Man Utd reject Benzema
Manchester United have turned down the opportunity to sign Karim Benzema in the January transfer window despite the injury to Anthony Martial, according to The Sun. The 36-year-old striker is looking for a short-term move away from Saudi Arabia, with the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner said to be unhappy at Al-Ittihad.
However, Benzema’s wage demands have ruled United out of the running as they look to avoid FFP breaches.
The Sun writes: “Despite having only one recognised centre-forward – Rasmus Hojlund – for the rest of the season, Man Utd refused to even enter talks.
“That is due to what they claim are “exorbitant” sums involved in bringing the player, who earns £86m a year, to Old Trafford.
“United are being careful to pay attention to their own wage bill and budget to stay within Financial Fair Play guidelines.”
Chelsea want Villa striker
Chelsea could make a shock move for Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran before the January transfer window closes, the Telegraph reports. Reports in Colombia have been backed up by the paper, with Chelsea’s interest coming after Villa rejected West Ham’s enquiry to take the Colombian international on loan for the remainder of the season.
Duran joined Villa 12 months ago for £18m, and Chelsea are seriously considering an offer as they look to strengthen their options up front.
The Telegraph adds: “Despite scoring four goals, two of which have come in the Premier League, this season and making 35 appearances in total, Duran is understood to be keen on getting more opportunities.
“Whether Chelsea could provide him with more playing time would remain to be seen, given Duran would be cup tied for the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, and the Blues have Christopher Nkunku returning from injury and Nicolas Jackson due back from the Africa Cup of Nations.”
Man Utd want £100m for Greenwood and co
Manchester United are hoping to make £100m in the sale of academy products alone this summer in a list including Mason Greenwood, the i newspaper reports. Greenwood is currently on loan at Getafe and this interest in Spain extends to Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Valencia all considering a permanent transfer for the 22-year-old striker.
United would also be willing to sell Scott McTominay and hope West Ham will come back in for the midfielder at the end of the season. Hannibal Mejbri and Alvaro Fernandez could also be sold. And the club may yet make more money if they shift unwanted players to Saudi Arabia.
The i adds: “The outgoings, Ratcliffe and his new football committee hope, are not going to end there. Insiders have confirmed reports that several stars have been offered to Saudi Arabian clubs, after current football director John Murtough visited the country during the Club World Cup in December.
“Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Casemiro, Jadon Sancho and Antony were all on the list of possible options, sources said, with no clubs as yet preparing offers.
“United triggered the option for an additional year to be added to Wan-Bissaka’s contract earlier this month, but with a sale in mind. Casemiro was identified by Ratcliffe and Ineos as the epitome of everything that is wrong about United’s transfer policy – signing ageing, expensive stars whose best years are behind them.”
Mbappe in, Vinicius out at Real Madrid?
Real Madrid would be willing to sell Vinicius Jr in order to sign Kylian Mbappe this summer, Sport in Spain reports. The outlet talks of Florentino Perez, Real Madrid’s president, being obsessed with the idea of bringing Mbappe to the Spanish capital, adding that Perez does not view Vinicius as a player capable of carrying the profile as the club’s number one player.
The suggestion is that Mbappe and Vinicius cannot play together in the same forward line, and for Perez that would mean only one outcome.
Sport writes: “Florentino sees in the French star a true world number one. He has already begun to build a new team with the incorporation in the last two seasons of two French footballers that PSG wanted, such as Camavinga and Tchouameni, for whom he has paid close to 120 million euros, in addition to Bellingham, whom he sees as a perfect complement.
“And, if the day comes when Mbappe dresses in white, Vinicius will see what happens when the real ‘Sun King’ of Madrid presses the red button to be expelled from the club.
“May Vinicius take good note of what happened to Cristiano Ronaldo, the most transcendent footballer in the modern history of Real Madrid, who left the capital through the back door and with his absolutist president speaking ill of him to this day.”
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