Man United make plans as Madrid eye De Gea

Manchester United are looking to sign Samir Handanovic or Gianluigi Donnarumma because of concerns that David De Gea will be targeted by Real Madrid this summer, according to the Independent.

The report claimed that De Gea, alongside Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois, is wanted by Los Blancos as they look to sign a new No. 1 at the end of the season. United's concern is that Spain international De Gea, who was born in Madrid, could eventually want to return to La Liga.

Inter Milan's Handanovic, a 32-year-old Slovenia international, is said to be the first-choice target for United, but 18-year-old Donnarumma, who shares an agent with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, is also an option.

Barca contemplate Deulofeu homecoming

Barcelona could re-sign Gerard Deulofeu from Everton for a cut-price fee, but, Sport claimed, they have only until June 30 to complete the transfer.

Everton sent the 23-year-old winger on loan to AC Milan after he failed to secure a place in Ronald Koeman's team. But since moving to Serie A, and in action for Spain's national team, for whom he scored in a friendly win against France on Tuesday, Deulofeu has found form and caught the attention of Barca, who are now weighing up a surprise summer move.

It is reported that a deal for Deulofeu makes sense in every way for the Blaugrana. If Barca's new coach can accommodate Deulofeu in his squad, the €12 million deal will represent value, and if not, they can immediately sell him for more than they signed him.

Suitors line up to snap up Defoe

England international Jermain Defoe will be allowed to leave Sunderland on a free transfer if the team are relegated due to a clause in his contract, according to the Daily Mail.

With David Moyes' side seven points adrift of safety at the foot of the Premier League table, suitors, including Bournemouth and West Ham, are already beginning to put deals together to sign the 34-year-old, who has scored 14 goals this season.

Although Sunderland could have cashed in on Defoe during the January transfer window for £6 million, the club chose to gamble on his goals keeping them in the Premier League. With 10 games to go, that looks increasingly unlikely.

Tap-ins

-- Manchester United hope that Tiemoue Bakayoko's close friendship with Anthony Martial will convince the midfielder to move from Monaco to Old Trafford this summer, the Mirror reported. Bakayoko is also a £40 million target for Chelsea, but, the report claimed, United have asked executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward to ensure they secure the France international's signature.

-- Revier Sport claimed that Borussia Dortmund have beaten Liverpool in the race to sign highly rated 21-year-old Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud. The news will come as a blow to Jurgen Klopp, who missed out on Ousmane Dembele to Dortmund last summer and failed to lure Christian Pulisic to Anfield.

-- The Manchester Evening News reckons that Atletico Madrid defender Jose Maria Gimenez is interested in a move to Manchester United. The 22-year-old has not been a regular starter under Diego Simeone this season but is held in high regard by Jose Mourinho and will enter the final year of his contract in the summer, opening the door for a transfer.

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by MICHAEL WADE

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