Man Utd Transfer News Today: Mbappe talks REVEALED, Romano on Mount and Kim Min-jae BOOST
There is major hope for Man Utd fans in the race to sign Kylian Mbappe this morning (Thursday) with the revelation that the club's prospective new owner Sheikh Jassim has ALREADY had talks with the French attacker.
The 24-year-old superstar is likely to be sold by PSG this summer after refusing to extend his deal with the French giants beyond the summer of 2024.
It had appeared that Real Madrid were massive favourites to finally acquire Mbappe with Florentino Perez apparently in pole position. Meanwhile the ongoing takeover saga at Old Trafford appeared to rule out Man Utd.
READ: Mbappe hits out at FAKE NEWS over summer transfer
Not so fast though, with our sources telling us that Qatari Sheikh Jassim - one of two major bidders for the club along with Sir Jim Ratcliffe - has already been in contact with Mbappe.
Clearly this scenario was someething Sheikh Jassim has anticipated for a long time, with contact initiated between the Qatari businessman and PSG attacker’s entourage as early as January of this year.
Watch this space...
Mason Mount bid LODGED, what are the next steps?
Man Utd have failed with their first bid for Chelsea and England midfielder Mason Mount - nothing surprising there - and ace transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has outlined the next steps for Erik Ten Hag and co.
United's bid of £40m was likely just one to test the waters, and now they will need to come back with a bigger one.
MORE: Man Utd and Liverpool target REFUSES to rule out big move
Chelsea are holding out for a massive £70m for a player whose contract is due to expire in the summer of 2024, so a compromise somewhere in the middle is more likely.
Our in-house Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) model currently rates Mount at €68.9m (£58.9m).
REVEALED: Exact date defensive target will join Man Utd
More good news for Man Utd fans this morning with Italian media revealing THE EXACT DATE their number one defensive target will move to Old Trafford.
That of course would be Napoli and South Korea center-back Kim Min-jae - who has long been linked with a summer switch to Old Trafford.
Il Mattino claims United will trigger the €60 million clause in Kim’s Napoli contract when it becomes active on the first day of July.
Il Mattino claims that everything is agreed, then the player labelled the “best defender in the world” by Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti will become a Man Utd player on July 1.
Bundesliga striker target Kolo Muani sends 'dream' message
Man Utd have been given encouragement in their quest to sign Eintracht Frankfurt forward Randal Kolo Muani by the man himself.
He finished the season with 23 goals and 17 assists for his club side in 46 appearances, and also gave a series of eye-catching performances with France at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
MORE: Romano sends Man Utd worrying ‘absolutely open’ update on transfer priority
Frankfurt have reportedly set an asking price of above €100 million for the 24-year-old player, but Kolo Muani, who has a contract until June 2027, has hinted that he will push for a transfer in a revelation heartening to the Red Devils.
He said: "Honestly, I want to improve and to keep working. It’s my dream to play at a big club. Why not?
“For now, that’s not in my thinking. Now I’m with the national team, we’re training and we have to important matches.
“The transfer window has just opened and we’ll see what happens when I finish these games.”
Sheikh Jassim would be great for Man Utd - Xavi
The biggest Man Utd move of all this summer of course (bar Mbappe) could be the transfer of ownership of the actual club.
The takeover saga rumbles on, but Old Trafford fans have been given a major boost with Barcelona coach Xavi giving big backing to Sheikh Jassim.
The Spanish icon - who knows Jassim from his spell coaching at Al-Sadd - said: “I have a good relationship with the person [Sheikh Jassim] interested in buying the club [Man Utd]. He’s a serious person and I’m sure he’d do a good job.
“I know him so well. I think he’s a very good person with responsibility…I think it would be a very good option for United.”
Man Utd wait on Rabiot decision as Juventus beg him to stay
The future of French midfielder and long-time Old Trafford target Adrien Rabiot hangs in the balance with the Juventus star agonising over the next big decision in his career.
The 28-year-old of course has rejected United overtures in the past, and he reportedly has another offer on the table this summer.
Rabiot's Juventus contract is due to expire at the end of this month, with his mother and agent Veronique now speaking with interested parties about his future.
Per trusted Turin daily Tuttosport, Juventus have offered Rabiot a one-year deal in a bid to entice him to stay. This would allow him to test the open market again in the summer of 2024.
There are reports that Spanish side Atletico Madrid have also entered the race to capture Rabiot's signature.
MORE: The seven Man Utd players set to leave on a free transfer