United target De Gea replacement
Manchester United want to sign 20-year-old Anderlecht goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, with no signs of an imminent contract renewal for David de Gea.
United have an option to extend his deal unilaterally for a further year but remain in talks for an extension on fresh terms, and The Mirror reports that Verbruggen is one name who could arrive this summer.
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“David de Gea is out of contract in the summer, and although United are in talks to strike a new deal, Ten Hag may well look for a long-term replacement.
“De Gea, 32, is coming to the end of his 12th season at Old Trafford since his £18.9million move from Atletico Madrid in 2011. Earlier this month, the United No.1 was presented with an award for breaking the record for the most clean sheets in the Red Devils’ history. He has now kept 183 shut outs in 528 matches.
“The 20-year-old has become Anderlecht’s first-choice ‘keeper since the World Cup and has since put in a number of excellent performances for the Belgian side. Verbruggen produced a sensational display for Anderlecht and kept a clean sheet against Villarreal as they booked their place in the quarter-final of the Europa Conference League.”
Tottenham hold crisis talks over Conte future
After Antonio Conte’s remarkable and sustained outburst at the weekend, it appears he could be on his way out after crisis talks with chairman Daniel Levy.
The Tottenham head could take the opportunity to sack Conte in the coming days with no game until the start of April.
“The Italian laid into his players during a series of explosive post-match interviews in which he questioned their desire and attitude.
“Conte also appeared to take aim at the Spurs board during his extraordinary and sustained rant.
“But during talks on Saturday night, Conte is understood to have explained to members of the board that his comments were only aimed at the players and not the hierarchy.
“It is understood Levy has accepted Conte’s version of events and the Italian remained in his role on Sunday morning.
“The former Chelsea boss, however, remains at risk with Levy preparing to speak to his most trusted confidants this week over the matter.
“Tottenham don’t play again until April 3, when they travel to Everton, meaning Levy is under no immediate rush to make a decision.”
Abraham targeted for Villa return
Roma are willing to let Tammy Abraham go for much less than they would have previously considered. The Sun states that there was once a valuation of more than £60 million, but it could now take an offer of around half that to secure his signature, with suggestions that Villa want him back.
“That is just under half of the earlier figure reported by Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Abraham, 25, previously spent the 2018-19 season on loan from Chelsea at Villa Park.
“He helped the club secure promotion to the Premier League, netting 26 goals in 40 appearances for the club.”
Spurs players ready to see Conte leave
Perhaps unsurprisingly after his criticism, the Express reports that Tottenham’s players are ready to see Conte go from North London
“The gutting result and lack of character left Conte furious following the full-time whistle, where tensions boiled over following weeks of frustration behind the scenes in north London.
“Conte’s savage rant did not sit well with some of Tottenham’s players and some of them would now be onboard with his immediate dismissal.”
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