MANCHESTER UNITED are on the verge of completing the £84m signing of Antony, SunSport can reveal.
The Red Devils are believed to have met Ajax's eye-watering asking price to sign the winger, writes Ken Lawrence.
The Brazilian's representatives are now reportedly staying in England until the end of the transfer window to push through a deal.
Meanwhile Marseille President Pablo Longoria has poured cold water on the club's prospects of signing Cristiano Ronaldo.
And United are said to be ready to go back in for Sergino Dest of Barcelona, as they look for a right-back to replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
The Dutch-American, who worked with Erik ten Hag at Ajax, is said to consider Old Trafford to be a dream move.
Get all the latest transfer news from around the world.
- IN: Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro
- OUT: Paul Pogba (released), Juan Mata (released), Jesse Lingard (released), Nemanja Matic (Roma), Edinson Cavani (released), Lee Grant (released), D'Mani Mellor (released), Reece Devine (released), Paul McShane (released), Connor Stanley (released), Paul Woolston (released)
- EVERY Premier League done deal this summer
- Sam Dymond
Keeper Dubravka nearing loan switch
Manchester United's move for Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka is understood to be a loan with an option to buy.
Fabrizio Romano reports that the Red Devils have asked the St James' Park club to take the Slovakian stopper for an initial 12 months to act as back-up for David de Gea.
United also want to include a clause to make the move permanent next year for a fee of £5m.
The Magpies are now deciding whether to accept the proposal.
- Sam Dymond
Casemiro: I'm raring to go
Casemiro has spoken publicly for the first time since completing his move to Manchester United, and insists that he can't wait to get started.
The 30-year-old midfielder had admitted he feels like a teenager such is his excitement to be playing at his new club in the Premier League.
There's no doubt that I'm really excited. I've been very warmly welcomed and already felt that special affection from everyone towards me. It's a new challenge, I'm absolutely delighted. I feel like I'm 20 or 18 years of age, I'm raring to go. I'm excited to be amongst my teammates and playing in the stadium. It's just huge excitement.
Casemiromanutd.com
- Sam Dymond
United move for Madrid's Marco
Manchester United are to make €30m bid for Real Madrid's Marco Asensio, according to reports in Spain.
Relevo understand that the Red Devils will submit an official offer for the 26-year-old forward in the coming days.
Old Trafford officials are keen on the Spanish international, who supposedly was mentioned during the club's negotiations with Real for Casemiro.
It is believed that Asensio would be open to the move although whether the LaLiga giants would sanction it remains to be seen.
Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti is said to see the player as a part of his long-term plans at the Bernabeu.
- Sam Dymond
Casemiro cleared to face Saints
New Manchester United signing Casemiro has successfully received a work permit to play in England.
The 30-year-old Brazilian is now able to train with his teammates, and is eligible to face Southampton at St Mary's on Saturday lunchtime.
The midfielder was officially unveiled in a United kit for the first time this morning, having made his £60m move from Real Madrid.
Credit: manutd.com - Sam Dymond
Antony's fine time at Ajax
Manchester United target Antony is being fined €50k by Ajax for every day he doesn't turn up to training, according to Dutch journalist Gerjan Hamstelaar.
The Brazilian winger had stayed away from his club earlier this week in order to push through his move to Old Trafford.
However, after learning of the financial punishment, the 22-year-old reported for duty yesterday afternoon.
United are expected to submit a new offer for Antony before the weekend, believed to be in the region of £80m.
- Sam Dymond
De Jong transfer takes twist
Bored of the Frenkie de Jong transfer saga yet? Well, here's something that we've not heard during these past three months.
Futbol Total are reporting that Liverpool have now made an offer for the Dutch midfielder.
It seems highly unlikely, but the defeat at Manchester United on Monday did highlight just how short Jurgen Klopp's team currently are in midfield.
However, other media outlets in Spain believe that De Jong will remain at Barcelona this season.
- Sam Dymond
Trapp rejects 'world top club'
Manchester United's pursuit of goalkeeper Kevin Trapp did not last long on this Thursday.
No sooner had their interest been publicly confirmed, the Eintracht Frankfurt number one shut down the transfer talk.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the 32-year-old wishes to stay with his club in the Bundesliga.
Trapp is quoted as saying: "I received a written proposal from Manchester United – world top club.
"Yesterday, I informed those responsible at both clubs that I had decided stay at Eintracht Frankfurt."
- Sam Dymond
United closing in on keeper
Manchester United are close to bringing in an experienced goalkeeper to act as understudy to David de Gea.
Reports yesterday revealed that the Red Devils had been in serious talks with Newcastle over a move for Martin Dubravka.
The 33-year-old Slovakian stopper was left out of Eddie Howe's squad for Wednesday's Carabao Cup tie at Tranmere.
However, United have also shown an interest in Eintracht Frankfurt's Kevin Trapp.
And German outlet Sport1 insist that the 32-year-old keeper has been personally recommended to Erik ten Hag's men by Sir Alex Ferguson.
- Sam Dymond
Blues may turn to Maguire
Chelsea have once again been linked with a shock swoop for Manchester United’s Harry Maguire.
The Evening Standard report that the Blues will make an approach for the England international if they fail to land Leicester’s Wesley Fofana.
The Stamford Bridge outfit have this week had a third bid for the French defender rejected.
Ironically, the Foxes are demanding a fee equivalent to the world record £80m that United paid them for Maguire in 2019.
Maguire was dropped by the Red Devils for Monday night’s win over Liverpool.
- Kealan Hughes
Good morning Man Utd fans
Eric Bailly has completed a loan move to French side Marseille.
And if he helps the French giants qualify for the Champions League the move will become permanent in an £8.4million deal.
Bailly joins former United team-mate Alexis Sanchez in the south of France after he sealed a free transfer from Inter.
Meanwhile United will host Aston Villa in an all-Prem clash during the Carabao Cup third round.
And Bayern Munich chief Hasan Salihamidzic revealed the club's board voted AGAINST signing Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United.
The legendary forward has been pushing for a move away from Old Trafford this summer following the club's failure to qualify for the Champions League.
Salihamidzic told BILD's Phrasenmäher podcast: "When you now see how our attack is equipped – even without Robert Lewandowski – it's just difficult from a sporting and financial point of view.
"We have eight players for four positions upfront. We have established top players who are in the prime of their footballing age.
"We have talent that we want to give playing time too, so we all voted to go through with our plan.
"So that (signing Ronaldo) was out of question for us. We are very happy with how we're equipped."
- Jack Figg
Cup for it
Chelsea will travel to Manchester City in the pick of the Carabao Cup third round ties.
Elsewhere, Liverpool will host League One Derby County, with Manchester United at home to Aston Villa in an all-Prem clash.
The Red Devils' date with Steven Gerrard and Co is one of seven all-Prem ties.
These include Tottenham's trip to Nottingham Forest and Arsenal's Emirates clash with Brighton.
- Jack Figg
Eur in luck
Thursday’s Champions League group-stage draw in Istanbul will only bring home to fans just how much a test of strength even only the FIRST half of the campaign is going to be.
Tottenham’s return to the Euro elite will have a major knock-on effect for N17 finances while Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City have all been finalists over the past two years.
But with surprise Prem pace-setters Arsenal, as well as Manchester United, having to wait an extra 24 hours before discovering their Europa League schedule, all of England’s Big Six — plus potentially West Ham — will be plunged into a fixture list like they have never known.
The winter World Cup means that the domestic campaign will be split in two, with 16 Prem games by November 13 – a six-week break – and then 22 more matches from Boxing Day.
Yet it has also forced Uefa to redraw its normal timetable, meaning an unprecedented programme from the start of next month.
The six Champions League group games – starting on September 6 – will be compressed into just 57 days, six midweeks out of nine.
Two of the other midweek slots are taken up by the lone international break before the World Cup, when England must take a minimum of four points from matches with Italy and Germany to have any chance of avoiding Nations League relegation.
With boss Gareth Southgate looking to fine-tune his Qatar preparations, there is not much chance of players being rested.
And the ‘spare’ dates, October 18-20? A chance for respite, possibly?Nope. That has a full Prem fixture programme, including Liverpool hosting West Ham, Manchester United against Spurs at Old Trafford and City’s visit to Arsenal.
And between the weekend before the start of Europe, when Arsenal travel to United, to the one after it is over – with Spurs playing Liverpool and Arsenal at Chelsea – there will be 12 Big Six Prem clashes.
- Jack Figg
Sambuca
Samuel Umtiti is reportedly set for a loan move to Italian minnows Lecce.
The defender is out of favour at the Barcelona after several injury-plagued seasons.
And Fabrizio Romano claims Umtiti is now on the verge of a move to Serie A with newly-promoted side Lecce.
Last season’s Serie B champions have endured an awful start to the new campaign.
They were first knocked out of the Coppa Italia by Cittadella before losing league games to Inter Milan and Sassuolo.
And club chiefs hope Umtiti will be the man to revive their fortunes as he prepares to undergo a medical this week.
Chelsea, Arsenal and Man Utd have all been linked with the Frenchman before but non of the Premier League trio made an approach for him.
Credit: Reuters - Jack Figg
ICYMI
Bruno slammed for ‘antisocial behaviour’
Man Utd star Bruno Fernandes has been slammed for his behaviour during his side’s win over Liverpool.
The Portuguese midfielder refused to give the ball back to Liverpool after Mohamed Salah’s goal, delaying the restart.
And he was also booked by referee Michael Oliver for diving.
It angered former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino who told The Times: “Fernandes takes antisocial behaviour on the pitch to a whole new level, and it all feels so cynical, and so premeditated.
“We’ve all seen players do this before, but Fernandes must have set a new record for how long he held on to the ball.
“It was as clear a yellow card for ungentlemanly conduct as you will ever see, but Oliver appeared unprepared to show it, presumably on the basis it would mean sending Fernandes off.
“His gamesmanship is getting out of control, and Oliver’s strange reluctance to send him off on Monday will only encourage Fernandes to behave even worse in the future.”
Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd - Jack Figg
On the Case
Manchester United chiefs are beefing up security around their new star signing Casemiro.
SunSport can reveal Casemiro will have round-the-clock protection after arriving in England to start his Premier League career.
A source said: “This transfer may have come about quite quickly but bosses at United have been working around the clock to make sure everything’s in place to help their new man settle in quickly.
“He will initially stay in a hotel but the club are already helping him try to line up properties in the area.
"The club are also making sure he has security in place from the moment he touches down in the country and for when he finds his own place.
“A lot of foreign stars don’t appreciate the scale of the threats and risk that come from criminals targeting them off the field.
"United are leaving nothing to chance and making sure their new star signing gets all the protection he needs”
Credit: Reuters
- Jack Figg
Cal up
Chelsea are close to loaning Callum Hudson-Odoi to Bayer Leverkusen, according to reports.
The winger, 21, has found game time difficult to come by at Stamford Bridge and is yet to make an appearance this season.
Chelsea are also keen to bolster their wide options with the additions of Anthony Gordon and Rafael Leao, making Hudson-Odoi surplus to requirements.
The youngster is close to completing a season-long loan to Bayer Leverkusen, with his representatives in advanced talks with the German club, report Sky Sports News.
Newcastle and United have also shown an interest in the England under-21 international but his £100,000 salary has proved a sticking point.
Hudson-Odoi was subject to a bid from Bayern Munich two years ago but now looks set to move to the Bundesliga after all – despite signing a new contract when Chelsea rejected the German champions.
Credit: Getty - Jack Figg
Bail-ed out
Eric Bailly has completed a loan move to French side Marseille.
And if he helps the French giants qualify for the Champions League the move will become permanent in an £8.4million deal.
It is an exciting signing for Marseille, who finished in second last season and have already started this Ligue 1 campaign with two wins and a draw.
Bailly, 29, joins former United team-mate Alexis Sanchez in the south of France after he sealed a free transfer from Inter.
And he will also be team-mates with Matteo Guendouzi whose been signed from Arsenal along with Gunners loanee Nuno Tavares.
Ivory Coast centre-back Bailly joined the Red Devils back in 2016 from Villarreal for £34.2 million.
- Jack Figg
It's not Ron
Cristiano Ronaldo has been slammed by Paul Ince for his recent attitude at Manchester United.
Ince told BoyleSports: "Cristiano Ronaldo has to leave Man United.
"If he was in the Man United dressing room when I was playing with the likes of Roy Keane and Steve Bruce, we wouldn't be putting up with him and he wouldn't be getting away with anything.
"Leaving Ronaldo out of the starting 11 yesterday [clash against Liverpool] was so important because it shows people that there can be life without Ronaldo.
"He's been a distraction for everyone at Man United.
"He hasn't had the desired effect that everyone thought he would and you wouldn't see Lionel Messi acting the way he has at times."
- Jack Figg
Bast is yet to come
Bastian Schweinsteiger admits he was NOT impressed with Manchester United’s win over Liverpool.
Schweinsteiger explained: “You know of course I support United and I’m very happy they won.
“But was it a great performance in my opinion if I compare it with other teams, the top teams in Europe? I wouldn’t say so.
“For me, Liverpool was the better team actually and they had much more possession in the game.
“But you know United did one thing really well. They had the right attitude towards the game, the right spirit in the team.
“And in my eyes the supporters have won the match because you know, it could have been different.”
- Jack Figg
Pie chart
The price of pies in the Premier League has been revealed with a newly-promoted side charging more than anyone else.
Just three games into the new season and things such as VAR, referees, the price of pints, and now how much a pie costs have all come into question.
And according to Betting.com, newly promoted Fulham charge the most in the Premier League for a pie.
The Cottagers charge a whopping £4.50, 50p more than second placed Brighton.
Tottenham, Manchester City, Leicester City and Crystal Palace all charge £4.
West Ham, who had many furious furious at £7.30 for a pint, have set a price of £3.90 for a pie.
Manchester United and Arsenal charge the same as the East London side.
Leeds are middle of the pack, with a pie costing £3.80 at Elland Road.
Newcastle and Aston Villa aren't too far behind on £3.60.
Southampton, Chelsea, Brentford and Bournemouth all charge £1 less than Fulham.
- Jack Figg
Kit-astrophe
A Man United fan was left baffled after his new shirt arrived with an ARSENAL collar button.
The Red Devils' home kit has been a big hit with the retro look and collar.
But as one fan inspected his expensive new shirt, one detail left him shocked.
The collar button belonged to rivals Arsenal.
In a TikTok video, the United fan said: "Just doing the checks on my very expensive Manchester United jersey here.
"All looks good. [Adidas badge] Looks good. Collar looks good.
"Aero ready, yeah, perfect.
"Oh wait, oh. [Shows Arsenal button] What the f**k does that say. What the f**k does that say!"
- Jack Figg
Trapp door open
Eintracht Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp opened up on the rumours linking him with Manchester United.
United are looking for an alternative for the team’s No1 David de Gea.
Trapp said: “As I said during my first spell at Frankfurt, it’s always nice when rumours like this come out.
“It’s a nice acknowledgement. But I can’t say anything about it”
Credit: Reuters - Alex Cole
Ten hag demanding respect
Erik ten Hag won the respect of his Manchester United players when he joined them for their gruelling run in the sun.
It helped to unify the Red Devils camp and triggered a huge response in Monday’s thrilling 2-1 win over Liverpool.
And he has told Maguire that he is no longer first choice for United with his captaincy now under threat.
Ten Hag handed the armband to Bruno Fernandes who he said thrived with the extra responsibility.
The Dutchman had told 29-year-old Maguire ahead of the game that there will be rotation among the centre-backs during the season and he cannot be assured of his place every week anymore.
He made the same case for axing Ronaldo up front.
He too is facing a battle to get back in the side as he waits to see if he can get a move out of Old Trafford.
- Alex Cole
Ten Hag running the show
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag joined his players in a 13.8km punishment run after their 4-0 defeat to Brentford.
United stars were ordered to come in on their scheduled day off on August 14 after being humiliated by the Bees less than 24 hours earlier.
Ten Hag ordered his players to run 13.8km in gruelling 33 degree heat – signifying the collective distance further than them that Brentford had covered.
According to The Athletic, the Dutchman mucked in and joined in with his players as they completed the exhausting cardio.
They add that Ten Hag wanted to show “togetherness with his players” – even when punishing them.
His motivation tactic appeared to do the trick on Monday as the Red Devils looked a different side in beating Liverpool 2-1.
- Alex Cole
Man Utd enter the EFL Cup in tonight's draw
The Carabao Cup third round draw will take place tonight – Wednesday, August 24, from 9.45pm BST.
This is following the televised game Tranmere vs Newcastle, which is on Sky Sports.
Look out for ball No18…
- AFC Bournemouth
- Arsenal
- Aston Villa
- Blackburn Rovers
- Brentford
- Burnley
- Charlton Athletic
- Chelsea
- Crawley Town
- Crystal Palace
- Derby County
- Everton
- Gillingham
- Leicester City
- Lincoln City
- Liverpool
- Manchester City
- Manchester United
- MK Dons
- Morecambe
- Newport County
- Nottingham Forest
- Sheffield Wednesday
- Southampton
- Stevenage
- Tottenham Hotspur
- West Ham United
- Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Forest Green Rovers or Brighton & Hove Albion
- Leeds United or Barnsley
- Tranmere Rovers or Newcastle United
- Wycombe Wanderers or Bristol City
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