanted Witsel, but not in the first place. N’Golo Kante topped his list.”

Ultimately, Stefani added, Witsel opted to join Borussia Dortmund as he really fancied the move to the Bundesliga outfit.

“Eventually Axel said: 'Do me a favour and finish it as quickly as possible because I really want to go to Dortmund’.”

#4 Toby Alderweireld

Still unsure

Toby Alderweireld’s move to Manchester United is a very complicated one according to Belgian football expert Kristof Terreur. The pundit believes that the saga will draw down to the deadline day.

“I've been told for the last few weeks it's pretty complicated between the two teams,” Terreur said.

“Daniel Levy has been known as a tough negotiator and Ed Woodward likes to bet on several horses, that's what he's been doing right now with all the names that are flying around from Harry Maguire to Jerome Boateng.”

He also added that the Belgian is currently waiting to know where his future lies next season as nobody is sure what could happen next.

"Alderweireld is waiting, he's hoping something might happen. At this moment, I can't say for sure if it will happen.”

#3 Milinkovic and Boateng rejection

Boateng rejects United

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic was initially linked with the Red Devils for the early part of the window. However, the interest seemingly faded away after a while and the Lazio man has since been linked to Real Madrid.

Don Balon continue those talks as the Serbian as Lazio want €150 million for their prized asset. Real Madrid, however, believe that €100 million would be enough to entice Lazio into selling him.

Meanwhile, Sky Sports reveal that Jerome Boateng has rejected the chance to join the Old Trafford outfit after Jose Mourinho showed interest in the former Manchester City man.

#2 Pogba and Rakitic

Swap on the cards?

Paul Pogba to Barcelona is picking up the pace as Reports are doing the rounds about Mino Raiola offering him to the Catalans. However, not everyone at the Camp Nou is happy about this.

According to Don Balon, Sergio Busquets has informed the manager that Ivan Rakitic wouldn’t be pleased with the acquisition of the French World Cup-winning superstar as he is a direct threat to his place at Catalonia.

Meanwhile, Mourinho wants Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic, who has a release clause of €125 million, in a swap deal involving Paul Pogba, say Don Balon. Barca are willing to let go of Ousmane Dembele as well but the Red Devils want the Croat.

#1 Dembele

Dembele to United?

Speaking of Ousmane Dembele, Don Balon has more information in this regard. According to the information obtained by them, two Premier League outfits are interested in acquiring his signature.

Arsenal and Manchester United are on the trail of the World Cup-winning French forward as they eye to sign him for €100 million, which is four times less than his €400 million release clause with the Catalans.