Man Utd Transfer News Today: Fabrizio Romano on Mbappe, de Jong UPDATE and Sancho FOR SALE
Graham Shaw
- Updated: 15 Jun 2023 19:37 BST
- 6 min read
The race to sign Kylian Mbappe is ON, but Fabrizio Romano has provided a bleak update on the prospects of him arriving at Man Utd any time soon.
The sensational 24-year-old French star put Europe's big guns (at least some of them) on red alert on Monday when he confirmed that he would not extend his contract with PSG, meaning he will be a free agent in the summer of 2024.
PSG have responded by setting down an ultimatum that if Mbappe does not sign a new deal, he will be sold this summer. That had the world's media in a frenzy with Man Utd listed along with Real Madrid and Chelsea as potential bidders.
United could absolutely afford the reported €150m fee if they really wanted to, but it appears there is little chance of it happening according to Romano.
READ: Mbappe hits out at FAKE NEWS over summer transfer
The renowned transfer reporter says the Red Devils have no plans to move for Mbappe due to the complicated ownership situation at Old Trafford.
The Glazers are currently in the midst of a takeover saga with the interested bidders led by British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qatari Sheikh Jassim.
With a sale reportedly close, it seems impossible that the Glazers would want to sanction a huge outlay when they are so close to selling the club.
As it stands, Real Madrid are hot favourites to land Mbappe this summer after coming so close to acquiring the striker in the past.
Frenkie de Jong opens up on Man Utd TRANSFER TALK
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong was linked with a move to Old Trafford throughout the summer of 2022, but eventually decided to stay put at Camp Nou.
There appeared to be hope recently that things might be different this year, with his former Ajax coach Erik Ten Hag already proving that United are now going places under his control.
De Jong though appears to have put a large fork in any ambitions Ten Hag may harbour of prising him away from the Catalan giants in the coming weeks.
When asked by Voetbal International if he would be staying at Barca this summer, he responded: "That has been clear to me, also last summer when things were restless for a while.
"I always knew that I wanted to stay at Barcelona. That's why it wasn't so stressful for me last summer.
"Also, I had just signed a contract extension so I always felt that I was in control and able to decide for myself.
"That's why I didn't bother. I feel good at Barcelona and assume that I will still be playing here next season."
De Jong is expected to take on even more responsibility in the Barcelona midfield next season, following the departure of Sergio Busquets this summer.
MORE: Man Utd and Liverpool target REFUSES to rule out big move
EXCLUSIVE: Jadon Sancho FOR SALE, Aston Villa lead chase
One major Man Utd transfer which has not worked out is that €85m deal to bring Jadon Sancho back to England from Borussia Dortmund.
The talented winger has underwhelmed since arriving at Old Trafford in the summer of 2021, and he is heading for the exit after just two seasons.
According to our sources, Sancho's poor performance in the FA Cup final defeat by Man City was the final straw for Ten Hag, with youngster Alejandro Garnacho by comparison proving a revelation after replacing him.
Aston Villa lead the race to acquire Sancho this summer while reports Tottenham interest for now appear wide of the mark.
United want a fee of €60m to recoup a hefty chunk of their outlay on Sancho, but Villa are unlikely to go to that sort of figure. A compromise though may be found.
All bets are OFF on Kim Min-jae United move
One of the main Ten Hag targets this summer according to widespread reports is Napoli's highly-rated South Korean defender Kim Min-jae.
Speculation that a deal could be close have heightened in recent hours, with Betfair suspending its market on whether the newly-crowned Scudetto winner will make the move to the Premier League this summer.
Anthony Elanga linked with Bundesliga switch
Another United star who could be on the way out this summer is striker Anthony Elanga.
The 21-year-old Swede is reportedly on the market for a fee of around 12m with bidders likely to come from the continent.
Now RB Leipzig midfielder Emil Forsberg says he will sit down with his club president to discuss a potential move for Elanga as he tries to entice his fellow Swede to move to the Bundesliga.
MORE: The seven Man Utd players set to leave on a free transfer
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