We’re still waiting for all that hype that entered this summer transfer window at Manchester United to actually be realized, but at least they have signed two new players, which is more that what many teams have done.
Hopefully, there will be more signings to talk about between now and when the season starts. United are currently on their preseason tour in Australia, with their first friendly coming on Saturday. With all this in mind, here are some of the top trending transfer narratives in the Manchester United online community today.
It had looked like Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff was set to become the third United signing of the summer, but that might not be the case now, as Old Trafford has reportedly been hit with an astronomical price tag for the 21-year-old.
Ed Woodward, United’s executive vice-chairman, is understood to have contacted Lee Charnley, the Newcastle managing director, on Saturday to enquire about Longstaff only to be told he will cost £50m.
That figure is way over double what the Manchester club are prepared to pay for Longstaff, who value the youngster at between £18m and £20m.
Supposedly, the Magpies’ valuation is based upon what United paid for Crystal Palace right back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, their second signing of the summer.
Elsewhere, Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina has made it known that there is no turning back for him now- he wants out of the south coast club.
The Gabon international has been linked to United, City and Arsenal.
“There is no turning back. I’m not afraid, I made a choice and I take it to the end,” Lemina said to France Football.
“I aspire to play in the biggest clubs, now we will see what is proposed. I had chosen to leave Juventus for Southampton to have more playing time, I got it.
“I made a good impression in England, I had good returns at a certain time, so I hope clubs will not have a short memory. I stand by my plan, I decided to tell the leaders that I wanted to leave, there is no turning back.
“There is a risk, of course, but I know what I’m capable of, I’m 100 per cent and I’m going to prove that I can get back to my best. Some clubs may be more cautious, but they already know me.”
“Today, I am fully recovered, I worked a lot. I am ready to move on.”
Squawka has more at this link.
Finally, FC Barcelona have beaten United, as well as just about everybody else, to the signature of English wonder-kid Louie Barry, whose rights had previously belonged to West Bromwich Albion, until they expired last month.
The 16-year-old has drawn the eye of Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Juventus among others. (but other than that, who was interested?)
??? Louie Barry has joined FC Barcelona. ?? The 16-year-old English striker, signed from West Bromwich Albion, will play for the Under-19s A team.
? Welcome to Barça, Louie!#FCBMasia #ForçaBarça?? pic.twitter.com/DcrpqFXw3d
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 11, 2019
Barry will now play for Barca’s Under 19 A-team. The Catalan club reportedly beat PSG to the Barry acquisition in the eleventh hour.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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