Manchester United transfer news LIVE: Final deadline day, Red Devils will not abandon Marcus Rashford amid PSG links, Michael Olise update
Money money money
A record £7.6bn was spent on international transfer deals in 2023, according to a new FIFA report.
English clubs led the way, spending £2.3bn during the January and summer windows last year, out of a total that surpassed the previous single-year record set in 2019 by more than £1.5m.
Unsurprisingly, Chelsea were identified as Europe's biggest spenders on international deals, with five other English teams in the top 10 and another five in the top 20.
The top 10 player transfers alone generated more than 10 percent of the total amount spent on transfer fees in 2023.
FIFA's top 10 included Jude Bellingham's move to Real Madrid, Enzo Fernandez's move to Chelsea and Rasmus Hojlund's move to Manchester United. An English team was the purchasing club in six of those top 10 deals.
Olise Update
Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson has opened up about the future of rumored Man United target Michael Olise.
He said: “My view is that it would be a sad day for the club (if he left).
“I'm sure the club would like him to fulfill (his long-term contract) and improve the team with players like him.
“We need to strengthen the team and not lose it to other Premier League clubs who are putting some money on the table.
“But at the moment that's not our concern, it's these (next) games. I am certainly counting on him to play his part and the summer will have to take care of itself.”
Pellistri will leave
Manchester United ace Facundo Pellistri is set to complete a loan move to Granada.
The BBC reports that the 22-year-old Uruguay international is expected to join the La Liga side soon.
Pellistri, whose contract expires in 2025, has been a peripheral figure at United and could leave the club permanently this summer.
Neville Rashford's advice
Manchester United legend Gary Neville has told Marcus Rashford to “relax and calm down” amid continued scrutiny surrounding his personal life.
Neville told BBC Breakfast: “For me, going out for a drink or a night out is something every football player will do and should do, so I have no problem with that. They need to have fun.”
“It's just about choices and timing. Manchester United just had a winter break. They had a couple of weeks off, so there was a better time for him to choose to go out. I would say, go out and have your Moment in the that you relax with your friends, but the moment has to be right.
“Marcus himself knows it, he is now an experienced player, we are not talking about a young boy, but he has done it a couple of times in recent months.
“I've always seen Marcus to be really responsible, a good professional and someone who works hard every day. I know he's going through a downturn right now, but it's happened twice and sometimes it can become your personality if you're not careful.
“If you do it too many times, people may start saying, 'What's going on in his life?' “He just needs to relax, calm down, choose when to go out and get back to playing football at the level we know he can.”
