Manchester United have opened negotiations with captain Bruno Fernandes over a new contract, according to the Daily Mail, as the club move to secure the future of a player regarded as an inspirational figure at Old Trafford.
The talks headline Tuesday’s Deadline Day transfer stories, with United also being told that Victor Osimhen is willing to join the club this summer, reports the Daily Express.
The Nigerian striker’s potential move is among the leading rumours involving Manchester United, while Harry Maguire believes Marcus Rashford can have a starring role for the club this season if he preserves his hunger and concentration throughout the campaign. The Times reports that Maguire has backed his team-mate to make an impact, provided he maintains those standards.
United forward Jadon Sancho could face strict financial terms if he is to return to Borussia Dortmund this summer. According to the Daily Mail, any agreement would be heavily performance-based and would not include a signing bonus.
Tottenham have rejected an approach for Archie Gray from an unnamed club and are insisting the midfielder is not available for transfer, says The Sun.
Celtic, meanwhile, have increased their efforts to recruit a left-back by making a move for Torino defender Niels Nkounkou, the Scottish Sun reports. Nkounkou is a former Everton player.
Elsewhere, Virgil van Dijk is set to discuss his international future with new Netherlands coach Xavi before deciding whether to retire from international football, according to The Times.
The former Manchester United and Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre could lose his position at FIFA after speaking publicly about several reasons why he believes the organisation’s president, Gianni Infantino, can no longer be trusted.
The Times reports that Silvestre’s comments come amid scrutiny of Infantino’s leadership. The FIFA president was elected on 26 February 2016, but by June of that year senior officials within football’s world governing body had made serious complaints about his conduct. If upheld, those allegations could have made the Swiss lawyer’s position untenable, according to the Daily Telegraph.
There is also turmoil in Pakistan cricket, with the country’s Test team described as being in chaos after the head coach and assistant coach were dismissed.
Seven members of the squad have also been sent home after Pakistan suffered two heavy defeats against England, results which surrendered the series. The developments feature among the other major stories in Tuesday’s newspaper coverage.
The reports come on Deadline Day, with clubs continuing to assess their options and finalise potential deals before the transfer window closes.
