Man Utd Transfer News LIVE updates: Ibrahimovic deal in 24 hours; Perisic, Martial latest

Manchester United Transfer News LIVE updates: Latest on Ivan Perisic, Antoine Griezmann and Danny Rose

Tuesday August 15

Mkhitaryan hails signings

10:28: Henrikh Mkhitaryan has hailed Manchester United's new signings Nemanja Matic, Romelu Lukaku and Victor Lindelof.

When asked about Matic's display against West Ham, Mkhitaryan said: "It was not only Matic. I want to mention as well the other two new signings, Lindelof and Lukaku.

"They are very good players. They are, I think, Manchester United players. Matic does a big job on the pitch. He tries to recover all the balls. He defensively does a big job.

"Lukaku scored his goals and Lindelof is still going to have time to show himself. So I want to say all the players are good signings and they are going to help us a lot."

Martial urged to snub Inter

09:30: Anthony Martial should stay and fight for his place at Manchester United and not move to Inter Milan, says Emmanuel Petit.

"Manchester United, they are building a team to play for the title this year," he told SFR Sport.

"They will play the Champions League, he (Martial) will have playing time and the competitions will be long until the end of the year. 

"So going to Inter which is under reconstruction, there are a lot of uncertainties at this level there. 

"It's a risk to take but I think he has the qualities to claim to play more at Manchester United.

"Whether it is on the left side or even in the centre, he has already shown that he has the instinct of a scorer."

ICYMI transfer deadline changing?

07:00: Premier League clubs will discuss proposals to move the transfer deadline to BEFORE the start of the season in future.

The current transfer window closes in England at the end of August, meaning distraction and disruption for clubs once the domestic season starts in earnest.

Transfer sagas involving the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Ross Barkley have dragged on this summer and could go right up untl deadline day.

But representatives from the 20 Premier League clubs are to attend ­September’s shareholders’ meeting with the majority pushing for a new transfer deadline to be introduced.

It will be proposed that the ­deadline is brought forward to the week before the start of the 2018-19 Premier League season, with almost all of the 20 clubs understood to be behind the idea.

The move would only affect buying players not selling, meaning current deals for the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Diego Costa could still go through.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic return

05:00: Zlatan Ibrahimovic is reportedly set to return to Manchester United within the next 24 hours.

The 35-year-old's serious knee injury sustained in April saw Manchester United not take up the option to extend his deal.

However, Ibrahimovic is quickly working his way back to fitness.

And according to The Sun, Ibrahimovic is expected back at Carrington as early as tomorrow.

A United source told The Sun: “Zlatan will be coming back to resume his rehab from his knee operation very shortly.

“He’s been told to calm it down a bit, but that’s just not what he’s like, he’s so determined.”

Victor Lindelof approach

02:30: Victor Lindelof may have a prolonged absence from the Manchester United first team, according to reports.

Victor Lindelof was left out of the match-day squad yesterday for Manchester United’s 4-0 win over West Ham.

Last season, United signed Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Borussia Dortmund.

There were concerns at the time over his physique and his ability to adapt to the Premier League.

Mourinho took time to integrate the Armenian into the squad, but he flourished in the second half of the season.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Mourinho will take the same approach with Lindelof as he did with Mkhitaryan.

Monday August 14

Martial's Inter Milan snub

23:30 Anthony Martial is not interested in joining Inter Milan.

Martial has been linked with a move to Italy.

A switch to Inter was supposedly part of a proposal to bring Ivan Perisic to Manchester United.

That Perisic deal is now off the table but Inter remain keen on Martial.

However, BeIn Sports claim the Frenchman is not keen on a move to the San Siro.

Matic backlash

16:01: Ray Wilkins is fuming Manchester United were able to buy Nemanja Matic from Chelsea.

Matic impressed on his competitive debut for United in the 4-0 win over West Ham on Sunday.

And Wilkins told talkSPORT Chelsea’s shouldn’t have sold to their rivals.

“The level of performance is surprising. When you stick one guy in the middle of the midfield and allows so many people just to go and do their own job,” he said.

“What an amazing impact that was yesterday from Nemanja Matic.

“I am a Chelsea supporter, I buy my season tickets at Chelsea, and I want to know whose educated decision that was to sell Nemanja Matic to Manchester United for £40million because it certainly wasn’t Antonio Conte's.

“As a Chelsea supporter, I want to know who made that decision.”

Sergi Roberto development

14:30: Manchester United are willing to match Sergi Roberto's release clause if the midfielder pushes for the Barcelona exit door.

Sergi Roberto is reportedly unsettled at Barcelona and is unhappy with the arrival of former Tottenham midfielder Paulinho.

The 25-year-old feels his opportunities in the starting XI will be few and far between this season, leading to speculation he could leave.

Spanish outlet Don Balon claim the Barca youth player has a release clause of £36.5million - a bargain in the current climate.

And Manchester United will reportedly have no issue matching it if he puts the wheels in motion to leave the Nou Camp.

Fabinho still looking to leave

13:45: Manchester United’s lingering hopes of signing Monaco star Fabinho have been boosted today.

The Red Devils were expected to wrap up a deal for the French international earlier in the summer, but Monaco didn’t want to lose more of their title-winning side.

However, Fabinho has reiterated his desire to leave.

He said: “I feel good, there is nothing to say about my situation, the club knows my will. I hope we will continue this way and that Monaco will still be okay.”

Second Martial bid - claim

12:45: Tottenham are planning a second approach for Manchester United star Anthony Martial.

French broadcaster RMC Sport claimed that United had rejected Spurs’ initial bid over the weekend.

But fresh reports claim a second bid is in the pipeline.

TMW suggest Martial, 21, is still thinking of leaving Old Trafford and that has encouraged Mauricio Pochettino’s side to follow up their interest.

Shaw to shine at Old Trafford

11:45: Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw is determined to shine this season.

The defender, who’s been a long-term absentee, has been on the receiving end of sharp criticism from Jose Mourinho in the past, with his attitude questioned.

But the 22-year-old wants to put that all behind him and is targeting silverware at Old Trafford.

"It's a very big season for me. It's one I'm looking forward to because it's a big challenge for me, especially given the past few seasons have been up and down," he told Nissan Super Sunday ahead of their clash with West Ham live on Sky Sports.

"Obviously I had the broken leg but the injury I got at the end of last season was kind of unlucky. Hopefully I can put all that behind me now. Hopefully this is my season and I can prove people wrong.

"I want to prove it to myself too because I wouldn't have come here if I didn't think I'd be able to play here. I believe in myself. The manager believes in me as well and that's given me a big confidence boost. I'm really looking forward to getting started again."

Chelsea hijack Perisic swoop

11:00: Chelsea are weighing up a move for Inter Milan winger and Manchester United target Ivan Perisic.

Express Sport understands Chelsea are looking to splash around £130m before the window shuts on August 31 with owner Roman Abramovich hoping to keep Conte happy.

And Conte has his eye on Inter star Perisic.

The Italian boss saw first hand what the 28-year-old is all about when he scored against his side in pre-season in Singapore.

The Mirror claim Conte is now considering making a late move for the Croatia international after being impressed by his display.

News of Chelsea's interest in the winger will cause concern among Manchester United's camp though.

Jose Mourinho is also on the lookout for a wide player and United have been in talks with Inter over Perisic for months.

Barkley’s £30k pay-cut

10:10: Everton midfielder Ross Barkley is ready to accept a significant pay-cut to join Tottenham.

Barkley, 23, has been told he can leave Goodison Park by manager Ronald Koeman after refusing to sign a new £100,000 a-week contract.

And The Sun claim that he’s willing to take a £70,000-a-week deal instead to join Mauricio Pochettino in North London.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United were previously linked with the England international, but its Spurs who remain front-runners.

Danny Rose will NOT be sold

09:20: Danny Rose will not be sold despite his public criticism of Tottenham.

Rose stunned Spurs by giving an interview to a national newspaper last week where he hit out at the club.

The 27-year-old suggested among other things that he could be ready to quit Tottenham, insisting he will return home to the north at some point in his career. 

Rose has been linked with Manchester United and Chelsea but neither club have yet made an offer.

And the Daily Mail claim Tottenham will not sell Rose during the summer transfer window.

The window slams shut at 11pm on August 31, giving the former Leeds man just over two weeks if he does want to seal a move.

Roberto wants out

08:15: Frustrated Barcelona star Sergi Roberto is prepared to force a move away from the Nou Camp, reports claim.

Manchester United and Chelsea have been linked with the versatile winger, who was aggravated to see Gerard Deulofeu start ahead of him during last night’s 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid.

Spanish website Don Balon claim Roberto, 25, is unhappy with manager Ernesto Valverde and believes he’ll be more appreciated in the Premier League.

United close to striker deal

07:35: Manchester United are reportedly close to announcing a deal for teenage striker Bruno Amorim.

The 19-year-old has been having a trial with United's Under-23 squad.

And according to the Daily Mail, Amorim will join from Oliveirense.

He will stay in the Under-23s for the meantime.

Gary Neville's winger plea

05:30: Gary Neville insists Manchester United are still missing a world-class winger to have the 'complete squad'.

Jose Mourinho has already spent close to £150million on Nemanja Matic, Romelu Lukaku and Victor Lindelof.

And Neville is convinced that a winger is the missing piece of the jigsaw for the Red Devils, as it is not Marcus Rashford's favoured position.

"Is Rashford a wide player - not really?," Neville told Sky Sports.

"That is where United could get one world class winger and it would be a complete squad."

Sunday August 13

Neville's Matic shock

21:45: Gary Neville says he can't believe Chelsea gifted Nemanja Matic to Manchester United.

"You cannot believe Chelsea have given Mourinho a piece of the jigsaw in Matic," he said. 

"I can't think of one reason why Chelsea sold him.

"United beat Chelsea to Lukaku and then Chelsea have handed them Matic. They look like the type of players that were needed to correct what was wrong last season, and Chelsea have helped them and had a big influence on that."

Mourinho on Matic

20:00: Jose Mourinho has admitted his surprise at Chelsea letting Nemanja Matic join Manchester United.

He said: "It depends on what was happening behind the doors [at Chelsea]. I bought him to Stamford Bridge years ago as he has special qualities.

"I always thought he’d be a perfect player for us. I never thought it was possible – until his agent told me he could have him, you just have to pay. He’s a player our team needs.” 

Neville shocked at Hernandez transfer

18.00: Gary Neville was shocked and saddened when Javier Hernandez left Manchester United - he revealed ahead of his return to Old Trafford with West Ham today.

Hernandez lined up in Manchester again at the start of the Premier League season, for his new side.

And Neville believes he should have stayed at United longer and says he was saddened when he was shipped out by Louis van Gaal.

“He’s an instinctive, fantastic finisher,” Neville said on Sky Sports. 

“I was shocked and saddened when he left Man Utd. It didn’t need to happen. Especially when you think about the real lack of goals they had after.”

Neville questions Lukaku

15:40: Gary Neville admits he has question marks about summer signing Romelu Lukaku.

“My question marks over him having watched him for the last couple of years are in big matches at sometimes I don’t think he has done enough,” Neville said on Sky Sports.

“You could argue Everton don’t get the service into him, and also which is important is work-rate and work ethic.

“There is a school of thought that he should conserve his energy for the important bits which are further up the pitch.”

Gary Neville expects

13.35: Manchester United must win the Premier League this season after spending nearly £150million on new signings this summer.

That is the view of former Manchester United right-back and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville.

Jose Mourinho led the Red Devils to a disappointing sixth in the league last season but qualified for the Champions League by winning the Europa League.

The additions of Romelu Lukaku, Victor Lindelof and Nemanja Matic in the transfer window means the Portuguese boss has spent near enough £300million since being appointed last summer.

Ahead of this afternoon’s season opener against West Ham at Old Trafford, Neville has piled the pressure on his former side by saying finishing fourth would not be good enough.

“You can’t just drop your expectation because they haven’t won it for a couple of years,” Neville said.

“They have to win the league. Mourinho has to win the league here.

Ibra warned to slow down

12.05: Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been warned to slow down by doctors as he eyes a return to football this year.

Ibrahimovic was released by Manchester United this summer after a knee injury ended his season early.

He missed United’s Europa League victory and the final games of the Premier League season.

The superstar Swede was initially ruled out until January but now looks on course to be fit by December.

Jose Mourinho revealed he’d held talks over giving the 35-year-old another contract in January if he can prove his fitness.

But the Sun report that Ibrahimovic has been told to ease up his rehab after fears he is overdoing his work in the gym.

American specialists are believed to think he needs to slow down to avoid further complications.

Ibrahimovic has taken a week off - where he was spotted diving off a yacht in the south of France with agent Mino Raiola.

Perisic happy at Inter

10.40: Manchester United target Ivan Perisic is determined to stay at Inter Milan this summer, according to Luciano Spalletti.

United have been linked with a move for Perisic for weeks but are yet to reach an agreement with Inter.

And the Italian side's manager Luciano Spalletti has claimed the winger now has no intention of leaving the San Siro.

"Perisic is determined to remain," Spalletti told reporters following Inter's 1-0 win over Real Betis.

"He spoke like a player who wants to do well and be professional."

Real end De Gea pursuit

10.00: Real Madrid have admitted defeat in their bid to sign Manchester United David De Gea for this season at least.

The Spanish international has been a target for Real since 2015 and they were expected to make a move to sign him before the end of the month.

But Express Sport understands that De Gea has pledged his future to the United for this season at least and says that he has got no intention of returning to the Spanish capital.

Chiesa deal setback

09.00: Manchester United face an uphil battle to sign Fiorentina winger Federico Chiesa.

The Red Devils have emerged as candidates for the 19-year-old winger, along with Premier League rivals Chelsea.

However, Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb claim Fiorentina are hoping to quell speculation by offering the teenager a new deal.

His current contract runs until June 2021.

Huge Antoine Griezmann claim from Spain

06:00: Antoine Griezmann to Manchester United is never going to die, is it?

Spanish outlet Don Balon claims there is still a chance the France international could join the Red Devils. 

It is said he is concerned at the state of Atletico Madrid's squad given their failure to seal a January deal for Chelsea striker Diego Costa.

And he has told Diego Simeone he will consider an offer from United if Jan Oblak is allowed to join Paris Saint-Germain. 

Ivan Perisic signing may be imminent

05:40: Ivan Perisic could FINALLY sign for Manchester United, reports claim.

The Sunday Mirror says the Red Devils are on the verge of paying the £48million that Inter Milan have been demanding.

Ed Woodward supposedly held encouraging talks with the player's agent, Fami Ramadini, and is now set to resurrect the deal.

In case you have been without internet for the past three months, United appeared close to landing him in June before negotiations hit a snag. 

Jose Mourinho discusses Manchester United target Danny Rose

05:20: Manchester United continue to be linked with a move for Tottenham defender Danny Rose.

But Jose Mourinho insists THAT interview is not down to him.

"I should not comment because Mauricio would not be happy if I comment, Mr Levy would not be happy if I comment and because I had nothing to do with that interview," he said.

"I just read it the way you did, I just read but Danny Rose is a Spurs player and it is not my problem at all."

Welcome to Express Sport's Manchester United transfer blog

05:00: Good morning and welcome to Express Sport's LIVE Manchester United transfer blog.

Despite facing West Ham in their Premier League opener this afternoon, Jose Mourinho is eying more reinforcements.

There is a huge update on Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic.

And there is also a shock claim regarding Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann. So stay tuned.