Done Deal! Man United Set To Announce Second Signing

Manchester United have reportedly agreed personal terms with Benfica winger, Anderson Talisca ahead of a potential £20million deal.

The Brazilian winger is regarded as one of the best young midfielders in Europe, due to his solid impressive displays that has drawn a couple of clubs to his signature.

The 23-year-old spend last season on loan at Turkish giants, Besiktas, churning out impressive performances, netting 17 goals in 33 matches and he is expected to spend another season on loan in Turkey but there are reports that Manchester United are keen on landing him on a permanent deal this summer.

It is understood that Talisca has a £20million release clause in his current deal with Besiktas but the Turkish side have not shown interest in signing the midfielder on a permanent deal this summer.

Reports in Turkish newspaper AMK claim that the Red Devils have contacted Benfica about the possibility of signing Talisca this summer and are ready to offer a good deal to lure the player to the Old Trafford.

United boss, Jose Mourinho is said to be a long-term admirer of Talisca, who had earlier admitted that he is dreams of playing at the Old Trafford in the near future.

Rapper, Drake and footballer, Didier Drogba reunite (photo)

Ex-Chelsea player, Didier Drogba, 38, took to his Instagram page to share a photo of him and rapper, Drake, as they 'reunited' backstage for Drakes's 'Boy Meets World' tour at the O2 arena in London on Tuesday. The last time the pair met was in 2012 after the 2-1 win against Benfica at Stamford Bridge where Drake claimed Drogba was his best football player.

Drogba captioned the photo:

''Reunion @champagnepapi  and #ats #theboymeetsworldtour #2017''

Jose Mourinho Celebrates 54th Birthday With Cake On Manchester United Team Bus (Photo)

Jose Mourinho received the perfect birthday present as Manchester United secured their place in the EFL Cup final on Thursday night. But the Red Devil’s boss could only muster a half-hearted smile as he celebrated turning 54.

The Portuguese manager was presented with a birthday cake on the team bus as United headed home from Yorkshire following their defeat to Hull City.

Their 17-game unbeaten run may have come to an end with a 2-1 semi-final second leg defeat to the Tigers, but United had done enough in the first leg to progress.

Breaking: Martial on his way out of Old Trafford

Jose Mourinho is unhappy with Anthony Martial and the forward’s future at Manchester United beyond the summer is uncertain, Sky sources understand.

Mourinho has made it clear he has plenty of options in wider positions with Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingaard, Henrikh Mkitaryan, Ashley Young having all been utilised in those areas this season.

United are also expected to bolster their attacking options in the summer, which would raise serious questions about the future of a player who has scored just two Premier League goals in the current campaign.

Martial, meanwhile, is understood to be happy at Old Trafford and does not want to leave the club.

Reports had suggested the French star is unhappy at recent criticism from Mourinho, who was disappointed with the 21-year-old’s performance against Liverpool and left him out of the matchday squad for Wednesday’s EFL Cup semi-final defeat to Hull.

While Martial will remain at United this month, his future in the next transfer window is far less certain unless he starts to deliver what his manager is asking for.

Earlier this month, it was claimed by Martial’s agent that Sevilla were interested in taking the player on loan but the move did not materialise.

Iwobi could be like Payet in a few years, claims Henry

The former Gunners striker has backed up Arsene Wenger by insisting that the Premier League title hopefuls do not need the wantaway West Ham forward

Thierry Henry says Arsenal have no need to sign Dimitri Payet during the January transfer window as Alex Iwobi can be as good as West Ham’s wantaway Frenchman.

Payet is pushing for a move away from London Stadium, with a return to former club Marseille seemingly his most likely destination.

Arsenal have also been linked with the talented 29-year-old, with Arsene Wenger rarely out of the market for creative influences in the final third of the field.

The Gunners boss has, however, been quick to play down any suggestion that he could be tempted to table a bid for a prized asset on the books of a Premier League rival.

Arsenal legend Henry understands that stance, with a man who netted a club record 228 goals  during his time in north London of the opinion that Nigeria international Iwobi should be allowed to work on fulfilling his potential without seeing his path blocked.

Henry told Sky Sports: “I don’t think Arsenal need a player like Payet at the moment.

“They have Iwobi who could be like Payet in a few years’ time, he has been good for Arsenal playing through the middle.

Iwobi needs games to fulfil his potential and signing a player like Payet could limit his playing time, and it could spell doom for his development.”

Iwobi made the breakthrough at Emirates Stadium last season, making his debut in a League Cup clash with Sheffield Wednesday in October 2015.

He ended the campaign with two goals in 21 appearances across all competitions, and has added another three to that tally this term.

At just 20 years of age, there is still plenty of time for him to work on his game and bring the consistency to his performances that the likes of Payet have been showing in the Premier League for some time.

Source: www.goal.com