Rumour Mill: Manchester United open talks with Bayern Munich for Jerome Boateng, record fee expected for Harry Maguire

RUMOUR MILL: United are set to pounce on a Bayern Munich superstar after his celebrity lifestyle has ruffled the feathers of the German champions.

Bayern Munich's defender Jerome Boateng.

MANCHESTER United have had a relatively underwhelming pre-season.

A string of timid performances on the pitch, followed by transfer turmoil off it.

But as the pressure begins to mount on Jose Mourinho, the Red Devils boss has reportedly

opened talks to sign World Cup winner Jerome Boateng from Bayern Munich.

Obviously keen on tightening up the leaky defence, the United gaffer is also ready to make a world record bid for Leicester centre-back Harry Maguire.

All that and more in another edition of Rumour Mill...

TRANSFER REPORT CARD: BIG GUNS ‘ON HOLIDAY’, NEWCOMERS NAIL IT

RUMOUR MILL: SENSATIONAL DEAL ONLY ‘48 HOURS’ AWAY

UNITED OPEN TALKS WITH BOATENG

According to reports in Germany, Manchester United have opened talks with Bayern Munich to sign Jerome Boateng in a sensational eve-of-deadline day deal.

Reports by the Metro suggest Bayern want £44 million (A$77 million) for the German’s services, with the 20-time League winners in a race against the clock to get the deal over the line.

Jerome Boateng poses for a photo with his daughter after winning the World Cup in 2014.

Munich-based tabloid Tz is reporting Bayern bosses are fed up with the 29-year-old and are prepared to get rid of him because of his ongoing public friendship with US rapper Jay-Z.

The 2014 World Cup winner became the first professional footballer to sign with Jay-Z’s marketing agency Roc Nation Sports, which has ruffled the feathers of the German champs.

UTD’S EMBARRASSING STATS FAIL IN POOR END TO PRE-SEASON

Jerome Boateng (L) congratulates opening goalscorer Robert Lewandowski during the UEFA Champions League.

RED DEVILS PREPARE WORLD RECORD FEE FOR MAGUIRE

Manchester United are preparing to make a bid for Harry Maguire before the Premier League transfer window closes on Thursday, according to Sky sources.

The Leicester and England defender is believed to be Jose Mourinho’s top target as he looks to put the finishing touches to his side ahead of the new season.

DONE DEALS: ‘NEW MAHREZ’ SIGNS, PL SIDE SMASH CLUB RECORD

United are understood to be aware that they will have to pay a new world-record fee for a defender if they want to take the 25-year-old from the King Power Stadium, however.

The current record is the £75 million (A$132 million) Liverpool paid to sign Virgil van Dijk from Southampton earlier this year.

- Sky Sports

Harry Maguire celebrates after scoring for England during the 2018 World Cup.

JOSE LOSES OUT ON MINA

Yerry Mina is set to sign for Everton from Barcelona for £28.5 million (A$50 million) after the two clubs reached a deal.

The Toffees have swooped in for the centre-half after his talks with rivals Manchester United were called off.

The Sun recently reported that Mina had agreed personal terms with the Red Devils, but the deal clearly stalled and Everton came in to sensationally pinch the player from under United’s nose.

Mina was one of Colombia’s best players at this summer’s World Cup, which came after a disappointing season in Spain.

The 23-year-old made just six appearances for Barca after joining from Palmeiras in January.

- The Sun

Colombia's defender Yerry Mina celebrates after scoring against England in the World Cup.

PREMIER LEAGUE TRANSFER CENTRE: DONE DEALS, INS/OUTS

ALDERWEIRELD ‘48 HOURS’ AWAY FROM UNITED MOVE

United are set to complete a £60 million (A$105.5 million) move for Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld in the next 48 hours, says the Sunday Mirror.

The Red Devils had previously been unwilling to meet Spurs’ £75 million (A$132 million) valuation of the 29-year-old, but a breakthrough now appears to have been reached between the two clubs.

The Belgian has had one foot out the door at White Hart Lane since losing his regular starting spot last season under Mauricio Pocchetino.

- Sky Sports

Toby Alderweireld of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates his sides third goal against Swansea City in 2017.

MARTIAL AND WILLIAN SWAP DEAL

In an attempt to lure Willian to Old Trafford, Manchester United are willing to offer the out-of-favour Anthony Martial to Chelsea in a possible swap deal.

According to the Daily Mail, both speedsters are valued at around £75 million (A$132 million) so both clubs could be willing to agree on a no-cash swap.

Anthony Martial and Willian go up for a header.

While Willian has received plenty of attention from clubs across the world, including offers from Barcelona and Real Madrid, it’s Martial who is particularly keen for a fresh challenge after two turbulent years under Mourinho.

By all accounts, the United boss is eager to get rid of Martial after his decision to leave the club’s pre-season tour of the US, and a possible dream reunion with Willian could be the fix to the 55-year-old’s underwhelming pre-season.

EX-PL STAR TARGET OF VILE RACIAL ABUSE

‘TREMENDOUS’ HONDA SIGNING ‘JUST THE BEGINNING’ FOR A-LEAGUE

Originally published as Rumour Mill: Manchester United open talks with Bayern Munich for Jerome Boateng, record fee expected for Harry Maguire