Manchester United set for‘bidding war’ with Liverpool over £68m La Liga talent
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Manchester United’s quest for Champions League qualification continues on Sunday afternoon with an unenviable trip to face Manchester City at the Etihad.
The Red Devils dropped points in a 0-0 stalemate against Watford in their last outing, and now know that they could lose their grip on fourth place if Arsenal or Tottenham win both of their games in hand.
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Hide AdRegardless of where United eventually finish this season, however, work is already going on behind the scenes to find a new permanent manager, while a number of new signings are expected to be drafted in over the course of the summer - as well as a few anticipated exits.
Here are the latest transfer rumours doing the rounds at Old Trafford.
Kounde in demand
United continue to be linked with a move for Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde, but are expected to face high-profile competition for his signature.
The French international was heavily touted for a move to Chelsea over the summer, but ultimately stayed in Spain, and is understood to have attracted interest from a number of top clubs in the months since.
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Hide AdAlongside United and the Blues, Fichajes report that Liverpool, Barcelona and Real Madrid are all eager to snap up the 23-year-old, and could look to make moves in the summer.
Sevilla are said to value the defender at around £68 million, with a potential bidding war likely to ensue.
Barcelona want Neves
Midfield reinforcements are likely to be a priority for United this summer, and one player who has been consistently mentioned as a possible target is Wolves talisman Ruben Neves.
The Portuguese international has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for some time, with Arsenal also said to be admirers of the 24-year-old.
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Hide AdBut ultimately, it could be Barcelona who provide the most troublesome competition for his signature.
According to the Daily Mail, the Catalan giants are lining up a summer swoop for the midfielder, with talks involving intermediaries having already taken place.
Despite a positive campaign under Bruno Lage, the report also states that Neves is likely to leave Molineux this summer, despite have two years left on his current contract.
West Ham leading Lingard race
After failing to secure a deadline day move to Newcastle United in January, Jesse Lingard looks set to depart Old Trafford in the summer.
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Hide AdThe 29-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and there has been no indication that he is likely to sign an extension to his current deal.
With that in mind, Claret & Hugh report that West Ham are in the “box seat” to lure the England international back to the London Stadium.
Lingard enjoyed a hugely successful loan spell in East London last season, and it is understood that the Hammers are now confident of wrapping up an agreement that could be valued at around £100,000-a-week.