WOODWARD’S REIGN OF TERROR CONTINUES
Manchester United are the obvious transfer fodder for the summer and there are plenty of whispers around the Red Devils this sunny Easter morning. Not much of it is good news for United fans, mind…

David de Gea is said to be becoming increasingly frustrated with Ed Woodward’s refusal to cough up a pay-rise and The Times reckons United have made no attempt to reopen negotiations with the Spain goalkeeper. Apparently, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has tried to intervene, which comes as no surprise given how irritated the manager was over United’s bungled attempts to re-sign Ander Herrera.

Losing De Gea would be bad enough but the prospect of seeing Marcus Rashford leave Old Trafford is an unthinkable one for United fans. While nothing is certain with Woodward, at least it seems Barcelona have cooled their interest given the expected fee it might take to shift the academy graduate. That’s what the Sunday Express reckons, and it tallies up with plenty of previous reports.

Woodward is also labouring over an extension beyond the end of the current season for Solskjaer’s assistant Mike Phelan. Despite the former midfielder appearing to be having a swell old time back in the Old Trafford dug-out, according to the Sunday Mirror, Phelan is said to fancy the technical director’s job at United, rather than continue as Solskjaer’s right-hand man.

If you came looking for potential United signings, you’ll likely be disappointed. One whisper we can offer is a report from the Mirror that Ajax playmaker Hakim Ziyech is up for grabs for £25million, which may or may not interest United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Bayern Munich. Another comes courtesy of Sport1, which suggests Bayern centre-back Niklas Sule is among the defenders United are considering this summer.

 

PSG WANT WILF
One player United were linked with recently is Wilfried Zaha. A return to Old Trafford for the Palace winger seems unlikely given how much he seemed to hate it when he moved up north in 2013, but Paris might be more to his taste.

The Sunday Express claims PSG are willing to pay £65million for Zaha, who apparently has his heart set on leaving Selhurst Park this summer. Palace are said to be willing to consider doing business but the Mail on Sunday reckons the Eagles expect £80million if they are to sell their best player.

Palace are also reluctant to sell him and Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the same window. This summer could be Zaha’s turn to go, with Roy Hodgson keen to keep hold of Wan-Bissaka a little while longer before the full-back is picked off by one of the top six.

 

AND THE REST
Tottenham are increasingly confident that Christian Eriksen will recommit to a new contract… Man City have targeted the latest ‘new Messi’ – Velez Sarsfield midfielder Thiago Almada… Gareth Bale could opt to move to China, the UAE or MLS, though he may also choose to see out the three years remaining on his £500,000-a-week deal at Real Madrid… Man City are also eyeing Benfica starlet Joao Felix and Luka Jovic… Chelsea have rejected a £10m bid from Brighton for Reece James… Rafael Benitez is prepared to make Newcastle sweat before making a decision over his future.