Still waiting for all that hype that entered this summer transfer window at Manchester United to get realized, but now it does look like a potential major overhaul could be in the works. If indeed Paul Pogba is given his wish and sent to another team, then we’ll have lots to talk about, as that enormous cash infusion will inevitably bring more signings between now and when the season starts.
Training camp is now open and the team is set to depart for their preseason overseas tour tomorrow, so with that mind here are some of the top trending news items and transfer narratives in the Manchester United online community on this Saturday.
The rocky relationship between Inter Milan and flamboyant, mercurial forward Mauro Icardi may finally be coming to an end. Stop us if you have heard that one before. However, Inter CEO Beppe Marotta stated in no uncertain terms that the polarizing Argentine is not in the club’s rebuilding plans.
Ditto for midfielder Radja Nainggolan.
“When building a project, you have to find the right profiles. We had the opportunity to speak to the players themselves, with full respect for their contractual situations, but explained the position of the club, which I think is the most important thing,” Marotta is quoted by Football Italia.
“Both players know full well they are not part of our plans. That doesn’t mean we doubt their talent or capabilities, as I consider them to be two excellent players.”
“Talent can win you games, but the squad wins you the league, which is the main objective we are setting out for. They are not part of our project, with all due respect.”
As new manager Antonio Conte takes the reigns of the Serie A side, it’s clear that they will need a replacement for Icardi, and the could be United man Romelu Lukaku, as there is some serious mutual admiration going on between the big Belgian striker and the ex Chelsea and Italy manager.
Maybe Lukaku goes the other way if Icardi gets sent to United? It’s a transfer narrative that’s been out there quite a bit this summer, but the player’s wife/agent Wanda Nara (pictured twice here) could stand in the way.
A report from 90 Min states that both Manchester clubs looked into signing Icardi, but they were put off by the notoriety of Nara and have reservations about dealing with her.
Icardi, 26, reportedly wants to move to the Premier League, but it’s probably not going to happen, with Juventus and Napoli being more likely destinations.
Elsewhere, United could really need to buy a midfielder or two this summer, as Ander Herrera is gone, Pogba wants out and there are questions surrounding the future of Nemanja Matic at the club as well.
One target that United won’t be signing is Monaco man Youri Tielemans. The 22-year-old truly impressed during the half season he spent on loan at Leicester City, and now the King Power Stadium are looking to keep him around on a permanent basis.
NBC has more on Tielemans in Leicester to iron out the details.
Finally, a quick item about United’s second of two signings this summer, Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
The £50 million right back has been left fuming by his treatment from England Under 21s boss Aidy Boothroyd. The Daily Mail has more over at this link.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
You can follow Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com on Twitter here and his cat on Instagram at this link.