Paper Talk: Contract twist sees Man Utd target’s asking price skyrocket; Everton told £15m-plus fee for Barcelona striker Manchester United suffer a setback in their hunt for a LaLiga star, while Everton are told the asking price for a strike target – all in the latest Paper Talk. MAN UTD SETBACK IN HUNT FOR PARTEY Atletico Madrid plan to end Manchester United’s hopes of signing Thomas Partey by handing the midfielder a lucrative new contract, according to reports. Partey, who has been part of Atletico’s first team since 2015, has grown in prominence over the past few seasons to become a key part of Diego Simeone’s defensively-minded team. Indeed, the Ghanaian was excellent in both legs of the Champions League last 16 tie against Liverpool, in which the Spanish giants sat deep for the majority of the tie. Such performances reportedly made Partey a transfer priority this summer for United, with boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said to be keen to find a long-term replacement for 31-year-old Nemanja Matic. However, according to Spanish outlet AS (via the Daily Express), Atletico plan to reward Partey, 26 with a new deal which will all but end interested parties’ hopes of landing a swoop. It is claimed that the LaLiga side plan to double the midfielders’ release clause – currently at a “manageable” £47million – which would make Partey one of the most expensive signings in recent transfer windows. Partey has made 35 appearances for Atletico this season, chipping in with three goals and one assist. AND THE REST Everton and West Ham are interested in signing Barcelona striker Martin Braithwaite, who will not be sold for less than £16million (Diario Sport) Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi has admitted that there are “many questions” to be answered regarding his future at the club (Sky Sports) The Gunners have enquired about the availability of Real Betis playmaker Nabil Fekir, who could be brought in as a replacement for Dani Ceballos (Daily Star) Former Newcastle striker Nolberto Solano has apologised after being caught by Peruvian authorities breaking strict quarantine measures (Guardian) Leeds are among a host of clubs interested in signing Metz striker Habib Diallo (Le Foot) Wigan and Stoke have been keeping tabs on Hamilton defender Scott McMann ahead of a potential summer swoop (Scottish Sun) Philippe Coutinho was left angered last summer after a late move to Tottenham from Barcelona fell through (Sport) Mesut Ozil’s agent has admitted that his client is happy at Arsenal and plans to see out his contract in North London (Goal) Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola’s pursuit of Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci could put John Stones’ future at the Etihad in jeopardy (Daily Star) Bayern Munich will look to replace goalkeeper Manuel Neuer – who has been linked with Chelsea – with Barcelona’s Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (Daily Mail) Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s return to fitness following an Achilles injury is being affected by the lack of first-team training with the squad (Evening Standard) The post Paper Talk: Contract twist sees Man Utd target’s asking price skyrocket; Everton told £15m-plus fee for Barcelona striker appeared first on teamtalk.com.

Manchester United suffer a setback in their hunt for a LaLiga star, while Everton are told the asking price for a strike target – all in the latest Paper Talk.

 

MAN UTD SETBACK IN HUNT FOR PARTEY

Atletico Madrid plan to end Manchester United’s hopes of signing Thomas Partey by handing the midfielder a lucrative new contract, according to reports.

Partey, who has been part of Atletico’s first team since 2015, has grown in prominence over the past few seasons to become a key part of Diego Simeone’s defensively-minded team.

Indeed, the Ghanaian was excellent in both legs of the Champions League last 16 tie against Liverpool, in which the Spanish giants sat deep for the majority of the tie.

Such performances reportedly made Partey a transfer priority this summer for United, with boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said to be keen to find a long-term replacement for 31-year-old Nemanja Matic.

However, according to Spanish outlet AS (via the Daily Express), Atletico plan to reward Partey, 26 with a new deal which will all but end interested parties’ hopes of landing a swoop.

It is claimed that the LaLiga side plan to double the midfielders’ release clause – currently at a “manageable” £47million – which would make Partey one of the most expensive signings in recent transfer windows.

Partey has made 35 appearances for Atletico this season, chipping in with three goals and one assist.

 

AND THE REST

Everton and West Ham are interested in signing Barcelona striker Martin Braithwaite, who will not be sold for less than £16million (Diario Sport)

Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi has admitted that there are “many questions” to be answered regarding his future at the club (Sky Sports)

The Gunners have enquired about the availability of Real Betis playmaker Nabil Fekir, who could be brought in as a replacement for Dani Ceballos (Daily Star)

Former Newcastle striker Nolberto Solano has apologised after being caught by Peruvian authorities breaking strict quarantine measures (Guardian)

Leeds are among a host of clubs interested in signing Metz striker Habib Diallo (Le Foot)

 

 

Wigan and Stoke have been keeping tabs on Hamilton defender Scott McMann ahead of a potential summer swoop (Scottish Sun)

Philippe Coutinho was left angered last summer after a late move to Tottenham from Barcelona fell through (Sport)

Mesut Ozil’s agent has admitted that his client is happy at Arsenal and plans to see out his contract in North London (Goal)

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola’s pursuit of Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci could put John Stones’ future at the Etihad in jeopardy (Daily Star)

Bayern Munich will look to replace goalkeeper Manuel Neuer – who has been linked with Chelsea – with Barcelona’s Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (Daily Mail)

Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s return to fitness following an Achilles injury is being affected by the lack of first-team training with the squad (Evening Standard)

The post Paper Talk: Contract twist sees Man Utd target’s asking price skyrocket; Everton told £15m-plus fee for Barcelona striker appeared first on teamtalk.com.

Jonny Whitfield