Football transfer rumours: Vidal and Kluivert to Manchester United?

Today’s gossip feels like a shell of itself

Perhaps having twigged that Nemanja Matic’s legs move at about half the speed he thought they did, José Mourinho has made signing an energetic midfielder who can disguise Paul Pogba’s contempt for defensive midfield play a priority. And the name he has scrawled on a piece of paper and shoved into Ed Woodward’s top pocket is Arturo Vidal. The Bayern Munich box-to-box schemer would have a Chilean best mate waiting for him at Old Trafford in the form of Alexis Sánchez. He’d also have only a year left on his contract so wouldn’t cost the price of the moon on a stick either. Real Madrid’s Mateo Kovacic is still a target too but they will face a battle with Spurs for his signature.

Meanwhile, 20 years after Patrick Kluivert made Alex Ferguson’s lid rattle by snubbing the chance to move to Old Trafford, the Dutch legend’s son, Justin Kluivert, looks like he will do what his dad did not, and join Manchester United. It says here that the club are in advanced talks to sign the 18-year-old from Ajax for around £10m. Renowned nurturer of youth Mourinho is quite a fan. And reports here suggest Marcus Rashford would be so delighted at Kluivert’s arrival he would instruct his people to find him another club.

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