David De Gea wants £72m
David De Gea is seeking a massive pay rise at Old Trafford as reward for his loyalty in the transfer market.
Manchester United offered De Gea a new contract three months ago, knowing Real Madrid could have come calling this summer.
And while fresh terms with the Old Trafford club were not signed, nor did the Spaniard force the issue on a move to La Liga.
His current deal ends next summer. And United are desperate to avoid losing De Gea on a free transfer in 2019.
Talks over a contract are ongoing and De Gea, 27, has supposedly demanded an eye-watering £350,000-a-week salary.
The proposal, which would run until 2023, would see De Gea extend his stay at Old Trafford to over a decade.
The Sun claim De Gea wants pay parity with the biggest earners at United – namely Alexis Sanchez and Paul Pogba.
Were United to agree to the contract, De Gea would be in line to earn £72.8m over the duration of the contract.
Arsene Wenger backed to replace Jose Mourinho…
Arsene Wenger would be a suitable replacement for Jose Mourinho at Manchester United, according to beIN SPORTS Premier League presenter Richard Keys.
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is the favourite with the bookies to be the next manager to lose their job in the top flight despite yesterday’s win.
And Keys suggested Wenger, who left Arsenal after 22 years at the end of last season, would be a good option.
“I’ll match and raise you Arsene Wenger,” he said. “Let me put a bit of meat on the bone. Managed big players all of his life. Knows plenty about the English Premier League.
“He has won everything there is to win apart from the Champions League. He certainly can handle big players. Managed a big football club and he’s available.”
Wanted: Luca Stephenson
Liverpool are on the verge of signing Sunderland teenager Luca Stephenson, reports claim.
Stephenson, 15, is considered Sunderland’s best midfield youth prospect and will cost Liverpool somewhere in the region of £200,000.
Should the compensation fee be accepted, Stephenson will slot straight into Barry Lewtas’ Under-18 squad.
The Sun claim Stephenson has been compared with former Black Cat Jordan Henderson.
The battle for Drinkwater
Express Sport understands Leicester and Southampton could scrap it out for Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater in January.
Drinkwater has been a bit-part player at Stamford Bridge since Antonio Conte prized him away from Leicester in a £35m deal.
And West Ham sniffed around him over the summer as Manuel Pellegrini looked to splash the cash at the London Stadium.
Leicester are now keeping tabs on the Chelsea misfit, with Southampton potential rivals in a battle for his signature in the new year.
Cristiano Ronaldo return
Jose Mourinho claims a Manchester United return for Cristiano Ronaldo was “never on the table”.
Ending his medal-laden spell at Real Madrid, the 33-year-old joined Juventus over the summer.
Ronaldo has been in the Spanish capital since leaving Old Trafford in 2009 and it has been reported that Mourinho urged United not to re-sign the forward.
The pair worked together at Real Madrid and will come head-to-head in this season’s Champions League group stage.
“Cristiano was never on my table to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to Cristiano to come to us. It was never on the table,” Mourinho said.