Transfer roundup: United abandon Griezmann pursuit, Aubameyang deal rubbished

Manchester giants have sprung into action in the transfer market following a dour season

As football season draws to a close and the transfer window opens, the rumour mill has gone into overdrive regarding the biggest clubs and players.

We take a look at some of the major ones:

 

Man United no longer chasing Griezmann

Manchester United have reportedly abandoned their pursuit of Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann due to the long-term injury picked up by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The Red Devils have been linked with the Frenchman for the better part of a year and were widely expected to make an official move for in the summer transfer window.

However, a knee injury to star centre-forward Ibrahimovic means that strengthening wider areas no longer remains a priority for Jose Mourinho, per The Telegraph's James Ducker.

The Manchester giants will instead be focusing on recruiting a new number 9, with Everton's Romelu Lukaku, Werder Bremen's Max Kruse and Torino's Andrea Belotti topping his list.

And neither are Real chasing De Gea

Manchester United have rubbished reports of ever receiving or rejecting a £60million offer from Real Madrid for their Spanish shot-stopper David de Gea.

The usually reliable Sky Sports on Wednesday claimed that Real had offered a world record transfer fee for a goalkeeper but it moved neither United nor the player.

However, there was no trace of any such offers in the Spanish media, and a day later United also moved to clarify that any such bid never took place.

 

But Ederson to City is a done deal

Manchester City have signed Benfica custodian Ederson for a world record transfer fee for a goalkeeper, announced the club.

The £35million paid for the 23-year-old Brazilian eclipses the £33m that Juventus splashed out for Gianluigi Buffon in 2001.

United close in on Benfica duo

Due to a disappointing season, it seems Man United are keen to bolster their squad as early as possible, with the latest rumour linking them with Benfica defenders Nelson Semedo and Victor Lindelof.

Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira is expected in Manchester in the next few days, with his primary purpose of the visit being to negotiate a deal with the Red Devils for the aforementioned duo.

 

Dortmund debunk Aubameyang's PSG move

Borussia Dortmund's sporting director Michael Zorc has no idea where the rumours of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's proposed move to Paris Saint-Germain have come from.

Earlier this week, several media outlets reported that the Gabonese hotshot is close to sealing a summer move to the French capital in a £60.8m move, but Zorc has now stepped up to clarify that Dortmund “haven't received a single offer from any club on this planet”.

Chelsea to snub Barca's Azpilicueta advances

Premier League champions Chelsea are not losing any sleep over Spanish giants Barcelona's rumoured interest in versatile right-back Cesar Azpilicueta.

The Catalans are in the market for a new right-sided defender, with Arsenal's Hector Bellerin and Azpilicueta the top of their shopping list.

Despite the usually irresistible lure of returning back to Spain, Chelsea are confident of holding on to Azpilicueta beyond the summer transfer window due to the Spaniard being well settled in London.

 

Bakayoko in, Matic out

Midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko is purportedly close to becoming the next AS Monaco star set to leave the Principality club for pastures anew.

The Leonardo Jardim-coached side has already seen Bernardo Silva depart for Manchester City, while teenage starlet Kylian Mbappe is also being courted by several European giants.

But before a decision on Mbappe's future is made, it seems Bakayoko will be sold to Chelsea in a £42million to Chelsea.

The Blues, as a result, will then sanction Nemanja Matic's move to Manchester United, whose manager Jose Mourinho remains a long-term admirer of the Serb, having coached him at Chelsea.