With the domestic season getting under way tomorrow through the Community Shield, Premier League teams really are in the home stretch to get their transfer business done.
And there's worrying updates for Man United fans as their club once again seems to be struggling to map out a clear plan of how they'll improve their squad in time for their first game on August 7.
READ MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo announces imminent return to Man Utd action: "Sunday the King plays"
Man Utd '£20million short' of completing transfer for Frenkie de Jong alternative
Manchester United are thought to have turned their attentions to Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as an alternative to Frenkie de Jong as the Dutchman looks set to stay at Barcelona.
However, Milinkovic-Savic's signature is not exactly going to be easy to secure either, given United's opening bid of £42million for the Serbian is expected to fall £20m short of the price tag set by his club. This part of the deal was actually no such issue when it came to negotiating with Barcelona for De Jong.
This is not the first time the Red Devils have registered an interest in Serie A star Milinkovic-Savic; he was also admired by Jose Mourinho when the Portuguese coach was at the helm at Old Trafford.
After eight seasons in Italy, the Daily Mail claims that the 27-year-old Lazio favourite feels his time for a dream move to the Premier League is running out and is therefore keen on making the move to Manchester.
Pep Guardiola responds as No.1 Man City target Marc Cucurella hands in transfer request
The Catalan has refused to comment on whether he is pushing to sign Brighton defender Marc Cucurella.
City are short of options at left-back after selling Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal for £30million, plus a further £2m in add-ons. Guardiola only has Joao Cancelo on the books as an experienced specialist left-back.
Cucurella has long been linked with a move to City, with Guardiola reportedly a fan of the 24-year-old. The feeling appears to be mutual, with reports emerging on Friday that the Spaniard had handed in an official transfer request to Brighton to try and speed up the move.
Asked about the transfer in a press conference ahead of Saturday's Community Shield clash against Liverpool, Guardiola refused to be drawn. “He is a Brighton player. I cannot say anything else,” he said.
Asked more generally whether City would like a left-back, he added: “If it is possible, yes. If not, we stay with what we have. We have enough players who can play there. Joao can play there, Josh [Wilson-Esbrand], Nathan [Ake] can play there.”
READ NEXT:
Manager Graham Alexander departs Motherwell after Sligo Rovers humiliation
Andy Farrell signs contract extension to stay as Ireland head coach until 2025
Jockey Wesley Joyce remains in intensive care following Galway Races fall
Donald Trump defends LIV Golf hosting by insisting "nobody’s got to the bottom of 9/11"
World Cup winner signs for Shelbourne - after encouragement from Arsene Wenger
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
