Rumour reel: Man Utd target Bale

Mourinho prepares audacious bid for Welshman

We saw the first major signing of the summer from the Premier League this week as Everton splashed £30m on Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, making him the most expensive British goalkeeper in history.

Pickford, who was a real standout last season, despite his previous employers being relegated to the Championship, told fans when signing a five-year contract at Goodison Park that he was joining a massive club and it was a great opportunity for him. Who will be the next big money deal?

United want Bale, but he’s not keen

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has been working overtime to improve his side in preparation for next season’s Champions League, and The Special One has been linked with a move for this year’s winner Gareth Bale. The Welshman hasn’t featured as much as he would’ve liked for Blancos this term, and came on as a late substitute against Juventus in the Cardiff final, but doesn’t appear to be in a rush to leave the La Liga kings. The 27-year-old told reporters he was confident Real wouldn’t sell him, despite the Red Devils’ interest.

It’s nice to be wanted

Monaco hitman Kylian Mbappe looks to be this summer’s must-have for top European clubs, and the 18-year-old is subject to interest from both Arsenal and Real Madrid, with a host of other big-guns said to be monitoring the situation, including Liverpool. The Frenchman, currently at Monaco, cheekily told sports writers that he would sort through his offers over the summer, and decide where he wants to play his football next term. If Wenger is to prize his top target to English football, it would be a real signal of intent for the under-fire boss, but Mbappe won’t come cheap, with certain tabloids throwing around sums of £120m plus.