MANCHESTER UNITED HAVE no intention of selling Anthony Martial this summer as Raphael Varane edges closer to joining his compatriot at Old Trafford.
The 25-year-old forward swapped Monaco for Manchester in 2015 and has scored 78 goals in 258 appearances, with his current deal running until 2024 with the option of a further year.
Serie A champions Inter Milan have been linked with a £50million (€59m) swoop as Romelu Lukaku prepares to head to Chelsea, but the PA news agency understands that United are not planning to sell Martial.
Saturday’s 4-0 friendly win against Everton marked the forward’s first minutes since sustaining a knee injury in March on international duty with France.
Varane was an unused substitute that night and will soon be a team-mate of Martial at United, with the World Cup winner finalising his move from Real Madrid once his medical is complete.
Personal terms have been agreed on a four-year deal with the option of a further season, with the transfer reportedly worth £34m (€40m) rising to £42m (€49m).
England winger Jadon Sancho, another long-standing target, trained at United for the first time on Monday since completing his £73m (€86m) move from Borussia Dortmund last month.
The noises out of Old Trafford suggest further acquisitions would be dependent on summer sales, with boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last week admitting any more business would be a “bonus” having signed the pair and Tom Heaton.
Rennes teenager Eduardo Camavinga is among those admired by United, who have an inflated squad heading into Saturday’s Premier League opener against Leeds.
Jesse Lingard, who has tested positive for Covid-19, continues to be linked with a move away.
Having impressed on loan at West Ham in the second half of last season, Leicester is the latest potential destination mentioned for the home-grown attacking midfielder.
Phil Jones is recovering from a lengthy lay-off and Andreas Pereira’s role remains unclear after spending 2020-21 on loan with Lazio, but Diogo Dalot looks to have played his way into Solskjaer’s thoughts for the coming campaign.
The 22-year-old was at AC Milan last term and has impressed since returning from Euro 2020 with Portugal, seemingly putting paid to United’s move for Kieran Trippier. Atletico Madrid’s asking price has always been a stumbling block.
Axel Tuanzebe (Aston Villa), Facundo Pellistri (Alavés) and Tahith Chong (Birmingham City) are among those to have headed out on loan, while talk of Brandon Williams following suit continues to rumble on.
Ethan Laird is understood to be closing in on a loan switch to Swansea, where he would link up again with Russell Martin having managed him at MK Dons last term.
Dylan Levitt and Ethan Galbraith are others likely to make temporary exits.
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Would be great for the league of Ireland if they progresed
FH looked an average loi team who got a goal against the run of play last week. We were the better team but they might have been keeping it tight.. but if they play like they did last wed and we play like we can then we will advance.. i firmly believe we will score tonight. Garts is a massive loss in the centre of defence but barrett is a good replacement… we are playing FH for €1.2m and a guaranteed 4 more games minimum in Europe.
Who’s we ?!
“We”… Are Ireland’s number one. The Black & White army.
Not doubting you. They really are Ireland’s number 1. Just asked for the craic because my uncle always mocks me when I use ‘we’ when talking about cork city lol
Massive game for Fundalk given the money at stake , great for the town and club . Really well run club these days with a super manager leading the team. Cmon da town !!
Get the name right pal. They’re fun to watch but I wouldn’t go that far
Says the plastic Irish supporter. Take down that Irish cover photo please if your not willing to support your own Irish league.
I’m supporting them no doubt.
Disappointed there isn’t a LIVE ticker thread for this game. It’s only the champions of Ireland playing in the world’s most lucrative competition. RTE not broadcasting it is a disgrace. And they claim to be supporters of domestic football. (Yes I know it’s on Eir Sport).
Dundalk playing some nice football here, they’ve been the better team so far, unlucky to be behind. Horgan & McMillan are doing very well. They’re just lacking a bit of composure in the final third.
Still nothing up about the match tonight disgraceful from the 42
And still nothing. Surely a live ticker wasn’t beyond them. They are the champions of Ireland and our only representatives in champions league. Fair dues to Eir for covering it, super game and even better performance from Dundalk.