Man Utd Transfer News LIVE updates: Neymar U-turn last summer, Serge Aurier not wanted

MANCHESTER UNITED TRANSFER NEWS LIVE UPDATES: GARETH BALE, IVAN PERISIC AND USAIN BOLT LATEST

Wednesday August 2

The Clamped United…

17:10: That's a shame.

There's been picture of Manchester United's team bus being clamped ahead of their pre-season clash at the Aviva Stadium tonight.

The Red Devils are scheduled to play Sampdoria, and it looked like they would have some difficulty getting there.

However, it appears the gentleman in the picture is only holding the clamp over the wheel for a funny photo.

He's certainly succeeded in his mission!

Pochettino concedes transfer woe

15:45: Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has admits his club can’t compete with Manchester United in the transfer market.

Pochettino explained: “Our fans know that we are not a club today that can compete with Manchester United and Man City for a player.

“We cannot fight them. We work in a different way.”

Aurier no-go

14:25: Manchester United are NOT interested in signing Paris Saint-Germain star Serge Aurier.

Reports claimed United had agreed a £27m fee for the Ivory Coast international despite his ban on entering the UK.

Aurier was found guilty of assaulting a police officer outside a Paris nightclub in September last year.

And Sky Sports say United do not want to sign Aurier.

Big things expected at Man Utd

13:16: Manchester United’s three big signings - in both senses of the word - have ensured Jose Mourinho has scaled new heights.

They are all comfortably over six feet tall, with Nemanja Matic standing at 6ft 4in, Romelu Lukaku 6ft 3in and Victor Lindelof 6ft 2in.

Their arrivals take the average height of United's players to around 6ft 1in - meaning they now have the second-tallest squad in the Premier League.

New man Matic could make debut

12:45: Nemanja Matic could make his Manchester United debut in tonight's friendly against Sampdoria (7.45pm).

The new £40m signing from Chelsea has been included in Jose Mourinho's squad for the game in Dublin.

Despite indicating he is not match fit, having trained alone away from the Chelsea squad prior to his move, Matic may feature at the Aviva Stadium.  

Perisic blow

11:15: Manchester United risk missing out on signing Ivan Perisic with Inter Milan prepared to sell Antonio Candreva to Chelsea.

Italian outlet Mediaset Premium claim Inter will only part with one of their wingers and they are more willing to sell Candreva than Perisic.

Candreva is a prime target for Chelsea with Antonio Conte hopeful of adding an attacking player with Champions League experience.

News of Inter's desire to sell the 30-year-old to Chelsea will be of bad news for United's pursuit of Perisic and they will need to act quickly if they want to avoid missing out on him.

Neymar was agreed last year before U-turn

10:15: Neymar agreed personal terms with Manchester United last summer - only for the Barcelona superstar to have a late change of heart, according to stunning claims in France.

United were apparently ready to pay the Brazilian’s £170million buy-out clause at the time.

However, according to L’Equipe, a deal for Neymar collapsed at the last minute when he eventually decided against the move to stay at Barcelona.

It is said Neymar’s representatives had agreed terms with United, but the potential switch was never made public.

While Barcelona managed to keep hold of the forward a year ago, they now face the prospect of him leaving for PSG.

Martial ready to join Inter

09:00: Anthony Martial has already agreed to leave Manchester United for Inter Milan amid talk of a transfer for Ivan Perisic.

The Serie A side are holding out for around £48million and want Martial on loan as part of any potential deal.

Jose Mourinho does not entertain the idea of losing the Frenchman and United remain confident they can wrap up a deal for Perisic without having to part with one of their players.

Italian publication Calcio Mercato claim Martial would be open to a fresh start in Italy and Inter already have his word that he would join them.

ICYMI Bolt reckons he’s gonna join United

08:03: Usain Bolt thinks Jose Mourinho will sign him for Manchester United… but only on transfer deadline day.

Bolt is a huge United fan and has repeatedly spoken about becoming a footballer when he retires after the World Championships in London.

"Everyone knows I'm always talking about [playing] football, I'm waiting on a call from Mourinho," Bolt said.

"I think he's waiting until the last day [of the transfer window]."

Sometimes we can’t tell if he’s joking…

Matic move was thanks from Chelsea - Irwin

07:55: Chelsea allowed Nemanja Matic join Manchester United as a ‘thank you’ for contributing to their title wins, says Denis Irwin.

“I was a little bit surprised by the fact Chelsea are selling to their rivals who will be challenging for the Premier League next year,” Irwin told talkSPORT.

“But Matic has done a fantastic job for Chelsea over the last few years and I suppose it was a bit of a thank you [to let him join United].

“Manchester United have got a tremendous player, a tremendous holding player, and they’ve needed somebody of that ilk.

“I think it’s a very good signing.”

Gareth Bale threatening Real Madrid exit

05:00: Reports in Spain are saying Gareth Bale is threatening to leave Real Madrid for Manchester United.

Diario Gol claim the Wales international is concerned about game time at the Bernabeu.

And, should manager Zinedine Zidane fail to play him regularly, Bale wants a move to Old Trafford.

Sergio Romero speaks out ahead of Sampdoria clash

04:00: Meanwhile, away from transfer news, Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio Romero has spoken out ahead of the club's match with former club Sampdoria.

“I played for Sampdoria for four years and it was four incredible years of my life,” the goalkeeper told MUTV.

“Where, until this day, I have a lot of friends in Genoa, which is the city, and, in the club, the doctor and the manager, who handles all the team logistics, he's a great friend of mine.

“I also have team-mates who played with me while I was there and who are still great friends. In general, my wife and daughters have lived four fantastic years where we have left a lot of great friends.

“They are a club with a lot of history. It's a club that has won titles in Italy and that has a great fan base. The stadium, Marassi, is an incredible stadium when Sampdoria play at home.

“I have amazing memories of my games there, of the fans packing the stadium, supporting and chanting since the first minute so that Sampdoria win. I think that, if they continue on the same line they've been on in the last years, we will surely soon see Sampdoria in a Europa League competition.”

Nemanja Matic tipped to be a Manchester United hit

03:00: Manchester United legend Denis Irwin thinks Nemanja Matic will blossom at Old Trafford.

“Matic is a player United have needed for quite a while,” he said.

“He’s experienced, he’s not an ‘all-singing, all-dancing’ player but he keeps it simple and does his job.

“He knows the Premier League, having won the title twice in the last three seasons at Chelsea, and he knows how Jose Mourinho wants him and the team to play.

“He’s also a signing designed to let Pogba off the leash a little bit. In pre-season Pogba has looked good and has been given a free role.

“He scored nine last season but he hit the woodwork so many times. I think he is going to be a big player for United this season and will chip in with more goals. He should be capable of double-figures.”

Manchester United signing Lukaku better than Chelsea and Arsenal landing Morata and Lacazette

01:00: Arsenal legend Perry Groves thinks Manchester United signing Romelu Lukaku will prove himself to be a better signing than Chelsea and Arsenal forwards Alvaro Morata and Alexandre Lacazette.

"Lukaku is only 24, he gets better with every season he plays and has proven Premier League experience compared to the other two," he told bwin. 

"He's playing with better players and will have more goalscoring opportunities. 

"The knock against him has been that he can't do it in the big games but to be honest, with no disrespect to Everton, in the big games they had less of the ball and less opportunities for Lukaku. 

"Now he's playing for a big club, he'll score in more big games because United will win more big games. If United win the league, £75m is nothing."

Tuesday August 1

Aurier fee agreed

22:04: Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign Serge Aurier for £27m.

However, the right-back still needs to be allowed into the UK.

The Mirror claim a deal is all but wrapped up for the Ivorian.

However, Aurier was found guilty of assaulting a police officer in Paris last year and is banned from entering the UK.

Last season he could not play against Arsenal in the Champions League because of the ban.

Perisic deal worry

20:33: Manchester United face an uphill battle to sign Ivan Perisic as Inter Milan consider selling Antonio Candreva to Chelsea.

Italian broadcaster Mediaset Premium claim Inter may have to sell one of their star wingers.

Manager Luciano Spalletti says he wants to keep the pair.

But if Inter are to offload one of them then it will be Candreva sacrificed.

Chelsea want to sign Candreva and Inter believe they have a replacement lined up in Keita Balde Diao.

Were Candreva to be offloaded then that would end any chance of United securing Perisic.

Neville wants two more players

20:14: Phil Neville wants Manchester United to sign up to two more players this summer.

Discussing United’s chances of winning titles this season, the former midfielder told Sky Sports: "United need to strengthen, but they all do - quite a bit.

"Even the champions (Chelsea) need to if they're to repeat what they did last season.

“You're not just talking about winning the Premier League title, you're talking about competing in Europe.

“English clubs have been well short in the last few seasons. All big clubs want to be winning Champions Leagues.

"That won't happen unless they significantly improve. United need to sign four or five players."

United have spent £130m on three new players already this summer.

Gomes to United?

20.00: Manchester are favourites to sign Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes, according to bookmakers BetStars.

“Jose Mourinho seems to have set his sights on signing fellow countryman Andre Gomes from Barcelona this summer in a bid to bolster his attacking options ahead of the start of the new season," BetStars Director Ian Marmion said.

"The 23-year-old struggled to make an impact in his debut season at the Nou Camp last term and the Catalans are reportedly willing to let the young midfielder go, which has put the Red Devils on high alert.

"United currently lead the chase to land the Portugal international at 3/1, ahead of rivals Chelsea at 7/1, while Valencia are priced at 14/1 to make a move for their former protege.”

Neville questions Chelsea

19:29: Gary Neville has questioned Chelsea’s decision to sell Nemanja Matic to Manchester United.

United bought Matic for £40m yesterday, reuniting the player with former boss Jose Mourinho.

And while Neville believes United have got a good deal in landing the 29-year-old, he can’t see why Chelsea agreed to get rid of him.

"Michael Carrick’s obviously got one more year but he can’t play every single week so they’ve got to have that player come in and do the same job," he told Sky Sports. "I believe Nemanja Matic can do that.

"United need a holding midfield player. Schneiderlin was let go earlier this year, Schweinsteiger didn’t get a game. There needed to be a replacement in there and ultimately I think Matic will fit the bill.

"It’s a strange one for Chelsea to let him go because I thought he was good for them with Kante and I think they need to strengthen.

"So I’m not sure why he’s been let go so they must have replacements in hand."

Watford want Timothy Fosu-Mensah

17:20: Watford have enquired about taking Manchester United full-back Timothy Fosu-Mensah on loan, according to the Daily Mail.

The Vicarage Road club are looking to bolster their defensive options and have asked about taking Fosu-Mensah on a season-long loan.

The Red Devils are yet to decide on the 19-year-old's future and will respond after next week's Uefa Super Cup clash with Real Madrid.

Dendoncker contact made

17:00: Manchester United have enquired about Anderlecht midfielder Leander Dendoncker, reports claim.

The 22-year-old impressed during Anderlecht’s Europa League quarter-final against Jose Mourinho’s side.

And he could find himself a permanent fixture at Old Trafford in the future.

The Manchester Evening News claim United have extensively scouted Dendoncker, and spoke with his representatives earlier this summer.

The report continues to add that NO deal will be completed this summer due to the arrival of Nemanja Matic.

De Gea's birthday message

15:30: David De Gea has welcomed Manchester United’s new signing Nemanja Matic to the club.

On a post on Twitter, he wrote: “Welcome to the @ManUtd family and happy b'day Nemanja Matic!”

Matic turns 29 today, a day after completing his £40m move from Chelsea to United.

Mourinho in contact with Roberto

15:00: Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is in regular contact with Barcelona star Sergi Roberto over a proposed transfer. 

Spanish publication Diario Gol claim Roberto won't settle for a place on the bench if they land a marquee signing.

Roberto is considering his options and is aware of interest from United, having been in contact with Mourinho.

Old Trafford could well be a possible destination with Roberto a long-term admirer of the Portuguese boss, but Mourinho would need to guarantee he'd be a regular starter to convince him to join.

Roberto has asked Mourinho where he would fit into his plans before he makes a decision on his future.

Matic wages compared to Manchester United team-mates

13:34: Nemanja Matic has been handed a bumper contract at Manchester United, placing him among the club's top earners.

Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku lead the way but Matic's deal has eclipsed plenty of key stars at Old Trafford.

To reveal United stars' weekly wages compared to their latest signing, click here.

Inter struggling to find Perisic replacement

13:10: Manchester United's delay in completing a deal for Ivan Perisic is due to Inter Milan being unable to find his replacement. 

Perisic is keen to link up with Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford but Inter are yet to sanction his exit.

Reports have suggested the Serie A side are preparing to offer him a new and improved contract in a bid to convince him to stay.

But ESPN say United don't believe Inter are keen to keep hold of him and instead are struggling to find an adequate replacement and that is proving to be the main stumbling block in them wrapping up a deal for Perisic.

Chelsea fans angry over Matic tweet

Mata and Herrera contract updates

11:00: Manchester United are confident Juan Mata and Ander Herrera will sign new deals with the club.

Both players are out of contract at the end of next season but the Red Devils have the option to trigger one-year extensions that will keep them at Old Trafford until 2019.

However, ESPN claim United are hoping to negotiate long-term contracts for the pair.

Man Utd eye Gomes

09:30: Manchester United are keeping tabs on Andre Gomes with his Barcelona future uncertain.

Barca are keen to raise funds this summer and Spanish publication Marca claim  Gomes is the player the board are considering selling in order to do so.

And with Gomes' future in doubt, The Sun claim United could take advantage of the situation by offer him a way out.

Mourinho is thought to be a big fan of the former Valencia star and is monitoring developments.

Five-year Aurier deal at Man Utd

08:10: Serge Aurier has reportedly agreed to a five-year contract with Manchester United as he looks set to leave Paris Saint-Germain.

Reports have suggested United will pay PSG a fee of £22million for the 24-year-old.

And according to French outlet Paris United, Aurier is ready to pen a five-year deal with United.

It is said he will earn an annual salary of between £4m and £4.5m.

That would potentially see him on wages of up to £87,000 a week.

Matic will not make the difference

08:00: Manchester United will not win the Premier League title this season even with the signing of Nemanja Matic, according to Steve Nicol.

When asked if the £40m arrival makes United title favourites, Nicol told ESPN FC: “I don’t think it is no. I think no question they get in the top four.

“But the fact is that for me City are ahead of this team, Chelsea the defending champions are ahead and Spurs, you can’t count them out.

“So Man United definitely top four but one of the favourites for the Premier League? I don’t think so.”

United to join forces with TINDER??

07:50: Forget transfers, United are all about dating now with the club in talks with Tinder.

The Daily Mail say United have had sponsorship discussions with the online dating service.

Tinder are said to be interested in becoming United's sleeve sponsor - a new commercial opportunity for Premier League clubs from the upcoming season.

Nine clubs, including United's rivals Chelsea and Manchester City, have signed sleeve deals but none for anywhere near near the £12m-a-year that Silicon Valley company Tinder are offering.

Terry tops Lukaku

05:30: Dean Saunders thinks Romelu Lukaku joining Manchester United is NOT the deal of the summer...because John Terry's move to Aston Villa outdoes it. 

“Forget Lukaku going to Manchester United – Villa signing John Terry on a free is the deal of the summer," he told the Daily Star.

“It’s a bigger signing. It’s the best signing. If I was the manager of any of the top six in the Premier, I would have signed him.”

“For me, that just shows you what must have been said behind the scenes by Steve and the owners to get him.

Fabinho before Matic claim

05:15: Manchester United tried to sign Fabinho before settling for Monaco's Nemanja Matic.

That is according to journalist Adam Joseph.

"Various sources confirming that Manchester United were in fact pushing to sign Fabinho but Monaco made a deal very difficult," he said on Twitter.

"MUFC moved on."

Matic on Mourinho

04:50: Nemanja Matic has admitted he is excited to play for Manchester United at Old Trafford.

“I am delighted to have joined Manchester United. To work with Jose Mourinho once again was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down,” he said.

“I have enjoyed my time at Chelsea and would like to thank the club and the fans for their support. I cannot wait to meet my new team-mates and to start training with them.

“This is a very exciting time for the club and I am looking forward to playing my part in creating more history for this great club.”

United want Bale transfer request

04:30: Manchester United want Gareth Bale to publicly demand a move away from Real Madrid.

Spanish outlet Don Balon say the Red Devils are willing to bide their time before making a move.

But, before they bid, they are demanding he go public and say he wants to leave the Spanish giants.

Express Sport understands United will offer Real £90million... but not until next summer. 

Hello Man Utd fans!

04:10: Good morning and welcome to Express Sport's LIVE Manchester United transfer blog.

Nemanja Matic has become the Red Devils' latest signing, joining Romelu Lukaku and Victor Lindelof at Old Trafford.

However, there are updates on talk of moves for Monaco's Fabinho and Real Madrid's Gareth Bale. 

So stay tuned for all the latest.