United Agree £32.5m Deal For Chelsea Target, Plan Another Bid For Ramos, Valdes To Leave And More

Manchester United have reportedly agreed a fee with Aston Villa to sign striker, Chris Benteke after returning to Madrid with an improved offer for Sergio Ramos.

The Sun chipped in with a report yesterday that United have triggered the £32.5 million release clause of Benteke, with the club confident of completing the deal this week.

The Old Trafford club have been in the hunt for a forward this summer, with Karim Benzema, Gonzalo Higuain and Edinson Cavani and Roberto Lewandowski all linked to the club. But Van Gaal seems to prefer the 24-year old Belgian, and looks to have beat Liverpool to the player’s signature.

Liverpool have shown interest in Benteke in the past, but baulked at his £32.5 million valuation.

Benteke gave hint on Twitter yesterday that he fancies a move to Old Trafford, with the powerful hitman favouriting a tweet linking him with a transfer to United, as per Daily Star.

Sergio Romero is one of the goalkeepers earmarked by Louis Van Gaal as a replacement for Madrid-bound David De Gea. As per Daily Mail, United have entered the race to sign the Argentine, with Roma and Real Madrid also in the race.

The club’s other goaltender, Victor Valdes has not travelled with the squad for their pre-season tour, with boss Van Gaal saying in an explosive rant yesterday that the ex-Barcelona keeper lacks respect and does not follow the club’s philosophy. The Dutchman further said Valdes refused to play in the second team last year.

Valdes himself has hit back at the rants by posting pictures of him after a match with the Red Devils’ U-21, with the caption “respect?”

However, the Metro claims the Red Devils have offered Romero £1.3 million-a-year after tax with further bonuses payments to follow, after holding talks with him on Monday.

This offer beats that of Roma and United would be hopeful of closing the deal this week.

That Man United want Sergio Ramos is no secret, after a couple of bids have been turned down by Real Madrid for the defender despite his willingness to leave the Bernabeu.

The Express are now reporting that United are preparing a final £42 million take it-or-leave it offer on the table for Ramos, who is really determined to leave Madrid this summer.

The Red Devils have completed deals for Memphis Depay, Matteo Darmian, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin so far, in that order.

The additions of Benteke, Ramos and Romero would no doubt make them early favourites for the Premier League crown next term.