Breaking news: Man United signs Mason Mount, De Gea leaves as free agent, while bid from Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim accepted
In today’s Manchester United transfer news: Erik ten Hag’s attempts to scam Chelsea out of their prized possession, an update on David de Gea and much more.
Click here for yesterday’s Manchester United transfer news.
Manchester United transfer news: David de Gea is likely to leave
It has taken a long time, but this summer could be the transfer window in which David de Gea actually leaves Old Trafford. De Gea, who has been linked with a departure numerous times before, has had a successful spell at United and could make way for a younger goalkeeper this summer.
According to The Mirror, Erik ten Hag’s attempts to extend De Gea’s current contract look “bleak” so the general consensus is that United will prepare for life without the long-serving number one next season. Manchester United transfer news – More competition for Romeo Lavia
Manchester United are one of the clubs Romeo Lavia would like to get out of relegated Southampton. The teenager is Saints’ best signing and has been mothballed with a departure because he is too good to play in the second tier of English football.
However, according to the Daily Mail, Arsenal have joined the race to sign Romeo Lavia, expanding Erik ten Hag’s league pool.
Manchester United transfer news: A bid for Mason Mount is expected
After their already failed attempts, Manchester United are planning to make another bid for Mason Mount in the coming days. Fabrizio Romano has reported this alongside Erik ten Hag’s plans to cut Chelsea’s asking price by £70m, meaning he is confident he can lower this asking price significantly. Manchester United are ready to make another offer for Mason Mount in the coming days. 🚨🔴 #MUFC
That was their plan after the opening bid for a £40m fee was rejected and that remains the plan now.
Chelsea are pushing for a £70m deal, but Manchester United think they can find a way to reach an agreement. pic.twitter.com/KH8vJoNp6p
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 16, 2023
What do you think of today’s Manchester United transfer news?
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MLS manager reacts to league ‘bypass rules’ for Inter Miami to sign Lionel Messi
The signing of Lionel Messi is likely to have a huge impact on the sport’s popularity in the United States and his star power will bring MLS to a whole new audience.
Longtime MLS manager Bruce Arena has expressed his joy at Lionel Messi’s imminent arrival in MLS and praised the league for adjusting the contract rules to facilitate the deal.
The Argentine icon is set to join Inter Miami from Paris Saint-Germain this summer in a signing that is already the biggest in US sports history. No transfer has captured the imagination of the American public since David Beckham’s move to LA Galaxy in 2007.
Since then, it has also emerged that all MLS clubs contributed to Messi’s contract offer before his move, as his arrival appears to have been a joint effort. The deal hasn’t been without complications, however, as Inter Miami already have the maximum of three Designated Players (DP) on their roster at the moment. As it stands, Gregore, Rodolfo Pizarro and Leonardo Campana are registered as club exceptions to MLS’s current salary cap restrictions as part of what has been dubbed the ‘Beckham rule’. Essentially, every MLS player on the regular roster can earn wages of around $651,250 (£513,179), with designated players cleared to earn higher wages.
While Inter Miami therefore find themselves in a difficult situation ahead of the upcoming MLS transfer window, the veteran coach Arena has praised the league for being forgiving. For him, even if the South Beach club had three DPs plus Messi, the benefits of bringing in a player with the quality and star power of a World Cup winner outweigh those concerns.
He said: “I think it’s great to bring Lionel Messi into our league and whatever they can do – if they already had [the maximum] three DPs [designated players] and they brought him in – I could live with that. It’s good for our championship.”
“I don’t know what it is, but the rules are respected. The league doesn’t do anything special for Miami. What’s special is that [David] Beckham was able to bring Messi to his club and they are working on him for a few years.”
He added: “I think even though he turns 36 this month, he will have a huge impact on this team and this city in the league. And it has to be good.”
With the MLS transfer window opening on July 4, it’s possible that some of Inter Miami’s currently designated players will be moved on to make way for Messi. Alternatively, they could renegotiate with one of these players to bring their salary below the cap, freeing up another DP slot.
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Takeover of Man Utd: Sheikh Jassim “in pole position” while Ferdinand relies on Qatari claims
Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is reportedly in pole position to become the new owner of Manchester United this summer. A new update supports Rio Ferdinand’s bold claims that sent Red Devils fans into a frenzy earlier this week as the takeover saga neared its end.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe was previously widely regarded as the favorite to take control of Old Trafford after his bid allowed Joel and Avram Glazer to retain minority stakes.
However, Sheikh Jassim’s improved fifth offer, delivered with a take-it-or-leave-it attitude, bucked the tide.
The momentum behind the Qatari businessman is building, with Reuters saying it is in talks to enter a period of exclusivity with the Glazers, which would move closer to finalizing a deal. And Faisal Islam, BBC Sport’s economics editor, has confirmed that Sheikh Jassim is the candidate for the driver’s seat.
He said: “Qatar is ahead. Qatar is in pole position. If nothing happens now, if a break is called, we think the Qataris would win.”
On Thursday, Ferdinand dropped an explosive story on his YouTube channel saying he had heard a Qatari takeover was imminent.
The iconic defender has built a reputation for picking up big news about United after being the first to let the cat out of the bag for Cristiano Ronaldo’s sensational return in 2021. “Manchester United’s takeover is imminent. We’ve heard that Qatar’s offer is the offer that takes over, it’s the offer that is accepted and it’s the offer that succeeds,” Ferdinand told FIVE.
“Hallelujah man, we can’t wait. Please let this happen. Please let it be true. Look how long it’s been like this
“The Glazers came out strong and obviously want to be the highest bidder.
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