Man Utd duo Casemiro and Aaron Wan-Bissaka wanted by Al-Nassr, Karim Benzema wants ‘temporary’ transfer – Paper Round
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Updated 24/01/2024 at 08:39 GMT
Wednesday’s Paper Round leads on Manchester United, where two players have been linked with a move to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr. Ronaldo is said to have encouraged Casemiro to join the Saudi Pro League side. Elsewhere, Karim Benzema is hoping for a short-term transfer away from Al-Ittihad, and Newcastle have rejected Bayern Munich’s bid for Kieran Trippier.
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Casemiro and Wan-Bissaka to Saudi?
Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr are considering a double bid for Manchester United’s Casemiro and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, the Daily Mail reports. With United willing to sell a number of players, United's football director John Murtough flew to Saudi Arabia last month to talk transfers.
And in their apparent bid to get Casemiro, who earns £375,000 a week, off the books, there could be interest from Cristiano Ronaldo’s club.
The Mail adds: “United are open to selling him this summer if they can recoup a chunk of the £70m fee paid to Real Madrid last year. Al-Nassr are understood to be ready to make Casemiro a huge offer with encouragement from his former Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.
“The Saudi club could move for Wan-Bissaka this month after seeing a £20m bid for Tottenham right-back Emerson Royal rejected last week. Wan-Bissaka faces an uncertain future at Old Trafford after United triggered the 12-month extension in his contract in December having decided not to offer the defender a new long-term deal.
“The 26-year-old's agents are understood to have held further contract talks with United earlier this month but the outcome was not positive.”
Benzema wants out – temporarily
Karim Benzema wants a short-term move away from Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad, according to AFP. The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner is training alone after being exiled from the squad for reportedly turning up 17 days late from holiday.
And now the French former Real Madrid striker wants a “temporary” move away, with the player’s former club Lyon one possible destination.
Marca adds: “The forward, who is linked to French club Lyon but without anything official, argued that he arrived late due to a cyclone that caught him in Mauritius, where he was on vacation
“At the club, meanwhile, they argue that not only did he miss those January days, but that the former Madrid player was already absent from three training sessions prior to the end of the year, after the serious defeat against Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr.”
Newcastle stand firm over Trippier
Newcastle have rejected Bayern Munich’s offer of £13m for Kieran Trippier, multiple outlets are reporting. The England international looks set to stay in the North East beyond the January transfer window, although the Premier League club could yet entertain offers for Miguel Almiron as they look to comply with the league’s financial rules and free up room for a summer rebuild.
Trippier is open to the move, where he would join Harry Kane and Eric Dier, but it looks unlikely a deal will happen.
The Mirror writes: “At their current valuation it is a no, and Thomas Tuchel won’t go much higher for a 33-year-old. Monday’s approach was said to be their decisive move, suggesting Trippier will now stay.
“Almiron is wanted by Saudi sides Al-Shabab and Al-Ahli, but the Paraguay winger would like to stay on Tyneside until the summer at the very least.”
Greenwood to Barcelona?
Mason Greenwood could secure a “dream move” to Barcelona this summer and is edging closer to a deal, The Sun reports. Greenwood is currently on loan at Getafe from Manchester United and is expected to leave permanently at the end of the season.
The 22-year-old also hopes to play for England again, the source told The Sun, but in the short-term a move to La Liga giants Barca could be in the pipeline.
A source told The Sun: “Barcelona want to sign Greenwood, and he wants to move there. The next step is for the clubs to come to an agreement.
“Manchester United want to sell the player and the manager has accepted Greenwood won’t be returning. The view is that it is best for all parties to have a clean break. As talented as Greenwood is, a return to the club when they are at the start of a new chapter, with new owners, is regarded as a backward step.
“A deal with Barcelona is likely to include a number of add-ons depending on games Mason goes on to play for them and possibly for England too. Mason is setting his sights on playing for his country again one day.”
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