Manchester United dealt double blow in search for new midfielder, Spurs won't give up on Savinho transfer - Paper Round

It appears that Manchester United's pursuit of Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba is set to end in frustration and, to compound their pain, their Plan B in Morten Hjulmand may fail too. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur are not willing to give up on signing Manchester City's Savinho, and Nottingham Forest are close to sealing the double transfer of City pair Rico Lewis and James McAtee.

Double blow for Man Utd

Manchester United have been dealt a double blow in their search for a new midfielder.

The Red Devils’ pursuit of Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba appears to be over for now after the club were priced out of a move, according to The Sun.

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"There is an acceptance at United that the Cameroonian will not be moving to them this summer," states the outlet.

"The asking price from The Seagulls is simply too hot for The Red Devils, who have splashed out more than £200 million on their forward line this summer.

"Baleba is believed to fancy the move though – so watch this space in 12 months' time."

Sporting CP captain Morten Hjulmand had been identified as an alternative to Baleba, but a report from the Mail suggests the deal is a no-goer.

"It has now been claimed that the 26-year-old Denmark international will be nigh on impossible to acquire this summer thanks to a combination of his expiring release clause and the Portuguese champions' unwillingness to sell another first team star in the window," reads the article.

"According to Record, the £68m (€80m) release clause in the midfielder's contract expired on June 15 and Sporting, whose sale of star striker Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal was fraught, have decided to close the door on any further exits."

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Spurs won't give up on Savinho

Tottenham Hotspur are not willing to give up on signing Manchester City's Savinho, despite having a £60 million bid rejected.

A report in The Sun suggests Spurs are ready to submit a new offer for the winger, who is open to joining Thomas Frank's side.

"News outlet Globo have claimed that The Citizens have already rejected a £60m offer for Savinho," states the outlet.

"Tottenham are set to try again for Savinho, 21, with a new offer set to be sent in soon. It is believed that the player is keen on the switch to the Europa League winners.

"Savinho's agents have jetted to England to try and push through a move to Thomas Frank's side.

"He is aiming for a spot in Brazil's squad for the 2026 World Cup across Canada, Mexico and the United States.

"It is thought that he would get more minutes in North London to impress Selecao boss Carlo Ancelotti."

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Forest close in on Man City pair

Nottingham Forest are close to sealing the double transfer of Manchester City’s Rico Lewis and James McAtee.

The Mail claims that The Citizens are prepared to sell the pair to Forest for around £60 million.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side can boast UEFA Europa League football this season after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld UEFA's decision to remove Crystal Palace from the competition.

The article reads: "A switch for McAtee has been agreed, with the overall package worth £30 million, and Daily Mail Sport understands that Forest had hoped to seal both players in a single deal with City.

"But the potential signing of Lewis would now appear likely to be a separate transfer. The versatile England international is thought to be valued at more than £30m.

"City had been looking to tie the youngster down to a new deal, and marked those negotiations as a priority going into the summer, but have not managed to finalise terms. They are thought to be open to allowing Lewis to leave if the right offer came in.

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"City inserted a sell-on and buyback clause in Forest’s deal for McAtee, who made just three Premier League starts last term before captaining England’s Under 21s to European Championship glory.

"Lewis would also command similar clauses, with City using those more frequently now after the success of Cole Palmer at Chelsea."

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