TRANSFER ROUNDUP: Mourinho Wants Juventus Defender, Vardy To Stay At Leicester, And More
Adam Ounas Hints At A Manchester United Move
Bordeaux’s promising attacking midfielder Adam Ounas has hinted at a possible move to Manchester United.
According to French news source RMC, Serie A outfit Napoli, as well as Premier League clubs Stoke City, Southampton and Manchester United have submitted their offers for Ounas – who Bordeaux believe is worth €10 million. However, being the biggest club out of the list, the Red Devils are clearly leading the race for the young starlet’s signature.
Amidst such speculation, Adam Ounas himself has strongly hinted that he will be moving to Manchester in the near future. The 19-year-old dropped the hints on social media, by following Manchester United and their star striker Anthony Martial on twitter. Furthermore, the attacking midfielder also followed the Old Trafford club and their players, including the likes of Wayne Rooney, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford on Instagram.
The possibility remains that this might just be a coincidence, or that Ounas may be an avid Manchester United supporter, but what seems most likely is that the Bordeaux man is truly on his way to the Theatre of Dreams.
Arsene Wenger Confirms Jamie Vardy’s Move To Arsenal Is Off
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Jamie Vardy has decided not to join the Gunners, and remain at Leicester City.
In order to bolster Arsenal’s weakish attack, Wenger had identified Jamie Vardy as his ideal transfer target. The Frenchman went on to activate the 29-year-old’s release clause by submitting a bid worth £22 million, and offered the England international a four-year contract.
Earlier this month, Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri was asked about his star striker’s move to Arsenal in an interview with Sky Italia, to which he simply replied: “Arsenal told us that they want to pay the clause, but he [Vardy] has not yet decided.”
However, it looks like Vardy has finally made a decision about his future, and has chosen to turn the Gunners down and remain with the reigning English champions. Speaking on Japanese television, Arsene Wenger himself, was quoted as saying: “Jamie Vardy is, at the moment, at Leicester, and from what I know, he will stay at Leicester.”
Manchester United Targeting Leonardo Bonucci
Manchester United are targeting Juventus center back Leonardo Bonucci, according to the Daily Star.
Jose Mourinho, who recently made £30m-worth Eric Bailly his first Manchester United signing, is now looking to bring another center back to the Theatre of Dreams, and has ended up targeting Juventus’ Leonardo Bonucci. Mourinho is believed to be readying a bid worth £25 million as he looks to further strengthen the United defence.
The 29-year-old joined Juventus in July 2010 for a fee of €15.5 million, and has since managed to establish himself as one of the top defenders in Serie A. The Italian international is not only being targeted by the Special One, however, but also his national team boss Antonio Conte, who wants to take the center back to his new club Chelsea.
Barcelona On High Alert Due To PSG’s Mammoth Offer For Neymar
Barcelona have gotten “alarmed” due to the gigantic offer made by Paris Saint Germain for their star man Neymar, as per Mundo Deportivo.
According to reports in Spain, the Brazilian sensation has four lucrative offers on his table – one from his current club Barcelona, and the rest from Real Madrid, Manchester United and Paris Saint Germain.
Neymar’s current contract sees him earn £7m-a-year, but the Catalan giants are willing to increase it to £10.9m-a-year to keep the 24-year-old in Barcelona. However, as usual, their arch-rivals Real Madrid are intent on eclipsing them, which is why the reigning European Champions have offered Neymar a better deal, worth £11.7m-a-year.
English giants Manchester United are putting their huge financial resources into use, and have tabled an offer around £13.3million-a-year for Neymar, so has to unite the Brazil international with Jose Mourinho and reclaim their English throne, after having spent 3 seasons without winning the league.
However, the club to submit the biggest offer for Neymar is none other than Paris Saint Germain. The French champions have made a whopping £14.5m-a-year offer, which could further rise to £22m-a-year! This unbelievable offer has certainly alarmed the Liga Liga champions, as they now possess only a 50% chance of retaining Neymar Jr.’s services.
Arsenal Looking To Sign Daley Blind From Manchester United
Arsenal are interested in signing Manchester United’s versatile defender-cum-midfielder Daley Blind, according to reports in England.
New United boss Jose Mourinho is unsure whether Blind has the appropriate physique to be a center back in his side. Moreover, the Special One is also looking to recruit more central midfielders to add to the already long list of CMs in the current United squad, which may lead to Blind becoming more of a versatile substitute on the Manchester United bench.
Arsene Wenger looks set to take advantage of this situation, and lure the Dutch international to North London, so as to fix the patchy Arsenal defence. However, it may prove to be a tough task, as the 26-year-old is intent to prove himself to Mourinho and remain at the Old Trafford club.
Speaking to NOS, Blind stated: “I am looking forward to working with Mourinho. We will have to wait and see whether anything changes for me. I will just give my all and work hard. Mourinho is a manager who has achieved a lot and I am keen to work with him.
“I might not be as big as Pepe, but I think I have shown in the Premier League that I can hold my own defensively. We conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League and I think we got the most clean sheets. That’s something to be proud of. I played nearly every game and that is a good feeling. You might be looking for a certain statement, but I will just give my all under Mourinho.”
Gareth Bale