Today's Gossip: United Close In On Perisic; Reds Eye Record Keita Bid

Manchester United are closing in on a deal for Ivan Perisic, while another Premier League club are preparing a £45million package to lure Wayne Rooney, all in Sunday’s papers.

United Close In On Perisic

Manchester United are trying to thrash out a deal for Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic, according to CalcioMercato.

Inter have set a price of €55million for the 28-year-old Croatia international, but United have so far bid just  €40million for Perisic.

The report claims Perisic has agreed personal terms with United and AS report Inter have already lined up a marquee signing to replace the wideman.

Inter want Real Madrid playmaker James Rodriguez, who has also been linked with United. Inter though are willing to spend big and have made a €42million opening offer for James.

United boss Jose Mourinho, who met with Croatian transfer guru Predrag Mijatovic in March, has stepped in to get the Perisic deal over the line, according to the Italian report. And a deal is expected to be agreed soon for Perisic, who scored 10 goals and assisted another six in Serie A this season.

Liverpool Eye Record Keita Bid

Liverpool could break their transfer record to sign RB Leipzig's Naby Keita, with the Mirror claiming the Reds are prepared to bid as high as £50 million to get the box-to-box midfielder.

The Guinea international would command a fee in excess of the £38m they paid for Andy Carroll and could provide extra dynamism in the middle that has been badly lacking whenever Jordan Henderson has been absent through injury.

Keita will be tempted by the £120,000-per-week wages on offer, and should he swap the Bundesliga for the Premier League, the 22-year-old would front a spree that could go beyond £150m and up to £200m.

Similar fees have been mentioned for both Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette -- also linked to Atletico Madrid -- and Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk, meaning the Reds could break their transfer record on three occasions this summer.

Chelsea To Hand Conte £200m Budget

Antonio Conte will pen a new four-year deal at Chelsea before being handed a summer budget of £200m to strengthen his squad ahead of Champions League football next season, according to the Telegraph.

The Italian will pocket £9.6m per season and immediately set out to bring Romelu Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge to add firepower to his side.

Van Dijk is a priority at the back, while Monaco powerhouse Tiemoue Bakayoko is also a target.

Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois could be handed new deals too, as Conte looks to build momentum in a new era at Stamford Bridge.

City To Return To Monaco For Mendy

Manchester City are looking to follow the signing of Bernardo Silva by adding his former teammate Benjamin Mendy, reports RMC and the Mail.

Pep Guardiola will be rivalled by Jose Mourinho and Manchester United though, with both clubs prepared to pay €45m (£39.3m) for the left-back.

The 22-year-old would offer attacking thrust and power, which is seen as essential to Guardiola's plans at the Etihad.

Having already spent up to £60m for Silva, City appear intent on splashing out almost £100m before the market has officially opened with intent to be legitimate contenders for the title under Guardiola next campaign.

Shock Stoke Move For Rooney

Stoke are set to make a shock move to get Wayne Rooney on board next season, according to the Mirror.

Their sponsors Bet365 will fund the £45million package for Rooney, with former United man Mark Hughes desperate to get the 31 year-old on board.

Former Everton man Rooney has said he will not play for another English club and he is thought to favour a return to Goodison. Everton though have not made an enquiry for the player, whilst Rooney has several offers on the table with MLS and China both options.

Stoke though and their chairman Peter Coates, with the backing of his on-line gambling empire, are hoping to tempt Rooney with a project.

Rooney has 12 months left on his United contract, plus the option of another year and his weekly wage is around £300,000 a week.

Others

Swansea and Brighton have stepped back into the chase for Arsenal target Henry Onyekuru, the goalscoring winger from Belgian side Eupen. (Mail)

Diego Costa has said he would only leave Chelsea to join Atletico Madrid, while also confirming he has no interest in moving to China before the next World Cup. (Various)

United are poised to offer manager Jose Mourinho, 54, a new five-year contract. (Daily Express)

West Ham are prepared to meet the £140,000-per-week wage demands of Everton’s England midfielder Ross Barkley, 23. (Star)

West Ham want to sign Sunderland keeper Jordan Pickford and use Adrian as a makeweight in a deal worth around £25m. (Sun on Sunday)

– Thomas Lemar could be the next Monaco star to be sold with Juventus, Atletico Madrid and Tottenham leading the way for the 21-year-old. (L’Equipe)

Rafa Benitez wants to bring Napoli’s Pepe Reina back to the Premier League with Newcastle.(Sun on Sunday)

With speculation over their pursuit of Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann continuing, Manchester United could also move for another striker, 23-year-old Andrea Belotti of Torino. (IBT, via Manchester Evening News)

Chelsea and Arsenal are also interested in Italy international Belotti, who could cost £85m. (Sun)

Jose Mourinho says the club’s hopes of landing Griezmann, 26, this summer rest on executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward. (Daily Mail)

Manchester City are planning to open contract talks with manager Pep Guardiola over a long-term deal beyond the three-year contract he signed on his arrival last summer. (Sunday Mirror)

Injured out-of-contract Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 35, has several offers from other clubs and will definitely stay in Europe, according to his agent. (Sky Sports)

Manchester City and Arsenal are chasing Dinamo Zagreb starlet David Colina. (Sunday People)

Tottenham and Everton could face a £22m battle to sign Hull City defender Harry Maguire, 24. (Sunday People)

Valencia have given up on keeping Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala, 26, with City not willing to accept an offer of below the £15.7m option in his loan contract. (Marca)

Liverpool are ready to challenge Manchester clubs City and United for the signature of Monaco left-back Benjamin Mendy, 22. (RMC Sport, via Liverpool Echo)

Huddersfield boss David Wagner has emerged as a shock contender to take over at relegated Middlesbrough. (Sunday Mirror)

Arsene Wenger will this week finally confirm that he is staying at Arsenal for the next two years. (Sunday Express)

Manchester United face competition from Roma for Benfica’s Sweden international central defender Victor Lindelof, 22, who is valued at £35m. (Sunday Mirror)

Newcastle target Michy Batshuayi, 23, has refused to rule out a loan move next season – insisting he is prepared to “go wherever Chelsea” send him. (Newcastle Chronicle)

Kelechi Iheanacho looks set to leave Manchester City as part of Pep Guardiola’s summer overhaul and West Ham are thought to be interested in the 20-year-old Nigeria forward. (Manchester Evening News)

Burnley are considering a move for Everton striker Oumar Niasse, 27, who has hardly played for the Toffees since a £13m move last year, but scored five goals while on loan at Hull for the second half of this season. (Sunday People)