Why £21m Barca star snubbed Man Utd

A round-up of today’s transfer gossip and football stories from around the newspapers.

THE SUN:

Former Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba has warned Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho a player could die if he tries to stop a doctor going on the pitch.

DAILY STAR:

Manchester United have suffered another blow as Southampton have ruled out selling Senegal striker Sadio Mane, 23.

MIRROR:

Barcelona star Pedro turned his back on a move to Manchester United after reportedly being warned about Louis van Gaal’s brutal style of management at Old Trafford.

GUARDIAN:

Telephone conversations with Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and midfielder Cesc Fabregas persuaded Barcelona forward Pedro, 28, to snub long-standing interest from Manchester United and move instead to Stamford Bridge in a deal that will be worth £21.2m.

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge, 25, is expected back at Anfield this weekend after a successful rehabilitation process in the United States following hip surgery and could make his first-team comeback at Manchester United on 12 September.

INDEPENDENT:

Wolfsburg will sell Kevin De Bruyne, 24, to Manchester City if the club meet their asking price of £57m for the Belgian midfielder.

DAILY TELEGRAPH:

David Sullivan, West Ham United’s co-owner, says a deal had been agreed to sign Cameroon midfielder Alex Song, 27, from Barcelona if the player can pass a medical.

METRO:

Sunderland have been made the odds-on favourites for relegation – by their own shirt sponsor Dafabet.