United resume training Louis Van Gaal
Louis Van Gaal

Louis Van Gaal

LONDON. – Manchester United report back for pre-season training today with only one new signing so far. But they are ready to press the button on a spectacular transfer spree that could see Sergio Ramos, Morgan Schniederlin, Seamus Coleman and Edinson Cavani join Memphis Depay in the arrivals lounge at Old Trafford.

Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has around £150 million burning a hole in his pocket but is locked in negotiations trying to get deals over the line, not least with old foes Real Madrid.

United insist they believe their £28,6 million bid for Real’s iconic 29-year-old centre-back is a fair and realistic one, and cite the example of Brazilian Thiago Silva, who was 28 and of similar stature and experience to Ramos, when he moved to Paris Saint-Germain from AC Milan for around £30 million in 2012.

Ramos insists he is not using United to lever a new and improved contract out of Real and genuinely wants to move to Old Trafford. But Real seem unlikely to sanction a move while United continue to dig their heels in over David De Gea.

They have rejected Real’s £15 million offer and say they are looking for double that amount for a goalkeeper who has developed into one of the world’s best in the four years since he moved from Atletico Madrid for £18 million.

United are even prepared for the possibility of keeping De Gea – who has rejected the offer of a £200 000-a-week new deal – for the final year of his contract and losing him on a free next summer if Real fail to improve their offer.

De Gea had reportedly said his farewells to many people at Old Trafford at the end of last season in anticipation of his move to the Bernabeu being completed, but now faces the embarrassment of reporting back for pre-season training next week – he will start a week later because of his international duty with Spain.

Two other Real players have been on United’s radar but Gareth Bale has made it clear he wants to stay at the Bernabeu, despite his problems there last season, while Karim Benzema is understood to be uninterested in a move to the Premier League.

With Louis Van Gaal’s first-choice defensive midfield target Bastian Schweinsteiger deciding to stay put at Bayern Munich, United are expected to finalise a deal for Schneiderlin, although they are still haggling with Southampton over a fee.

The France international is desperate to move to Old Trafford and achieve his ambition of playing Champions League football but Saints boss Ronald Koeman says United have yet to make a “serious” offer and are holding out for a £25 million fee, plus add-ons.

United’s interest in Coleman goes back to Sir Alex Ferguson’s time in charge when the young Irishman first broke into Everton’s first team. And it is understood they have revived their interest and are ready to tempt the Merseyside club with a £15 million bid.

Finding a top quality striker is proving United’s biggest problem. With Benzema seemingly out of the equation and Tottenham insisting Harry Kane is not for sale, United will continue to monitor Cavani’s situation at PSG where he had his problems with Laurent Blanc last season. — The Daily Express.

 

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