After a disastrous start to their Premier League season, Manchester United appear hellbent on turning their fortunes around for good with another world class signing.
The Red Devils signed five-time Champions League winner Casemiro from Real Madrid last week, which was their fourth signing under new manager Erik ten Hag – but aren’t done yet.
According to reports, winger Antony is set to complete a move to Manchester United from Dutch powerhouse Ajax on a record fee for the Eredivisie.
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Meanwhile, with the transfer deadline rapidly approaching, Cristiano Ronaldo may still leave the club after being linked with a Premier League rival once again.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has been heavily linked with a transfer away from Old Trafford after United failed to qualify for the Champions League last season – finishing 35 points behind champions Manchester City.
But Ronaldo isn’t the only superstar who has dominated the headlines for what feels like forever, with midfielder Frenkie de Jong having been linked with major transfers away from Barcelona.
While United were reportedly the front runners for quite a while, both Chelsea and Liverpool emerged as potential suitors, although a decision has apparently been made.
Here’s all the latest news and gossip in the latest edition of our Rumor Mill!
UNITED MAKE A STATEMENT
Manchester United shocked the football world at the start of their Premier League campaign, losing to Brighton at Old Trafford.
But things went from bad to worse for the Red Devils, who were emphatically beaten 4-0 by Premier League minnows Brentford just a week later.
A 2-1 win over rivals Liverpool saw the decorated English club rise from the bottom of the Premier League ladder, and they now occupy eighth position after a 1-0 win over Southampton on Saturday (AEST).
Fans caught a glimpse of star signing Casemiro who was subbed on with 10 minutes to play, but the Brazilian will soon be joined by one of his countrymen at the club in the coming days.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has reported that Antony will move to complete a move to England, with a deal having been agreed for a fee of €100 million ($144m AUD).
Romano believes that the contract will be signed tomorrow, and said that it is a record fee for the Dutch league.
RONALDO LINKED WITH PL RIVALS
Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has been pushing for a transfer at the end of last term after United’s failure to qualify for this season’s Champions League.
But according to The Independent, the Portugal international could potentially trade our United’s famous red jersey for navy blue, and line up for Premier League rivals Chelsea this season.
Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes has reportedly visited Chelsea to find out whether a potential deal could be reached over his star client.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag insists he wants Cristiano Ronaldo to stay at Old Trafford despite leaving out the unsettled star for a second successive Premier League game.
Ronaldo started on the bench for United’s 1-0 win at Southampton on Saturday before making a largely anonymous substitute appearance in the second half.
But Ronaldo has found it impossible to attract one of Europe’s top clubs, with the latest reports linking him with the likes of his former team Sporting Lisbon, as well as Napoli and Marseilles.
With Thursday’s transfer deadline looming, United remain adamant the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is not for sale in the second season of his second spell with the club.
But the sight of Ronaldo stopping to salute the United fans after the final whistle at St Mary’s convinced some observers that the 37-year-old was preparing to say farewell.
The former Real Madrid and Juventus star finished as United’s top scorer last season, but Ten Hag’s team have looked more threatening with him, beating both Liverpool and Southampton since he was dropped after starting in the humiliating 4-0 loss at Brentford.
Publicly at least, Ten Hag is sticking by Ronaldo, saying: “We played with him. So we want him to stay. That is what we want. I hope so.”
United have been linked with several forwards who could potentially replace Ronaldo, including Ajax star Anthony, who played under Ten Hag during his reign at the Dutch club.
However, Ten Hag reiterated he would be satisfied even if United were not able to sign another central striker this week.
“We have Cristiano Ronaldo, we have Anthony Martial, we have Marcus Rashford, so then we are OK,” he said.
Ten Hag has already landed Brazil midfielder Casemiro, who made his debut as a late substitute against Southampton after completing his transfer from Real Madrid on Monday.
Ten Hag was pleased to get him involved as he looks to revamp United’s underwhelming central midfield.
“I think it was quite good for him to see what the Premier League is (like), its different style,” Ten Hag said.
“He has played some games, he played one hour 90 minutes, but he is fit, he had a good pre-season with a lot of training sessions.
“Now we have to integrate him in a team, in a way of play, and integrate him with his teammates.”
CHELSEA WEIGH UP THEIR OPTIONS
Chelsea are reportedly interested in a number of players, including Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha, although a former Arsenal captain remains at the top of their wish list.
According to two The Guardianthe Blues are considering bringing the Ivory Coast international to Stamford Bridge, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is their top target.
The former Arsenal captain could complete a sensational return to England with London rivals Chelsea, although it was reported earlier this month that he is happy in Spain.
DE JONG GETS HIS WISH
After months of speculation, Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong will reportedly remain at the club.
CBS Sportsunderstands that the Netherlands international is “expected” to stay with the Spanish giants, with United having given up on securing a deal.
Previously, Barcelona president Joan Laporta had insisted that he wanted de Jong to remain at the club.
“Frenkie’s our player and we want him to stay at Barcelona, he wants to stay too,” Laporta said.
“With him and his teammates, we have a very powerful midfield. He has offers, but we want him to stay.”
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