Today's Gossip: United Eye Trio As Griezmann Alternatives; Ozil Set To Sign New Deal

Manchester United are reportedly closing in on the signing of a £35m defender, while an Arsenal playmaker is set to pen a bumper new deal at the club, according to Friday’s papers

Man United Expand Search For Attacking Options

Manchester United are wasting no time after sources told ESPN FC the club were cooling their interest in Antoine Griezmann, with the Independent linking them to Andrea Belotti, Alvaro Morata and Romelu Lukaku.

However, the Independent also reports that the deal for Griezmann could be revived later in the summer, and the player is braced for more interest from United. In the meantime, a move for Real Madrid's Gareth Bale could also materialise as the Old Trafford club look to land a big-name signing.

In addition, manager Jose Mourinho wants to strengthen more than one area of his squad ahead of next season and is close to completing a deal for defender Victor Lindelof, according to Portuguese newspaper Record.

Lindelof, 22, has long been linked with a move to Old Trafford from Benfica and could be set to complete a deal for €30 million plus a further €5m in bonuses.

Wenger Ready To Splash Cash On Mbappe, Lacazette

Things are happening at Arsenal after Arsene Wenger's new contract, starting with the pursuit of Kylian Mbappe, with L'Equipe reporting a €100m bid for the Monaco striker.

Manchester City and Real Madrid had been the main clubs said to be interested in the 18-year-old, but after scoring 24 goals in all competitions, as Monaco won Ligue 1 and reached the Champions League semifinals, he finds himself wanted by Wenger alongside Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette.

Mesut Ozil is seemingly impressed by Wenger's plans, and the Sun claims a new £280,000-a-week contract has been agreed with the Germany international. Arsenal haven't given up hope of a similar resolution being reached with Alexis Sanchez but there is no movement there ... yet.

Liverpool Rebuffed In Salah Bid

Liverpool, fresh from new CEO Peter Moore saying they will spend wisely this summer, have seen a £28m bid for Roma's Mohamed Salah rejected, according to the Mail.

The English publication writes that former Chelsea winger Salah is keen to return to the Premier League but also reports that Roma will hold out for an offer of £40m for one of their star players.

The 24-year-old Egypt international was never given much chance to show what he can do while a Chelsea player. But he has impressed tremendously for Roma and contributed 15 goals and 11 assists in 31 Serie A appearances last season, as the Giallorossi finished a close second behind Juventus.

Liverpool's spending is unlikely to stop with Salah. The Mail also claims that Virgil van Dijk, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are the other names on manager Jurgen Klopp's ambitious list of targets.

United Closing In On Defender

Manchester United will reportedly sign 22-year-old centre-back Victor Lindelof from Portuguese champions Benfica this summer.

The Swedish star, who has won 11 caps for his country, had been heavily linked with a switch to Old Trafford in January but the deal could not happen due to a payment that was still owed to Lindelof’s old club Vasteras.

According to Portuguese publication Record, the Red Devils and Benifca have reached an agreement of around £35million for the defender, who only signed a new deal with his current club in March.

Lindelof is expected to sign a long-term contract at United and will immediately push for starting spot at Old Trafford.

Ozil Poised To Sign New For Arsenal Deal

Mesut Ozil is reportedly ready to sign a new contract at Arsenal, following Arsene Wenger’s decision to stay at the club.

The German playmaker, whose contract runs out next year, has been offered an incredible £280,000-a-week salary to remain at the Emirates, according to the report in The Sun.

Ozil was said to be holding out for £350,000-a-week, but he is reportedly prepared to cut a deal with the Gunners this summer.

Wenger is also hopeful that he can persuade star striker Alexis Sanchez to stay but the Chilean is said to favour a fresh challenge.

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Others

Jose Mourinho is set to make a move for £50m-rated Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette after Man United cooled their interest in Atletico Madrid hitman Antoine Griezmann (Daily Mirror)

Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez has joined Valencia in the £18m race for Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala and he also wants £10m Fernando (The Sun)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is staying at Borussia Dortmund, according to the club, while PSG were reportedly ready to complete a £61m move for the forward (Daily Mirror)

Everton are hoping their £100m valuation will stave off interest in Romelu Lukaku as they brace themselves for offers from Chelsea and Manchester United (The Sun)

Arsenal have reportedly offered Monaco a huge £87m for much sought-after striker Kylian Mbappe (Daily Star)

Southampton have slapped a huge £70m price tag on sought-after skipper Virgil van Dijk (Daily Mirror)

Liverpool have had a £28m bid for Mohamed Salah rejected by Roma with the Italian club looking for closer to £40m for the ex-Chelsea winger (Daily Mail)

Chelsea are lining up a bid for Juventus left-back Alex Sandro (The Sun)

Newcastle are set to miss out on Pepe Reina this summer as the goalkeeper’s agent insists he will stay in Italy ‘until the end of his contract’ (Daily Mail)

Defensive prospect Patrik Raitanen has joined Liverpool from FC Jazz on a four-year contract (The Sun)

Manchester United are keen to sign Ryan Sessegnon, the Fulham 17-year-old who is yet to sign a professional deal at his current club (Daily Telegraph)

Newcastle are in talks with Chelsea to land striker Tammy Abraham on loan (The Sun)

Chelsea believe they can fend off Manchester United in a £43m Tiemoue Bakayoko bidding war, with Blues striker Michy Batshuayi an option in a swap deal (Daily Mail)

West Ham’s summer wish list includes Southampton’s Dusan Tadic, Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho and Chelsea’s Michy Batshuayi (The Sun)

Tottenham have moved to turn goalkeeper Pau Lopez’s season-long loan into a permanent deal and have offered Espanyol £1.74m plus add-ons (The Guardian)

Chelsea have been in talks with Lyon’s president over their midfielder Corentin Tolisso, according to reports (The Sun)

Roma are exploring a move for Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart (Daily Mail)

Everton are weighing up a £20m double move for Arsenal striker Lucas Perez and Malaga’s highly-rated Sandro (The Sun)

Chelsea have enquired about Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli as they search for a number two goalkeeper following the departure of Asmir Begovic (Daily Mail)

Newcastle are trying to seal a £15m deal for Sporting Lisbon defender Ruben Semedo before Southampton jump in (The Sun)