This is exactly the news that United fans have been waiting for.
Louis van Gaal has currently deployed Dutch midfielder Daley Blind as a centre-back but, it appears, it is not a long-term solution.
Blind performed admirably in last weekend’s 1-0 win over Tottenham but did give away cheap possession on a couple of occasions.
United have been linked with moves for Sergio Ramos and Nicolas Otamendi, over the summer, but an imminent signing proves most of us have been looking in the wrong league for the club’s latest signing.
La Gazetta dello Sport reports, this morning, that the club have agreed personal terms with Lazio and Argentina defender Lucas Biglia.
Biglia can play defensive midfield too but has often filled in as a central defender for club and country.
The 29-year-old has played 34 times for Argentina and, before signing for Lazio in 2013, made a name for himself with Anderlecht.
Monaco had been interested in bringing the Argentine to France but United have reportedly agreed terms for a four-year contract worth €5m each season. Lazio are holding out for €40m but United’s current offer is €25m. Expect the clubs to meet in the middle.
https://youtu.be/oGjyFtloBHo
If that is music to the ears of the United faithful, a final, improved bid from Real Madrid, for David de Gea, is not.
Spanish radio station ABC reports that Los Blancos have told United they will pay €30m for the goalkeeper, who has just a year remaining on his United contract.
Speaking/typing of improved bids, Manchester City have scraped together £47m [€66.5m] in loose change and have placed a reverse charges call to German side Wolfsburg.
The object of City’s affection is Belgian winger Kevin de Bruyne. [The Guardian]
Chelsea are also in a bid-improving mood. They have now offered Everton £20m, £25m and £30m [€42.5m] for John Stones but have been rebuffed each time.
The England international is not going anywhere, according to the Toffees. Your move Chelsea. £35m anyone? [Daily Mail]
Liverpool may have to settle for Joe Gomez and Alberto Moreno as their left backs for 2015/16. The Reds were keen on bringing in Lucas Digne from PSG but the defender is now off to Roma. [Football Italia].
Stoke City are going to wrap up their £12m [€17m] transfer for Inter Milan’s Swiss midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri, who was at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday to watch The Potters’ 1-0 loss to Liverpool. [The Sun]
We end our daily round-up by dropping in on our old buddies, Spurs.
The Londoners were held scoreless by United in their league opener, prompting Mauricio Pochettino to approach the Tottenham board again and rattle cages to get another striker in.
The leading candidates, according to Evening Standard, are Saido Berahino and Javier Hernandez but The Telegraph claim 21-year-old Lyon and Cameroon striker Clinton N’Jie is a done deal.
