With Marcus Rashford reportedly drawing interest from Italy, Spain and even Tottenham, Manchester United are trying to keep him at Old Trafford by placing a price-tag on him "between £70million and £80m".
In a disappointing campaign, the 24-year-old scored just five goals from 32 games in all club competition, and he did not play a full 90 minutes in any of the five Champions League fixtures he was healthy for (subbed on twice, subbed off three times).
His Premier League season also did not go to plan, missing the first seven games due to a shoulder injury, and finishing with 12 of his 25 appearances coming off the bench.
TOP STORY – RED DEVILS LOOK TO KEEP RIVALS AWAY FROM RASHFORD
The exact figures of "between £70m and £80m" came from Italian super-agent Roberto De Fanti during an exclusive interview with CaughtOffside, where he said he expected United to ask for "around £40m, maybe £50m."
De Fanti mentioned he was aware of interest from "all the top sides in Spain and Italy" and that Rashford's management had met with Tottenham about a potential deal, but Spurs "feel negotiating a deal for Rashford is virtually impossible" due to the asking price.
Emphasising that it is not a case of United trying to scrounge every possible dollar out of a sale, De Fanti said "United are confident a club is unlikely to pay that [figure]", and that he is not on the list of players Erik ten Hag is planning on selling to fund up to six new signings.
ROUND-UP
– According to The Sun, Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku has been contacting Inter since Christmas in an attempt to expedite a transfer away from Stamford Bridge.
– Todofichajes is reporting Liverpool view Chelsea's Christian Pulisic as a potential replacement for Sadio Mane, with the American's price-tag said to be in the range of £42m.
– West Ham United sent scouts to watch Denmark's recent Nations League fixture, with the Daily Star reporting they are interested in both Christian Eriksen and Atalanta right-back Joakim Maehle.
– According to De Telegraaf, Barcelona are willing to part ways with Frenkie de Jong if they receive what they perceive to be a fair offer, with Manchester United leading the race.
– The Express is reporting that Newcastle United have set their sights on Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin after missing out on Bayer Leverkusen star Moussa Diaby.
Barcelona 3-0 Rayo Vallecano: Lewandowski and Pedri on target as Blaugrana seal second place
Barcelona beat Rayo Vallecano 3-0 in their final home game of the season on Sunday to secure second place in LaLiga.
An early Robert Lewandowski goal and a quick-fire double from Pedri got the job done for the Blaugrana.
The result moved Barcelona to 82 points, four points above Girona, who won 3-1 away at Valencia.
Champions Real Madrid are 12 points above Barca with one more round of games left.
Barca took the lead in the third minute when Lamine Yamal, on his 50th appearance, cut in from the right wing and chipped the ball to Lewandowski, who expertly controlled the pass with his chest and volleyed home.
Although Rayo had their chances to level, Barcelona doubled their lead with some magical footwork from Joao Felix who saw his shot saved but Pedri managed to score from the rebound to give the home side a two-goal cushion.
Barely three minutes later, Pedri spotted a gap in Rayo's high defensive line and he was put through on goal with a long ball from centre-back Ronald Araujo, allowing the 21-year-old to fire home and double his goal tally for the season.
Barca will finish their season away at Sevilla next weekend while Rayo, who are 16th, host Athletic Bilbao.
Data Debrief: Lewy hits 25, again
Lewandowski has now scored 25 goals in all competitions this season.
He has netted at least 25 times in all competitions in each of the last 11 seasons, three campaigns more than any other player in top five European leagues over that period.
Liverpool 'ahead of schedule', says departing Klopp ahead of Slot arrival
Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool are "ahead of schedule" after suggesting their third-placed finish in the Premier League marks a "statement" in a challenging competition.
Reds manager Klopp took charge of his final game with Liverpool in Sunday's 2-0 victory over Wolves, with Alexis Mac Allister and Jarell Quansah both on target in the first half at Anfield.
Liverpool threatened a title challenge midway through this campaign but fell away from contention alongside Arsenal and eventual winners Manchester City, settling for Champions League football next term.
Klopp refuted suggestions Liverpool need a significant "overhaul" as Feyenoord head coach Arne Slot prepares to start his tenure at Anfield next season.
"I'm sure you will all agree there does not need to be an overhaul," the departing Liverpool manager told Sky Sports after his emotional farewell on the pitch.
"We finished third. We were ahead of schedule. It's a statement in this strong league and I'm absolutely fine with that."
Klopp announced his intentions to leave back in January, with Sunday marking a memorable goodbye for the former Borussia Dortmund head coach.
"I thought it might be more sad in the beginning but when people realise, it's all good," he continued.
"If I carry on, these guys and others will say 'he's been there too long'. You have to be the spark. I love the squad. There is so much potential. They will make changes here and there.
"There has been such a long lead-up to this day and it was really intense. I had my bad moments as well but thank God, not today.
"I'm just thankful for what has happened, when you are in it, you forget sometimes how great it is. You take it for granted.
"Now I stand here, I'm just so happy I'm a part of the club's history. It's wonderful."
Klopp believes he leaves Liverpool having played the most entertaining football, even if his tenure ended with fewer trophies than some seasons merited due to the brilliance of Pep Guardiola's Man City.
"It's so super special that it's difficult to explain," Klopp added. "We live in a world where it's all about results for others.
"We learn that not getting absolutely everything is fine. It's such a massive lesson for life. It's not about that, it's about the journey and the togetherness and that's what I love. Things might not always go perfect.
"The other clubs, with the most money and the best managers, they win it. We didn't have the best manager and never had the best team but for a while we played the best football and I love that.
"We are a rock-solid club and don't overspend. People say 'you didn't spend enough.' What the heck do you want? I just understand this from the Liverpool way."
Grealish reveals off-pitch struggles, hails supportive Guardiola
Jack Grealish has revealed he struggled away from the pitch this season, thanking Pep Guardiola for his support after Manchester City retained their Premier League title.
City clinched an unprecedented fourth straight title on Sunday, finishing two points clear of Arsenal at the summit as Phil Foden scored twice in a 3-1 win over West Ham.
Guardiola has now joined Alex Ferguson (13), George Ramsay and Bob Paisley (six each) as one of four managers with at least six English top-flight titles.
Grealish has been present for the last three of those triumphs, though his form in 2023-24 was down on a bright 2022-23 campaign, when he scored five goals and added seven assists in 28 league matches.
The England international only registered four Premier League goal involvements (three goals, one assist) this term, being limited to just 10 starts by fitness issues and poor form.
Speaking to Sky Sports after Sunday's trophy presentation, Grealish said of Guardiola: "He's an unbelievable guy.
"I've had times this season that I've struggled off the pitch, I don't mind saying that, and he's been there for me so much.
"He's a brilliant manager on the pitch but behind closed doors and in his office, he's helped me too.
"I'm so proud of some of these guys and happy for them. People like [Mateo] Kovacic, what a brilliant guy.
"He's played every minute in the last few weeks and then today he doesn't, and he took it so well. I'm so proud."
Reflecting on his own performances, Grealish added: "I don't feel like I've performed well this season at all. I performed better this year than my first year.
"That first year I just wanted to win no matter what. Last year I played more, and this season has been stop-start. I played well in points.
"My standards are high so I feel like I could've played more in some games. I wanted to play as much as I could like last season.
"We have so many good players here so it's difficult. There's no team in the world that rotates like this team does but that's the beauty of it."
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