Manchester United have offered teenage forward JJ Gabriel an official scholarship contract but could still lose him for as little as £350,000, according to The Guardian.
The club’s offer has not removed the possibility that Gabriel could leave for a relatively small fee, with Friday’s newspapers carrying a number of stories involving Manchester United, Tottenham, Aston Villa and other major clubs.
Tottenham forward Xavi Simons is returning to education to study business at Harvard University, The Sun reports. Simons was accepted by the prestigious university while recovering from a knee injury.
At Aston Villa, sources believe Alejandro Garnacho is starting to make progress after finding his initial period in the Midlands difficult, according to The Athletic.
Tottenham are also negotiating a new contract for Luca Williams-Barnett. The Sun says the player is being monitored by Chelsea and Manchester United.
European football
Former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay is reportedly attracting interest from Real Madrid, The Sun reports.
Real Madrid are also facing reports of tension within their dressing room. Jose Mourinho has allegedly been unable to end the infighting after details of a recent altercation were leaked, according to the Mirror.
MLS interest in Kane
MLS commissioner Don Garber says the league would “love” to bring in England captain Harry Kane as its next high-profile signing, the Mirror reports.
Garber’s comments come amid continued newspaper speculation about the prospect of Kane becoming one of the league’s biggest-profile arrivals.
Ronaldo’s mother recalls Portugal departure
Cristiano Ronaldo’s mother, Dolores Aveiro, has said she cried after her son left the Portugal camp “through the back door”, The Sun reports.
Her comments describe the emotional reaction to Ronaldo’s departure from the national team camp.