MANCHESTER UNITED look like they have finally seen off interest from Real Madrid with David de Gea reportedly ready to sign a new deal at the club.
The La Liga giants have long been linked with a move for De Gea, and came close to signing him back in 2015.

The deal fell through due to a faulty fax machine in the final minutes of the summer transfer window.

However, United have consistently had to look over their shoulder with reports suggesting Real remain intent on making De Gea their new No 1.

Jose Mourinho has repeatedly stated the club have no interest in selling the Spain international.

Real have stuck with Keylor Navas for the past few seasons but they are expected to splash the cash this summer in an attempt to close the gap to Barcelona.

But it looks as though they will have to turn their attention away from signing De Gea.

That’s according to The Times, who claim De Gea has held positive talks with United regarding a contract extension.

His current deal expires in less than 18 months and his representatives have been locked in negotiations with the Red Devils regarding new terms since the turn of the year.
United have the option to extend his contract by one year to 2020, however it is said United are hopeful they can secure a long-term deal worth a reported £220,000-a-week.

De Gea proved how crucial he is for United in Wednesday’s 0-0 draw against Sevilla in their Champions League last-16 first leg with one of the saves of the season from a Luis Muriel header.

And the 27-year-old will have to be at his best once again this Sunday when the host Chelsea

Jose Mourinho in FURIOUS rant at Paul Pogba as tensions grow between Man Utd pair

JOSE MOURINHO has reportedly been involved in a huge bust-up with Paul Pogba during a training session this week.

Pogba was benched for Wednesday night’s Champions League match against Sevilla, with Mourinho preferring Scott McTominay in the midfield three alongside Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic.

It was the latest setback for the France international having been dropped to the bench against Huddersfield in the Premier League earlier this month.

Mourinho has publicly played down rumours of unrest with the midfielder, but there are growing reports the two are at loggerheads.

And it has been reported the Portuguese coach has privately had enough of Pogba’s recent actions.
That’s according to The Sun, who claim the two were involved in a heated exchange during a training session this week.

It is said the 24-year-old asked to speak to the United boss regarding the position he is being played in as well as expressing reports of unrest among his fellow team-mates regarding his tactics.

Mourinho responded by insisting he has not been pleased with Pogba’s attitude in training in recent weeks.

And he then asked Pogba to read the sign above his door of his Carrington office, pointing to the fact he is the boss.

The report goes on to suggest the midfielder is considering a shock exit from United if his relationship with Mourinho doesn’t improve.

It was claimed last week that Real Madrid could reignite their interest in Pogba, having lost out to United back in 2016.

Real Madrid desperate to sell Gareth Bale this summer

And the big reason, according to Marca, is because Real Madrid don’t want him to hold Marco Asensio back.

They are said to believe Asensio is a potential future Ballon d’Or winner while Bale’s recent form has shown he is incapable of reaching that level.

Bale was signed to spearhead Real into a new age, helping them challenge Barcelona after the signing of Neymar and lead the team in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo.

But he has been unable to do so due to injury and inconsistent form.

Bale impressed when initially signing and has won two Champions League titles since arriving in Madrid.

But constant talk of a move back to England has followed his every move.

And now Marca believe Madrid are set to call time on the Wales star’s spell in La Liga and will look to focus on Asensio’s development.

They are said to value Asensio as a potential superstar and think he could win the Ballon d’Or in the future.

Asensio’s future has been called into question after a lack of games this term with clubs in England monitoring his situation.
Asensio broke onto the scene last season and impressed at the under 21 Euros.

Lionel Messi tells team-mates he expects Iniesta exit

BARCELONA star Lionel Messi has reportedly warned team-mates that he expects Andres Iniesta to leave the Nou Camp this summer.

Iniesta underlined his enduring class on Tuesday night by laying on an expert assist for Messi as Barcelona drew with Chelsea in the Champions League.

But his time at the club is coming to an end and his long talked about heir Philippe Coutinho was snapped up in a £142m deal last month.

Iniesta has been the subject of interest from sides in the cash-rich Chinese Super League, where Javier Mascherano recently moved to from Barcelona.

And the latest reports in Spain suggest Messi believes the veteran playmaker will head for the exit door when the season draws to a close.

According to Diario Gol, Messi is aware that Iniesta wants to leave Barcelona on a high.

And he knows he’s keen not to endure playing a peripheral role, just as Xavi did.

That has apparently prompted Messi to tell Barcelona team-mates: “He’s leaving.”

Diario Gol reckon Barcelona’s purchase of Coutinho was aimed at encouraging Iniesta that it’s time to move on.

And they suggest he has taken that hint while having his head turned by the money on offer in China.

Despite his advancing years, Iniesta’s status means he’d command a mega salary in the Far East.

Zidane ready to start overhaul by doing business with Man City

REAL MADRID are contemplating a summer deal for Manchester City star Raheem Sterling, reports claim.
The England international was closely connected with a move to Arsenal last year, but Pep Guardiola never really entertained the possibility.

Sterling has been in sublime form this term, hitting 20 goals in all competitions.

Yet the major concern lies in the fact that negotiations are yet to take place at the Etihad over the 23-year-old renewing his contract.

He will have two years left to run on his current deal at the end of the campaign, however this could persuade other suitors to make a move if negotiations continue to remain at a standstill.
The Daily Mirror report Real Madrid are watching the situation very closely and could make a move.

Zinedine Zidane is believed to be an admirer and it is suggested that he could be tempted into making a move.

Sterling supposedly earns around £180,000-a-week, however the Mirror suggest he would want a big pay rise to stay at City.

Despite his impressive form in front of goal, Sterling admitted recently he still needs to be more clinical.

Jack Wilshere slammed as the most overrated player in the WORLD

MANCHESTER UNITED legend Roy Keane has launched a scathing attack on Jack Wilshere after Arsenal’s match against Ostersunds.

The Gunners progressed to the Europa League last 16 due to their superior goal difference but were handed a shock 2-1 defeat by the Swedish side.

Arsene Wenger opted to rest a number of senior players such as Mesut Ozil, Alexandre Lacazette and Aaron Ramsey with Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City in mind.

But the Arsenal boss was still able to field a line-up capable of beating Ostersunds with Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Alex Iwobi, Danny Welbeck and Wilshere all named in the starting XI.

Sead Kolasinac proved an unlikely scorer for Arsenal in the second half to kill any hopes Ostersunds had of mounting a comeback.

However, it was Wilshere who drew the brunt of Keane’s assessment following the result.

“Where do I start… I think Arsenal are a great example on how not to start a game of football,” Keane said on ITV.

“We can talk about being a shambles but they’re so slow out of the blocks – poor attitude.

“The manager summed it up. No energy, no desire, you’re looking for your senior players to lead by example.

“I always think, when Wilshere’s your captain, to me, probably the most overrated player on the planet.

“And they got lucky with the result at the end of it. But if you start a game slowly, no matter how good you are, it’s hard to get going. You can’t just switch it on and off.”

Luis Suarez makes Steven Gerrard admission about Philippe Coutinho

LUIS SUAREZ has admitted he requested Steven Gerrard to take care of Philippe Coutinho when the forward left for Barcelona in 2014.

The 24-year-old left Anfield having almost helped lead Brendan Rodgers’ side to a first ever Premier League title.

Coutinho was still a young prodigy at the time with Suarez, Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling and Gerrard creating a lethal partnership.

Suarez’s departure left a huge gaping hole in Liverpool’s front-line with Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert coming in as his replacement.

It didn’t work out for either striker on Merseyside, but one player who did step up in Suarez’s absence was Coutinho.

The Brazil international went on to establish himself as one of the world’s most feared attacking midfielders.

And he became Liverpool’s go-to talisman when Gerrard and Sterling left in 2015.

Coutinho has since rejoined up with Suarez at Barcelona having completed his £142million from Liverpool last month.

The Uruguay international has often spoke of his affection for his former club, and he has revealed how he kept a close eye on Coutinho’s performances.
“When the opportunity came up for me to come to Barcelona, I told Gerrard to look after [Coutinho] when I left,” Suarez told Barcelona’s official magazine.

“But then he moved to the Galaxy, so Philippe had to take responsibility himself and he put the team on his back.

“It didn’t surprise me to see him explode as a player because I knew the quality he had, but I admire the responsibility he took on at such a young age.”

MORE FOOTBALL NEWS AND GOSSIP…..

Chelsea are monitoring Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles, 24, and could make a move for the defender in the summer. (Evening Standard)

Juventus have reached an agreement to sign Manchester United full-back Matteo Darmian, 28, in the summer. (Calciomercato – in Italian)

United manager Jose Mourinho is set to make peace with Chelsea boss Antonio Conte when the Red Devils host the Blues on Sunday. Mourinho said in January he will never be “suspended for match-fixing”, having previously made a “clown” remark. Conte responded to Mourinho’s comments, calling him “a little man”. (Mirror)

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba feels harshly treated by boss Mourinho and wants to feel valued again by the Portuguese. (Mail)

Chinese club Dalian Yifang are close to signing West Ham defender Jose Fonte, 34, for £5m, with the Portuguese surplus to requirements under boss David Moyes. (Mail)

Belgium winger Yannick Carrasco, 24, is set to leave Atletico Madrid and join Dalian Yifang for 30m euros (£27m), and a deal could be completed by the end of this week. (Marca)

Atletico Madrid are interested in signing West Ham defender Reece Oxford, 20, who is currently on loan at Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach. The Hammers value the England Under 19 international at £12m. (Telegraph)

Barcelona have decided not to follow-up their interest in Lyon skipper Nabil Fekir, 24, handing the initiative to Arsenal, who have been linked with a £45m move for the midfielder. (Sport)

Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey, 20, wants to continue his development at the Bundesliga club amid interest from a number of Premier League clubs. (Star)

Former Sunderland midfielder Jan Kirschoff, 27, is in talks to join Championship side Bolton until the end of the season. (Sky Sports)

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, 25, has been spotted making visits to a fish and chip shop, a pub and a gym in the city all on the same day. (Liverpool Echo)