Manchester United have started talks with Atletico Madrid superstar Julian Alvarez and his agents over a summer move to Old Trafford, according to journalist Marcos Duran, with a potential swap deal even mooted.

Man United‘s main focus so far in the summer transfer window has been on strengthening their midfield, with one deal set to be officially completed next month.

The Red Devils have already agreed a fee with Atalanta and personal terms with Ederson, who is expected to seal his move to Old Trafford next month after the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup.

Having found moves to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest or Aurelien Tchouameni from Real Madrid too difficult to advance, club chiefs quickly identified Mateus Fernandes of West Ham United as their leading target.

Despite the Hammers’ relegation to the Championship, they are in no mood to sell the 21-year-old on the cheap and are demanding between £80-85m for his services, which is double what they paid Southampton for the Portugal international 12 months ago.

The price is proving an issue even though the player is keen on the switch to link up with compatriot Bruno Fernandes at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’, while Tottenham Hotspur’s increasing interest in the player is a problem as they are said to be willing to meet their London neighbours’ financial demands.

United are also looking at other positions too, including the centre-forward spot.

Man United Speak Directly With Julian Alvarez Agents

via Reuters

Samuel Luckhurst reported on Wednesday that United buying a new striker this summer is essential, as they can’t afford to rely on Joshua Zirkzee as a back-up to Benjamin Sesko ahead of their return to the Champions League.

La Liga giants Real Madrid, who had a £130m bid rejected, and Barcelona have both shown interest in prising Julian Alvarez away from Atletico this summer, with the player publicly saying this week that he wants to leave.

Now, Marcos Duran says that a second Premier League club, after Arsenal, in Manchester United have made contact with the Argentina international’s agents over a move.

The journalist says that United are ready to show ambition following their return to the Champions League, but hints that they are unlikely to be viewed as the star’s preferred club.

United Swap Deal Discussed

via Reuters

In a separate post on X, Duran also claims that Atletico and Diego Simeone have an interest in ‘several’ United players, with talks already held for one of them.

A potential swap deal is suggested then, but a move for Alvarez to join United remains ‘complicated’ because of the player’s desire to explore moves to the other clubs interested in his services instead.

Given Real have already had a £130m bid rejected, the Red Devils would need to obliterate their transfer record to bring the Argentine to Old Trafford.

A new update has emerged on the health of Ilia Topuria following his defeat in the main event of UFC Freedom 250, as Justin Gaethje finally captured the UFC Lightweight Championship.

It was a brutal fight on the grounds of the White House with ‘The Highlight’ inflicting a severe amount of damage on Topuria’s face. By the end of the fight, Gaethje’s blows had shut both of the adopted Spaniard’s eyes, which led to the fight was stopped between the fourth and fifth rounds.

The result was shocking, especially as Topuria was undefeated heading into the bout. He had previously finished Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway and Charles Oliveria in devastating fashion. However, this time, he was the one on the receiving end of a barrage of attacks.

Ilia Topuria’s Trainer Provides Update on Physical Condition After UFC White House

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While Topuria did have some bright moments during the fight, mostly in the second round as his work to the body continued to add up, it wasn’t enough to contain Gaethje’s relentless assault.

The fight was almost stopped after the third round due to the damage to Topuria’s eyes. By the end of the fourth, it was too much. Ilia’s post-fight medical report was later leaked to Spanish media, confirming that he had sustained broken orbital bones in both eyes.

Given the severity of his injuries, there has been plenty of speculation over whether ‘El Matador’ will ever be the same again. Although the answer to that question won’t truly be known until he steps into the Octagon, comments shared by Topuria’s physical trainer, Jesus Gallo, indicate that he is healing well and could be on course to make a much earlier return than expected.

In an interview with SerEbro EnlosDeportes, Gallo said, “Day by day, he already looks like a completely different person… He looks like he wasn’t even in a fight, honestly. All the swelling in his face has gone down, every type of bruising he had.”

Topuria’s trainer went on to explain how long it might be until his man fights again:

“After that, for him to start wrestling again, to start doing things again, it’ll take a little while for it to really solidify there. I think we’re talking about at least 2 to 3 months, easily. If you saw us in a rematch or in a fight, it would be toward the end of the year, December. Who knows? We’ll see,” he explained.

What’s Next For Ilia Topuria After UFC White House Defeat?

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Topuria has already challenged Gaethje to a rematch. The question is whether the UFC will opt for that route, as there are other contenders champing at the bit to fight for the title.

Arman Tsarukyan has been the number one contender at lightweight for some time and many think he deserves the next title shot. Tsarukyan hasn’t been in the Octagon since last November, when he made easy work of Dan Hooker.

The highly anticipated bout with Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett could also be a possibility for Ilia on his return. Pimblett takes on Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 329, a win for the Scouser could easily bring him back into top five contention, and land him a bout with Topuria.

It’s remarkable that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are still playing at the World Cup aged 39 and 41, respectively, never mind scoring goals.

Messi currently leads the race for the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot award after scoring five goals in Argentina’s opening two matches of this summer’s tournament, while Ronaldo silenced his critics with two goals against Uzbekistan after drawing a blank against DR Congo.

Cristiano has now scored 145 goals in 230 appearances for Portugal, while Messi has 122 goals in 201 matches for Argentina and recently bagged his 61st career hat-trick. Extraordinary numbers from two players who will always be part of greatest footballer of all time debates.

It’s strange to think that Messi would have been retired from international football for a full decade by now without the pleas from the Argentine public and his teammates.

After Argentina lost the 2016 Copa America final – the fourth major final La Albiceleste had lost in the space of nine years – a devastated Messi, who missed a penalty in the shootout against Chile, announced his retirement.

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“For me, the national team is over,” Messi, who was seen in tears after losing the final, told reporters. “I’ve done all I can. It hurts not to be a champion.”

Aged 29 at the time, and with 113 international appearances to his name, Messi added: “It’s been four finals, I tried. It was the thing I wanted the most, but I couldn’t get it, so I think it’s over.

“I think this is best for everyone. First of all for me, then for everyone.

“I think there’s a lot of people who want this, who obviously are not satisfied, as we are not satisfied reaching a final and not winning it.

Ronaldo’s Reaction to Messi’s Retirement

REUTERS/Darren Staples

After hearing Messi’s emotional reaction to losing, Ronaldo – who was on the verge of winning Euro 2016 with Portugal – offered his view on his long-term rival’s shock decision.

“Messi has taken a tough decision and people should understand,” Ronaldo told Mundo Deportivo, per Sky Sports.

“He is not accustomed to defeats and disappointments, not even finishing second. Missing a penalty does not make you a bad player.

Ronaldo, perhaps the one player on the planet who could truly emphatise with Messi given his own global superstar status, admitted it ‘hurt’ to see Messi in tears – despite the fact they were battling for supremacy week-in, week-out with Real Madrid and Barcelona in La Liga at the time.

While Messi’s absence would have enhanced his and Portugal’s chances of success on the international stage over the next 10 years, Ronaldo made it clear that he preferred it if his rival reversed his decision.