Advertisement

Gossip: Manchester United 'target European trio', Chelsea 'want to keep Costa', Everton 'agree Sigurdsson fee'

Manchester United's transfer targets: Renato Sanches, Douglas Costa, Bernardo Silva
Manchester United's transfer targets: Renato Sanches, Douglas Costa, Bernardo Silva

After years of simmering threats and bratty tantrums, it was only a matter of time before Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho went full-on gangster on us. So it should be no surprise that the Express reveals the stroppy Portuguese tactician has moved onto the next level of antagonism by making Monaco “an offer they cannot refuse” for Bernardo Silva.

Unsettlingly, the precise nature of this offer is not disclosed – leading us to assume that the Special One (which is a genuinely intimidating gangster name) is quite possibly willing to put a cap in someone’s ass in order to bring the 22-year-old playmaker to Manchester United. Or at the very least give them a Chinese burn. Or at the very very least pay them way more than Silva’s true value.

READ MORE: Manchester United in shock and sadness over terrorist bomb blast

READ MORE: Griezmann rates move Man United move chance as ‘6 out of 10’

Mourinho’s aggressive buying spree continues in the Sun, which says United are set to move for unsettled Bayern Munich duo Renato Sanches and Douglas Costa.

The Red Devils spent most of last summer trying – and failing – to land Portuguese teen sensation Sanches, who may regret snubbing them for Bayern after making just six league starts for the German champions all season.

Brazilian midfielder Costa, meanwhile, has also spent most of the season on the bench and could be keen to move to England providing nobody confuses him with his almost-namesake Diego Costa.


However, Bad Costa’s departure to China, or Spain, is not yet signed or sealed, with the Sun claiming Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has “personally pleaded” with the club’s top brass to keep the “irreplaceable” striker at Stamford Bridge.

Everton have “agreed” a £25m transfer fee with Swansea to sign midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson, says the Mirror. However, the Icelander’s wage demands of £120,000 a week could “kill the deal”. Tottenham and Southampton are also said to be keen on Gylfi, but they wouldn’t pay him £120,000 a week either, so he might just have to stay in Wales where things are cheaper.

Arsenal are getting stuck into their Europa League-level transfer strategy, with the Sun reporting that the Gunners will compete with Everton, Southampton and West Brom for £6.8m-rated KAS Eupen striker Henry Onyekuru. The tabloid uses the optimistic sub-heading “The New Henry”, just to make Gunners fans feel better.

Elsewhere, Bayern Munich have joined Chelsea and Manchester City in the race to sign Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker (Sun), Newcastle will compete with West Ham to sign Chelsea’s Michy Batshuayi on loan (Mirror) and Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe has opened talks over a possible move to Bournemouth (Guardian). If the departure of David Moyes can’t persuade the 34-year-old to stay on Wearside, then nothing can.