Manchester United hope to land Morgan Schneiderlin before summer tour

Louis van Gaal’s side fly to the States on Monday 
• Southampton value midfielder at around £30m

Manchester United are hopeful of landing Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlinbefore flying to the United States on Monday to start their summer tour as the Saints manager, Ronald Koeman, is keen to replace the midfielder as soon as possible.

Louis van Gaal, the United manager, has had one bid of around £20m rejected by the St Mary’s club, with Koeman valuing Schneiderlin at £27m. However, United believe the player could be acquired for closer to £25m.

While it is understood that a second offer is yet to be lodged for the 25-year-old, United have noted Koeman’s comments on Monday when he signalledSchneiderlin would be sold for the right price.

This was a clear message that the manager is already planning for next season without the Frenchman. Koeman wants to bring in Schneiderlin’s replacement as early as he can and is targeting the Feyenoord midfielder Jordy Clasie. This means there is a view at Old Trafford that the deal can be done in time for Schneiderlin to be part of the touring party though there is a recognition that time is pressing.

Southampton have at the same time signed the defender Cuco Martina from the Dutch side Twente.

Van Gaal has added only Memphis Depay, from PSV Eindhoven, in the summer window. As the manager has just the four tour matches of competitive football before United start the season on 8 August against Tottenham Hotspur, Van Gaal wants to have as settled a squad as possible.

Currently there is a state of flux. The future of Robin van Persie, who may join Fenerbahce, is in the balance so the manager may need to acquire another high-class striker.

Where David de Gea, the No1 goalkeeper and a Real Madrid target, will play next term is unclear. Van Gaal also wants a right-back and centre-back so there is still much work to be done to ensure the manager has the acquisitions he desires.

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Arsenal target Arturo Vidal on the verge of sealing Real Madrid move,

The Chilean enforcer will compete in the Copa America final for his country against Argentina on Saturday night, and a fine season in Italy has sparked interest from several Premier Leagueclubs, namely Arsenal.

Chances of a move to England, though, appear to be slimming as Vickery believes the 28-year-old is closing on a deal with Spanish giants Madrid, with just his signature remaining to complete the deal.

“You could see him doing well in the Premier League, but word in the Chilean press is that the only thing lacking for him to join Real Madrid is his signature on the paper,” Vickery told the Transfer Tavern.

Vidal notched eight goals and four assists for Juventus last season as the Old Lady secured a domestic double with the Serie A and Coppa Italia crowns, before losing to Barcelona in the Champions League final.

Jose Mourinho Set to Snub Hefty Chelsea Pay Hike to Sign New Contract

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has turned down a massive pay rise to remain at Stamford Bridge, but fans of the Blues need not worry about losing the Special One. 

The Sun (h/t Charles Perrin of the Express) claims Mourinho will extend his current contract with Roman Abramovich for two further years, staying on his current £8.5 million annual salary, after rejecting the offer of increasing his wealth. 

A source reportedly told the Sun, regarding the new deal, which keeps the manager in west London until 2019: "It has been an easy deal to do. Jose said he’s happy on the same money as before so we’re just extending the contract by two years. Everyone’s delighted.”

Chelsea fans will be jubilant at the news—and the fact Mourinho appears to be at Stamford Bridge for all the right reasons, rather than increasing his personal financial gain is just an added bonus. 

Football writer Rob Beasley expressed shock at Mourinho giving up the opportunity to sign improved terms:

Mourinho has repeated the success he found at Stamford Bridge during his first tenure at the club, winning the Premier League once again—and positioning the team as England's best.

Despite winning the Champions League after the coach's departure, the club has craved to jump ahead of the EPL's most likely sides once again, and Mourinho has facilitated this. 

The Portuguese manager—who has also managed Inter Milan and Real Madrid to major honours—admitted last term it is not money that motivates him, per Perrin: "I don’t need a contract, I don’t need a pay rise. I stay as long as Mr Abramovich wants me!”

Mourinho has formulated a ruthlessly efficient squad, and it was his decisions in the summer transfer market last year that won Chelsea the league. His side hit 73 goals in their charge to the Premier League title, conceding just 32 times, per Squawka.com.

The additions of Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas highlight just how aware Mourinho is of the task at hand in England, and how to fine tune a good team into a winning side. Even without major additions for 2015-16, Chelsea appear to still be at the front of the queue for silverware, with the team going through a stable period—in terms of transfer movement. 

It is likely Mourinho will bring further success to Stamford Bridge—and it will not cost Abramovich any more to keep the best manager in the business.