Manchester United agree £40m fee for Ivan Perisic

In the Mirror is a story that Manchester United are going to make one final, massive offer for Eric Dier of Tottenham Hotspur. £60m is the sum, and Spurs would do well to take it. He’s young and he’s intelligent, but Spurs have time to find a cheaper alternative, book a healthy profit, and continue along the way up the table. For United, they get their business done early enough to make a difference, and then get a clever, adept and versatile English player. They might also consider using him in defence, and also adding Nemanja Matic if possible.

There’s a problem, though. United might miss out both on Dier and Matic. Spurs don’t have to sell, even if the numbers add on. And then there’s this: Matic is ready to join Juventus, but the Italian club want a lower transfer fee. It now may depend on whether Chelsea want the cash, or to hamper United, more.

I know we have a ban on the Sun, but the ban is broken today because of their exclusive about United agreeing a sum of £40m for the signature of Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic. He’s quick, direct and technically able, so getting him into the squad makes a lot of sense. Imagine if United manage two consecutive, constructive summer transfer windows. Something not achieved since before their last Champions League title.

United have met some celebrities while they’re in America. I know, it’s fascinating/padding, depending on how futile you believe life to be.

And, last of all, after all the rumours and hot football/soccer/futbol chat, we are still talking about Cristiano Ronaldo. Thank the Lord for Jose Mourinho, who has said that it would be ‘impossible’ to sign him from Real Madrid. That’s handy, because those of you who don’t believe life to be futile would join the rest of us if we had to suffer much more of that.