Manchester United are running a tight clock on Marcus Rashford. The club wants him off the roster before their preseason camp kicks off in Dublin on August 9, but they’re not interested in another year-long loan situation. According to The Sun, United would rather push for a permanent transfer than watch the 28-year-old spend another season away from Old Trafford on temporary terms.
Rashford is currently with England at the World Cup, and he’s made it clear to people around him that he wants to be “fully present in the moment” while representing his country. That focus is understandable, but it also means the window for United to negotiate a deal is tight. The club has settled on August 9 as the official start date for preseason, when every World Cup participant is expected to be available. If Rashford’s future isn’t sorted by then, things could get messy.
Santos to United for £50m, Casemiro and Ugarte exits loom
Meanwhile, United have agreed a £50 million deal for Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos. BBC Sport reports the fee breaks down to an initial £48 million with another £2 million in add-ons. Chelsea also secured a 10 percent sell-on clause for the 22-year-old Brazilian. Central midfield became an emergency priority after Casemiro left and Manuel Ugarte went down with a cruciate knee ligament injury. United needed a body in that room, and Santos is the guy they landed on.
Juventus wants Martinez on the cheap, Villa isn’t budging
Over in Serie A, Juventus are trying to haggle Aston Villa down from their £8.5 million asking price for goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. The 33-year-old has already agreed personal terms with the Bianconeri, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. Martinez would take a significant pay cut on his current Villa deal — reportedly a three-year contract worth €5 million a season — but he’s still under contract with Villa through 2029. Unai Emery’s side isn’t exactly eager to let him go cheap.
Bournemouth’s Kroupi drawing Barcelona, PSG, Spurs, Arsenal interest but club says no
Barcelona added Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi to their shortlist of forward alternatives to Julian Alvarez, per Fichajes. The problem is they’re not alone. Paris Saint-Germain, Tottenham and Arsenal are also sniffing around. Kroupi is only 20 but lit up his debut Premier League season with 13 goals. Bournemouth’s stance? Not for sale. That might change if an offer gets wild enough, but right now the Cherries are holding firm.
Crystal Palace are quietly wrapping up a free-agent signing of their own. Fabrizio Romano reports that Spanish fullback Oscar Mingueza is set to join Palace after leaving Celta Vigo. The 27-year-old can play center-back or right-back, which gives Palace some flexibility at the back without spending a dime in transfer fees.
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