Rumour reel: Liverpool and Barca locked in dispute over Coutinho

Bale to United back on the cards

We thought we’d heard the last of this one, but the Gareth Bale to Manchester United story has crept back into the news again. It’s no secret Jose Mourinho wants a big-name player to finish off his summer recruitment drive, and has been linked with the likes of Ronaldo, Neymar and Bale in recent months. The Neymar story was a non-starter, but it was believable Ronaldo could be swapped for David de Gea plus cash. Madrid are long-term admirers of the United shot-stopper, but Jose spoke to the press recently, saying his goalkeeper is going nowhere this season. So, that put an end to that. But, with Real Madrid likely to make a £160m bid for in-demand scorer Kylian Mbappe, that could force Bale to move on. The player has already hinted he’d welcome a move to Old Trafford, if pushed out of Spain, and we’re sure there’s more to come on that one.

Villa to cash in on Hutton

Scotland defender Alan Hutton is now in the final year of his contract at Aston Villa, and it’s thought his employers will look to cash in on the right-back, now 32 years old, rather than risk losing him for free later down the line. The former Rangers man is not without his admirers either, Championship clubs Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland said to be interested. Hutton played for The Black Cats on loan in 2010, and would welcome a return, with the recently relegated club aiming to force their way back up to the Premier League at the first time of asking. Villa supporters wouldn’t let their favourite go without a fight.

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