Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Saul Niguez update, Pogba contract latest, Harry Kane move back on, Haaland EXCLUSIVE
MANCHESTER UNITED handing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a new deal could put the Red Devils in pole position to land Erling Haaland, SunSport can reveal.
Meanwhile Man Utd are looking at a number of midfield targets should Paul Pogba choose to leave, with Saul Niguez believed to be among the most likely to join, but Eduardo Camavinga and Ruben Neves are also being eyed.
And a move for Harry Kane could be back on after the England captain skipped training with Tottenham.
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Follow ALL of the latest updates below...
ERIC'S UNSURE
Reports emerging from Old Trafford are stating that the imminent arrival of Raphael Varane may also signal the end of Eric Bailly's United career.
According to ESPN Eric Bailly is eager to seek clarification of his future at the club when he returns from representing Ivory Coast at the Tokyo Olympics.
The 27-year-old only signed a new contract with the club in April after assurances regarding his playing time, but the arrival of Raphael Varane may change that.
Watch this space.
PHIL STEAM AHEAD
West Ham boss David Moyes is eager for a reunion with Manchester United defender Phil Jones, according to reports.
With the imminent arrival of Raphael Varane from Real Madrid the Red Devils are open to the departure of Jones, who has made just eight appearances in the last two years.
Hammers boss David Moyes worked with Jones during his spell as United boss and is keen to bring the 29-year-old to East London.
Jones still has two years left on his contract but some reports are suggesting United would be willing to let him leave on a free transfer.
DONNY BE A GOOD ONE
The Donny van de Beek content keeps coming from the Man Utd admin.
Will he play a key role this season?
(van de Beek I mean...)
VAR-ANE
Raphael Varane has asked for clips of Manchester United defending set-pieces so he can study and hit the ground running when he joins, according to reports.
The defender is set to move to Old Trafford this summer, and he's already looking into where they can improve.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Varane has been studying United's defending from last season.
And has specifically requested footage of their defensive organisation at set-pieces.
BACKING THAT UP
To further back up the below post, ESPN report the Glazer's have given Ole £100million to spend this summer.
Though that amount can be topped up with player sales.
And they say offers for Jesse Lingard, Brandon Williams, Diogo Dalot, Alex Telles, Phil Jones, Andreas Pereira, Daniel James and Anthony Martial will be considered.
SELL TO SPEND
United are set to have a net spend of £75million to £100million and will need to offload to balance the books, reports say.
Sancho's £73million move looks to be followed by a £41million move for Varane.
With a new midfielder and Kieran Trippier still reported targets, United may be forced to sell Paul Pogba or Jesse Lingard.
The Telegraph say any more incomings would need to come following sales.
TUANZEBE A TARGET
Man Utd’s Axel Tuanzebe is a target for Newcastle United, reports say.
The defender will find himself further down the pecking order when Raphael Varane is announced.
Steve Bruce’s side are yet to bring anyone in this window after their attempts to bring Joe Willock back from Arsenal have proved difficult.
And The Telegraph say Tuanzebe could be their first incoming.
RASH TALKS
Marcus Rashford is set for talks with Manchester United before deciding on a shoulder operation.
The forward is keen to get the procedure done but it would keep him out of action for three months.
United were hoping a break after the Euros may ease the problem.
But reports claim Rashford is still keen on the surgery.
REPLACEMENT
Real Madrid will NOT replace Raphael Varane when he joins Man Utd.
With the Varane deal seemingly close, Carlo Ancelotti will instead look to use defenders from within, the Record say.
Eder Militao, David Alaba and Nacho will all be given time to impress.
READY TO RAPH
Rio Ferdinand believes Raphael Varane has forced his Real Madrid exit through to join Manchester United.
The Red Devils legend is excited to see Varane team up at the back with Harry Maguire.
Ferdinand, 42, believes Varane has done what he needed to, to get the deal over the line.
What a signing. There's been talk in the transfer market since it opened up - it must have come from the player.
He must have wanted to leave, and be part of the new Man United way, the project that's going ahead.
With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer signing a new deal, Sancho coming in - the talent they've got there, the ability to play alongside Maguire after he did so well at the Euros probably played a part.
I just think he sees this as a better project than what he's got at Real Madrid now.
Rio FerdinandGOOD MORNING UNITED FANS
It's all eyes on Raphael Varane after yesterday's news that a bid had now been accepted.
Varane is reported to have agreed personal terms on a four-year-deal.
That deal includes the option for a further year too.
Diogo Dalot looks set to return to AC Milan, with Utd keen to recoup some of the funds spent on Sancho and Varane.
RAPH AND READY
In case you missed it, Man Utd have had a bid accepted by Real Madrid for Raphael Varane.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano tweeted: "Raphael Varane contract with Manchester United will be on a four-years basis with option to extend until June 2026.
"Personal terms agreed since days and paperworks prepared in the last few hours.
"Real Madrid accepted the bid today morning."
LUK IT OUT
Inter Milan have reiterated that former Man Utd striker Romelu Lukaku is not for sale this summer.
Chelsea have been linked with a big-money move for their former striker as they look to boost their shot-shy forward line.
Lukaku himself said before the Euros began that he would be staying.
And now Inter CEO Beppe Marotta has ruled out the 28-year-old leaving this summer, as he is crucial to new boss Simone Inzaghi’s plans.
Marotta said: “From our side, we can say yes, absolutely, Lukaku is not for sale.
“He is an important piece on the chessboard available to Simone Inzaghi.”
BEEK TO THE FUTURE
Donny van de Beek has returned to training ahead of the new Premier League season.
The Holland international struggled at Old Trafford last term but is reportedly determined to prove himself in England.
The 24-year-old managed just FOUR Premier League stars during his debut season at United, spending most of the time on the bench.
And van de Beek's season ended in despair when injury ruled him out of Holland's Euro 2020 campaign.
The player has now returned to training and is hoping to get fully fit ahead of United's Premier League opener at home to Everton on August 7.
Van de Beek was seen laughing at Carrington with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his team-mates, many of whom are away on holiday.
TRAINING DAY
Jadon Sancho has been whipping himself into shape ahead of his debut season at Manchester United.
The winger finally completed his dream move to Old Trafford, having arrived for £73million from Borussia Dortmund.
And despite enjoying some well earned time off during the summer, Sancho is getting right back down to business.
The 21-year-old forward is likely to make his debut in red against Everton on Saturday, August 7, in a pre-season friendly.
And United hope to add Raphael Varane, 28, to their squad this summer after holding talks with the player and Real Madrid.
They believe there has been a breakthrough in negotiations with SunSport understanding an agreement over a fee for the Frenchman is close.
FLAIR WAY TO HEAVEN
Jadon Sancho was a street star full of desire - as shown with his dare and flair on the ball in a special practice game aged just 14.
Manchester United's new £73million attacker was a dazzling prospect for Watford at the time, also practicing on the streets of London.
And a video shows how the lean Hornet paraded skills that would help turn him into a sporting super hero.
Football channel FFDTV Online captured kids like Sancho and fellow England Under-17 World Cup winners Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ryan Sessegnon.
And the former Borussia Dortmund wideman is seen weaving and whipping between defenders as he keeps the ball riveted to his foot.
Sancho's shimmies and touch led to Manchester City nabbing him from Watford in 2015.
Read more HERE.
DALOT'S OFF
Diogo Dalot could be returning to AC Milan, according to reports.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has hinted that AC Milan are working on a loan deal with an option to buy for the 22-year-old.
The Portugese international spent last season on loan at San Siro, with bosses keen for another loan move or even a permanent transfer.
The arrival of Jadon Sancho and imminent signature or Raphael Varane represent significant investment from the Red Devils, with the sale of Dalot an opportunity to recoup a small amount of money that's been spent.
MATIC MAKING WAY?
However Romano has suggested that Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matic could be on his way out of Old Trafford.
The 32-year-old has been at the club since 2017, but may well be moved on this summer to free up funds for further signings.
Romano told The United Stand: "I would say keep an eye on Matic's situation.
"Because if they want to sign a new midfielder, I think Matic could be one of the players to leave the club."
TRAINING WELL
Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek is working hard in training and catching the eye of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as he tries to force his way into the Red Devils first team.
Van de Beek made 36 appearances for United last season but made just four Premier League starts with some reports suggesting the 24-year-old Dutchman could leave Old Trafford after just twelve months.
Barcelona are said to be interested in his signature, but transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has said the van de Beek transfer situation is "quiet" with the player training well.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Manchester United will not stop their signings when Raphael Varane completes his move to Manchester United.
The Daily Mail are reporting that United are keen on making a move for Sevilla star Jules Kounde, a player they have been linked with continuously over the course of the last year.
The 22-year-old Frenchman has a buyout clause of £68.5million and is one of the hottest young properties in world football.
With Eric Bailly reportedly being allowed to leave and Axel Tuanzebe set to go out on loan, more reinforcements may be needed at the back with Jules Kounde fitting the bill perfectly.
MANCHESTER MEDICAL
Raphael Varane is set to undergo his Manchester United medical within the next 48 hours according to reports.
A £42.7million deal with bonuses has been agreed between United and Real Madrid ahead of the 28-year-old defender's move.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has tweeted that the deal will be complete "within a matter of hours or days."
GIVEN THE AXE
With Raphael Varane edging ever-closer to a move to Manchester United, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is happy to let Axel Tuanzabe leave the club.
According to the Telegraph, the Red Devils boss is happy with his defensive options should Varane put pen to paper, paving the way for Tuanzebe to leave.
The 23-year-old defender is attracting interest from the North-East, with Steve Bruce reportedly keen on bringing Tuanzebe to Newcastle.
A loan deal is more likely than a permanent transfer due with the Magpies short of cash, but Steve Bruce knows Tuanzebe well having worked with him during a previous loan spell at Aston Villa.
YOUNG GUNS
Manchester United have handed whizkid strikers Joe Hugill and Charlie McNeill long-term contracts - with ex-Newcastle keeper Paul Woolston signing on for another year, as IAN TUCKEY reports.
Hugill is with United's first team at a training camp in Surrey, having come on as a sub against Derby and QPR last season.
TRAINING PICS
The hard work continues at Carrington as the Red Devils prepare for the 2021/22 season.
After a 4-2 friendly defeat to QPR on Saturday the Red Devils return to action on Wednesday as they take on newly promoted Brentford at Old Trafford in another friendly.
MASTERPLAN
Could Manchester United offering Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a new contract be part of a bigger masterplan to sign Erling Haaland?
Solskjaer recently penned a new deal at United keeping him at the club until 2024, despite a trophy-less two-and-a-half year spell at Old Trafford.
And with both Solskjaer and Haaland being Norwegian and having worked together at Molde, Trevor Sinclair believes the new contract may be part of a plan to lure Haaland to Old Trafford.
Haaland has been linked with a player-plus-cash swap with Anthony Martial, and also has a £68million buyout clause which becomes active next season.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Sinclair said: "When you hear little sound bites of Haaland saying ‘maybe play again with you soon’ and that relationship with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, is that why Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been given this contract at Manchester United?
"If he [Haaland] is going to stay at Borussia Dortmund this season and then allowed to leave for his buyout clause next season, would Ole, who has got a good relationship with Haaland, be in the main seat?"