Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho in constant talks with Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti

Manchester United attempt to sign Samuel Umtiti from Barcelona

Manchester United’s efforts to sign a central defender this summer are very much on the move, according to a report from Catalan newspaper Sport this morning.

Jose Mourinho has been calling Samuel Umtiti on a regular basis to try and convince him to sign for Manchester United.

Umtiti, who is enjoying an excellent season at Barcelona, is playing both sides of the equation and could well sign a new contract at the Camp Nou.

The front page of Sport on Friday morning

The front page of Sport on Friday morning

Samuel Umtiti has two options

Sport confirm that whether Samuel Umtiti stays at Barcelona next season is a “great unknown”.

Manchester United tried to sign the French centre back in the January window. The Red Devils are willing to pay Umtiti’s release clause of 60 million euros.

According to reports in Spain, Manchester United would pay Umtiti nine million euros per season. The French defender is currently on four million euros a year at the La Liga giants.

Meetings have been held by Samuel Umtiti’s brother and representative Yannick Umtiti with Manchester United.

In addition, Manchester United regularly have scouts at Barcelona matches watching Umtiti.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 15: Paul Pogba of Manchester United reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Stoke City at Old Trafford on January 15, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Pogba & Martial also trying to convince Umtiti

Besides the regular calls from Jose Mourinho, Sport also reveal that French international team mates Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial are also trying to convince Umtiti to join Manchester United.

Umtiti meanwhile, has informed Barcelona of the salary increase offered by Manchester United.

This comes just a year and a half after Umtiti signed for Barcelona from Lyon for 25 million euros.

Were Umtiti to receive nine million euros per season, he would be one of the best paid players at Barcelona.

The La Liga leaders are keen to tie down Umtiti before the World Cup to a new contract as they fear his current market value will increase at Russia 2018.

Intriguingly, Sport add that Jose Mourinho has no qualms about calling up Barcelona players. Something Pep Guardiola would never do, despite being a former coach of the La Liga giants.

Read more: https://www.101greatgoals.com/news/transfers/manchester-united-boss-jose-mourinho-samuel-umtiti/

What Neymar told former Barcelona teammates before PSG's Champions League exit

There are many who accused Neymar of chasing the cash when he decided to leave Barcelona to join Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

At Barcelona he was guaranteed major trophies and the chance to win the Champions League every season. As PSG showed this week, they’re still some way off Europe’s elite sides.

But it was also thought that Neymar wanted to exit Lionel Messi’s shadow at the Camp Nou; to become the centrepiece of a side he could carry to Champions League glory.

And, in a way, he’s done that. Neymar has been fantastic for PSG.

Having overcome some early teething problems with Edinson Cavani, the 26-year-old has netted 28 goals in all competitions for Unai Emery’s side.

Read more: http://www.givemesport.com/1271595-what-neymar-told-former-barcelona-teammates-before-psgs-champions-league-exit?autoplay=on

Manchester United to take advantage of PSG’s European woes by signing £88m superstar

Manchester United could be set to sign PSG star Marco Verratti during the summer as the player is reconsidering his future with the French giants after being eliminated during the last-16 stage of the Champions League by Real Madrid this week. (Don Balon h/t Teamtalk)

Jose Mourinho has always been a fan of the Italian but he has always seemingly been out of reach and even rejected the advances of Barcelona last summer so that he could remain in France.

PSG signalled their intentions to be a major force in Europe this season by spending more than £350million in order to sign Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.

However, despite their heavy spending, they have once again failed to launch a serious challenge for Europe’s elite competition and they have done nothing to remove their tag of under-achievers which many people believe that they are.

Mourinho is desperate to strengthen our midfield during the summer given that Michael Carrick is set to retire while the futures of Paul Pogba, Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera are all the subject of speculation.

Verratti is a quality midfielder who will add quality to our side and it now appears that Mourinho could offer him an exit from his European misery.

Verratti’s frustrations were on display on Tuesday night during the second leg of his sides’ Champions League last-16 clash against Madrid as he went on to receive a red-card at the Parc des Princes and it now appears that he is exploring the possibility of leaving PSG.

He is also managed by Mino Raiola who helped engineer the moves of Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the past.

PSG reportedly value Verratti at around £88million but reports from France suggest that they could ask us to include Anthony Martial in a deal which will see the 25-year-old Verratti arrive at Old Trafford in the summer.

But if any deal includes Martial, Mourinho will simply rule out as he cannot afford to lose our star Frenchman. Yes, we need quality midfielders in summer and Verratti ideally fits the bill to play in the Premier League.

The Italian is a stylish midfielder, keeps the ability to dictate the tempo of the game from the base of midfield. We need to fill in Carrick’s boot at the end of the season and there could be no better midfielder than Verratti to do that.

Read more: http://weallfollowunited.com/2018/03/09/manchester-united-to-take-advantage-of-psgs-european-woes-by-signing-88m-superstar/

Match Report: Paris Saint Germain 1 – Real Madrid 2: Los Blancos Go Through

Real Madrid have advanced to the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions League after comfortably seeing off the threat of French champions Paris Saint Germain on Tuesday  evening. The Parc des Princes was silenced after Los Blancos secured a 2-1 success on the night, and a 5-2 success on aggregate.

Cristiano Ronaldo continued his excellent form from the first leg, as he scored the opening goal here too. His two goals at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg were crucial in Real Madrid’s progression and he made sure he shined brightly on the big stage yet again.

PSG really made it difficult for themselves by having strong tackling midfielder Marco Verratti sent off for 2 bookable offences. Zinedine Zidane seemed to win the tactical battle too, leaving Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Gareth Bale on the bench, instead using a counter-attacking game plan.

Ronaldo opened the scoring on 51 minutes after a boring first half, netting his 12th goal in this season’s Champions League. An error from Dani Alves allowed Lucas Vasquez to cross and find Ronaldo who headed home. Then came Verratti’s sending off, though PSG did equalise after that. Edinson Cavani scored a lucky equaliser when a clearance bounced off him and into the net.

PSG’s hopes were ended soon after though as Real scored a scrappy goal of their own. Casemiro’s effort hit PSG defender Marquinhos and went in, as Real secured their place in the next round.

Los Blancos could actually have won by more on the night, as the woodwork was hit twice. Marco Asensio was one of the best players on the pitch and was unlucky not to score, while Vazquez hit the post from a Gareth Bale cut back.

The draw for the quarter finals takes place on Friday 16th March at 11:00 GMT from the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

Read more: http://www.realmadridnews.com/match-report-paris-saint-germain-1-real-madrid-2-los-blancos-go-through-27735?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+realmadridnewscom+%28Realmadridnews.com%29

Betis target Genk's Sander Berge

Real Betis are preparing to sign Genk midfielder and Norwegian international Sander Berge, according to reports in the Spanish press.

The 20-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Sevilla last summer but a report in Estadio Deportivo now states he has ‘moved up to the top of the agenda at Betis’.

The report states Betis are closing in on securing free transfers for Espanyol goalkeeper and Eibar midfielder Takashi Inui, leaving ‘a sizable’ transfer budget for contracted players.

Genk reportedly want in excess of €10m having signed the Norwegian from Valerenga from €2m in January 2017 and could ask for as much as €15m.

However, Los Verdiblancos are said to be willing to make an offer of instalments and add-on clauses which the Belgian club would be willing to accept.

Read more: https://www.football-espana.net/70365/betis-target-genks-sander-berge

Barca unclear on Iniesta injury

Barcelona have refused to put a timescale on captain Andres Iniesta’s return to action and he may miss the Champions League clash with Chelsea.

Iniesta lasted just 34 minutes of Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash at Camp Nou, and Barca’s official website immediately confirmed the presence of “a hamstring injury in his right leg”.

Catalunya Radio then claimed the problem could keep the midfielder out for as long as a month, explaining “everything points to a small tear” and he is yet to return to training.

The last statement from the Catalan club, who usually disclose timetabled returns, said ‘Andres will return to action upon his return to fitness’.

If the worst fears come true, the 33-year-old will miss Barca’s upcoming games against Malaga, Athletic Bilbao, Sevilla in La Liga, as well as the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Chelsea and Spain’s friendlies against Germany and Argentina on March 23 and 27.

Read more: https://www.football-espana.net/70362/barca-unclear-iniesta-injury

Madrid challenge Juventus for Can?

Real Madrid are trying to beat Juventus to the signing of Liverpool’s Emre Can, reports suggest.

The German international will be a free agent after June 30, and is widely expected to join the Bianconeri when his deal with the Reds expires.

Despite that there has so far been no announcement of a pre-contract deal, and the midfielder has said there’s no agreement “with any club”.

This morning’s Gazzetta dello Sport has looked in to the situation, and states that the contract on offer from Juve isn’t the issue.

The Old Lady is offering €5m per season, plus bonuses, and agent Reza Fazeli has no intention of trying to start a bidding war.

However, there is interest from Real Madrid, and that’s what is thought to be holding up the deal.

While Can is still favourable to a move to Turin, but his entourage have asked for time to consider the offer from Madrid.

As a result, Juventus are keeping their options open and are keeping an eye on Roma’s Lorenzo Pellegrini, who can leave for €25m in July, or €30m if he manages 25 Serie A appearances this season. 

Read more: https://www.football-italia.net/118213/madrid-challenge-juventus-can