Depay Arrives To Complete Manchester United Move

Memphis Depay is due to arrive in England on Monday to undergo a medical ahead of completing his move to Manchester United, Goal understands.

United confirmed they had reached an agreement with PSV to sign the Netherlands international on May 7, with Louis van Gaal's side having seen off interest from Premier League rivals Liverpool and Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Depay's agents arrived in Manchester on Sunday evening, with the player set to go through the medical process at the club's Carrington training base later on Monday.

Goal understands the 21-year-old will sign a five-year contract with Van Gaal's side, on wages that will be in excess of six figures a week, while the transfer fee could rise to as much as €42.5 million (£31m) depending on individual and team success.

Depay played his final game for PSV in the 3-2 win over ADO Den Haag, where he was confirmed as the Eredivisie Golden Boot winner, having already secured the title with the Eindhoven club.

Redknapp: Bale Is Like Ronaldo - But He Must Sort Himself Out

Former Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp says Gareth Bale still reminds him of Cristiano Ronaldo, despite his current struggles at Real Madrid, but says he must "sort himself out".

The 25-year-old has been booed by his own fans and criticised by the Spanish press on multiple occasions this season after an inconsistent run of form since the turn of the year.

Redknapp bought Bale from Southampton in 2007 and turned him from a left-back to a winger, and says he needs the freedom to roam if he is to return to his best.

He told AS: "For me, he’s like Cristiano. You’ve got to give him the ball; once he gets it, he’ll gain a yard, then two and put himself in a position where he can shoot with the kind of power that no one has – or dribble through defences which is something that only a few players do in today’s game. I’d give him all the freedom in the world.

"Both of them are players who like to roam freely, Bale slightly behind... They are players who feel more comfortable without any tactical restrictions. It would be amazing to see them both at full speed, 30 or 40 yards out and sprinting towards goal, running at defences."

Redknapp also refuted suggestions Bale has encountered difficulties because of his inability to perform in the same team as Ronaldo, with the 68-year-old pointing to his performances last season.

He added: "When he left to join Madrid, I did worry that he might be left in Cristiano’s shadow. But he did well last season; playing in the role he was given. He scored some extraordinary goals.

"This year, I see he’s getting criticised. He has never received this amount of attention and maybe that’s affected him a little. But he’s got to get over it, be strong and believe that he can turn his situation around."

Bale's problems have drawn comparisons with his start to life at Tottenham, where he went 24 games before winning a game in the side, and Redknapp warned the Wales international he must show great character and bounce back.

"He needs to work hard, learn the language. He’s got to dive in head first. It’s no good for him to be going over whether it would be better if he came back home. He’s at one of the greatest clubs in the world, if not the greatest. This is a man’s world and he’s got to sort himself out.

"Whenever he was a bit low and disheartened, I’d put my arms around his shoulders. 'Give the ball to Gareth,' I’d tell his team mates, in front of Gareth. 'Today, every player out there was afraid of you,' I’d tell him, 'what a great player you are lad.' I’d repeat that and Gareth would always respond well."

Champions Blues Target Brom Win

West Bromwich Albion welcome champions Chelsea to The Hawthorns on Monday safe in the knowledge that they will be playing Barclays Premier League football next season.

A 1-1 draw at Newcastle United last Saturday, along with results elsewhere, guaranteed top-flight status for Tony Pulis’s side.

Pulis was hired as head coach in January with Albion a point above the drop zone but he repeated the trick he mastered during spells with Stoke City and Crystal Palace by guiding them to safety.

Under the Welshman, West Brom have secured 23 points from 16 league matches and Jose Mourinho is full of praise for his opposite number, who earlier this week hailed the Portuguese as one of football's greats.

"If I own an English club, I sign Tony Pulis," Mourinho said. "It's as simple as that; he's a guarantee to achieve what the club wants.

"He has never managed a club that wants to be champion, never managed a club that wants top four, he is always managing clubs that want to survive and want stability.

"Tony is mathematics. His record is absolutely amazing."

West Brom could face a re-shaped Chelsea attack, with Diego Costa in line to play for the first time since 4 April having recovered from a hamstring injury.

In his absence, Costa's team-mates completed their march to the league title, but striking deputies Didier Drogba and Loic Remy only managed a solitary goal between them during this period.

Mourinho has stated that former West Brom youth star Isaiah Brown is poised to make his Chelsea debut, following in the footsteps of midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who impressed after being handed a start in last Sunday's 1-1 draw with Liverpool.

The 19-year-old could feature once more as Ramires (illness), Kurt Zouma (knee) and Oscar (hip/thigh) remain on the sidelines, alongside second-choice goalkeeper Petr Cech (calf).

Ben Foster (knee) is the only absentee in an otherwise fully fit squad for Pulis, although there is some doubt over whether Stephane Sessegnon will be selected after the Benin international was omitted from the squad at St James' Park.

If Chelsea avoid defeat at The Hawthorns they will break Manchester United's record of the fewest losses in a BPL season (five), which has stood since the 1998-99 campaign.

PFA and Football Writers' Player of the Year Eden Hazard is in line to make his 100th top-flight start for the London club.

West Brom: Myhill, Baird, Davidson, Dawson, Gamboa, Lescott, McAuley, Olsson, Pocognoli, Wisdom, Brunt, Fletcher, Gardner, McManaman, Morrison, Mulumbu, Sessegnon, Yacob, Anichebe, Berahino, Ideye, Nabi.

Chelsea: Blackman, Courtois, Ake, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Christensen, Filipe, Ivanovic, Terry, Cuadrado, Fabregas, Hazard, Loftus-Cheek, Matic, Mikel, Willian, Costa, Brown, Drogba, Remy.

Transfer Rumours And Paper Review - Monday, May 18

Here's the top transfer-related stories in Monday's newspapers...

Manuel Pellegrini has told James Milner, who has been linked with Arsenal and Liverpool, staying at Manchester City would be best for the midfielder's career. (Daily Express)

Dick Advocaat will quit Sunderland at the end of the season — even if he completes their great escape. (The Sun)

Birmingham City have made a move to strengthen their striking options by signing free agent Jay Emmanuel-Thomas. (Birmingham Mail)

Liverpool striker Rickie Lambert is being lined up for a sensational return to the south coast by Premier League new-boys Bournemouth. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester City have been warned off a move for £40million rated Wolfsburg midfielder Kevin De Bruyne by the club's CEO who called the playmaker 'unsellable'. (Daily Mail)

Brendan Rodgers wants to sign Manchester City misfit Stevan Jovetic and is ready to launch a £12m offer. (Daily Mirror)

Yaya Toure has been offered a staggering £8million a season to finish his career in the Middle East. The Manchester City midfielder will consider the deal from Al Gharafa in Qatar, which has virtually no income tax. (The Sun)

David De Gea Could Leave Man United This Summer, Admits Van Gaal

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has admitted superstar goalkeeper David de Gea could leave the club this summer.

The Spain international has been targeted by La Liga giants Real Madrid, with recent reports suggesting the 24-year-old has already agreed a five-year contract with his hometown side.

And while Van Gaal conceded the lure of returning home may be too strong for De Gea, the Red Devils boss was adamant the club will put up a fight and hopes his number one will stay at Old Trafford.

Asked about the keeper's future, Van Gaal said: "With every individual transfer there is a process and there will be a process with David de Gea.

"David de Gea shall not leave us so easily because we are a great club and he wants to participate.

"Of course he is Spanish and his girlfriend is Spanish, and he can go to another great club, so it is difficult for him to decide but a big compliment for Manchester United.

"The transfer is an individual thing. He has to decide. We have given [him] a fantastic contract because we want him to stay - He's had a fantastic season."

De Gea was a usual starter for Sunday's 1-1 draw with top three rivals Arsenal, though the Spaniard's afternoon was brought to a premature end after suffering an awkward fall which saw him replaced by countryman Victor Valdes in the 74th minute.

Old Trafford was awash with banners asking De Gea to stay, and during his pre-match warm-up the goalkeeper was seen applauding fans in all four corners of the ground, sparking panic from United supporters who took this as a farewell gesture.

Van Gaal praised the support of the loyal fans, and added they have done all they can to keep De Gea.

"I don't think I can persuade him because he knows everything what he has at Manchester United," said the manager.

"I don't have to say something because he can feel it every day. You have seen the fans, unbelievable.

"When he goes he is losing that. Here he has a lot of credits. He has to decide."

Messi Eulogised After Barca Title Win

Spain's biggest selling sports daily Marca summed it up in Monday's headline after Barcelona wrapped up a fifth La Liga title in seven years and their 23rd overall on Sunday: "Messi's League".

The Argentina forward scored a typically brilliant goal to secure a 1-0 win at Atletico Madrid exactly a year after last season's champions pipped Barca to the title with a 1-1 draw at the Nou Camp on the final day of the campaign.

Barca's latest triumph was the first part of a possible treble of Champions League, domestic league and Cup crowns, which Barca became the only Spanish club to achieve in 2008-09 under Pep Guardiola.

Messi's goal was his 41st in 37 La Liga appearances this term, four behind top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo, whose Real Madrid side are four points adrift of their arch rivals with one game left.

Messi has also made an incredible 17 assists and it has been his scintillating form since the turn of the year, after he broke the La Liga scoring record in November, that has been the main driving force behind Barca's treble charge.

They meet Juventus in the Champions League final on June 6, a week after hosting Athletic Bilbao for the King's Cup final, an impressive achievement for coach Luis Enrique in his first season in charge.

"Right now I am thinking about all those who have helped us win this title, without exception," Luis Enrique told a news conference after the match at the Calderon.

"There are still two titles up for grabs and then we will know what mark we can award ourselves, but winning this league makes us very happy," added the former Barca and Spain midfielder.

Barca's defence, marshalled by Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, has also played its part, conceding a mere 19 goals in 37 La Liga games, while Real leaked 35.

But club talisman Messi predictably dominated Monday's front pages after the 27-year-old again proved decisive when it mattered most.

Exchanging passes with Pedro, he found the tiny amount of space he needed in the crowd of defenders and clipped a precise shot into the corner to make it a Messi's league

Transfer Rumours And Paper Review - Sunday, May 17

Here's the top transfer-related stories in Sunday's newspapers...

Chelsea are planning a shock move for Manchester City's 29-year-old striker Edin Dzeko, with City ready to listen to offers. (Sunday Mirror)

Meanwhile, the Stamford Bridge club's manager Jose Mourinho is also interested in Manchester City's unsettled midfielder Yaya Toure, 32. (Sunday Express)

Everton and Southampton are favourites to sign £10m-rated Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk, 23. (Mail on Sunday)

The Saints are also looking at Burnley defender Kieran Trippier, 24, as a replacement for their Manchester United-bound England international Nathaniel Clyne, 24. (Mail on Sunday)

Former West Ham defender Slaven Bilic is on their managerial shortlist alongside favourite Rafael Benitez in anticipation of Sam Allardyce's expected departure at the end of the season. (Mail on Sunday)

Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller, 25, and Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech, 32 have emerged as transfer targets for Manchester United. (London Evening Standard)

Manchester United's 24-year-old goalkeeper David de Gea will hold a family meeting at the end of the season to decide his future. (Daily Star Sunday)

However, United will struggle to get their money back on De Gea after being warned that Real Madrid are ready to play hardball over the Spanish keeper who they signed for nearly £18m from Atletico Madrid in 2011. (Sunday Mirror)

Manchester United are also looking at Lazio's Brazilian winger Felipe Anderson, 22. (Sunday People)

Portuguese midfielder Nani is reportedly returning to Manchester United after Sporting Lisbon refused to meet the 28-year-old's £15m price tag following a season-long loan in Portugal. (the Sun -subscription required)

Meanwhile, Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has cast doubt on whether £60m record signing Angel Di Maria can turn his form around after a disappointing first season for the winger, 27, at Old Trafford. (Mail on Sunday)

Louis van Gaal wants to bring back Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba to Old Trafford. The France international, 22, left Manchester United to join the Serie A club in 2012 after failing to secure a regular first-team place under former manager Sir Alex Ferguson. (Observer)

Manchester City hope to scupper United's hopes of signing Gareth Bale, 25, from Real Madrid by tabling an £80m bid for the Welshman. (The Sun)

Welshman Bale wants to leave Real Madrid after two seasons in Spain, and the European champions will allow him to depart if they receive a bid of more than £85m. (Sunday Times)

Liverpool are stepping up their pursuit of Asier Illarramendi after Real Madrid officially put the 25-year-old midfielder up for sale. (Sunday People)

Swansea manager Garry Monk hopes to add "five or six quality players" to his squad during the summer transfer window. (Observer)

Maduabuchi, Bashir Begin Lobi Era

Wecan reveal that Lobi Stars will give debuts to a posse of new players, led by former Enyimba skipper and Warri Wolves midfielder, Josiah Maduabuchi as well as ABS legend, Abdulrahman Bashir, during Sunday's match day nine trip at high-flying Wikki Tourists.

The duo were headline acquisitions as Lobi seek to boost their fortunes this term.

Fellow new signings Akleche Enokela from ABS and former Abia Warriors player, Ogu Michael, are also in line to make their debut.

Lobi's need for reinforcements was emphasized by a slow start to the season in which they have failed to record a win in their first eight league games.

Maduabuchi has been assigned number 18, while Bashir will wear 24.

The duo of Enokela and Michael will use 28 and 7, respectively.

"Lobi has good players and I'm here to do my best for the club," Bashir told supersport.com.

With players such as Moses Bunde, Anthony Agbaji, John Huan, Felix Osia, Douglas Arhiv and Obioma Arinze, also at his disposal, manager Justin Tenger, now faces a challenge to accommodate all of his star names in his preferred 4-4-2 formation.

Fans expect a favourable result as Bauchi remains a favourable ground for Lobi.

Arsenal Thwart Man Utd As De Gea Departs

Tyler Blackett's late own goal compromised Manchester United's hopes of automatic Champions League qualification as Arsenal drew 1-1 at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday.

The hosts took the lead when Ashley Young crossed for Ander Herrera to volley home, but Arsene Wenger's side earned a point in the 82nd minute when Theo Walcott's shot nicked off Blackett and looped over United substitute goalkeeper Victor Valdes.

The result kept Arsenal two points above United in third place in the table and the FA Cup finalists can secure a Champions League group-stage berth by winning at home to Sunderland in their game in hand on Wednesday.

Liverpool's 3-1 loss to Crystal Palace on Saturday meant that United were already guaranteed at least a place in the Champions League play-off round, which was the minimum requirement when Louis van Gaal took up his post as manager last year.

But of more pressing concern is the future of goalkeeper David de Gea, heavily linked with Real Madrid and who may have already made his final United appearance after being forced off by injury in the second half.

Arsenal were unchanged for the sixth game running – the first time that has happened since January 1994 – and as has been their approach in recent major showdowns, they were content to let their opponents attack them.

It led to a number of half-chances for United, with Young, Radamel Falcao, Chris Smalling – captain in Wayne Rooney's absence – and Juan Mata all threatening.

A slip at the other end by Phil Jones gave Arsenal a sight of goal, but despite being flat on his front, the United centre-back improvised brilliantly by swiping the ball away from Olivier Giroud with his head.

It was United, though, who were making the running, and they took the lead on the half hour.

Young stood up a cross from the left flank and with two defenders drawn to the giant Marouane Fellaini, Herrera met the ball flush on the volley at the back post to claim his eighth goal of the season.

Exit Falcao

Arsenal failed to muster a single shot on target in the first half and when Giroud's knock-down fell kindly for Alexis Sanchez early in the second, the Chilean shanked a shot high into the East Stand.

The game was a last chance for Falcao to impress the United fans after a frustrating loan spell from Monaco, but he spent much of the first half on his backside, the victim of a slippery pitch, and gave way for former Arsenal striker Robin van Persie on the hour.

The apologetic wave Falcao gave as he left the pitch suggested he will not be seen at Old Trafford again in a United shirt.

Giroud, Van Persie's successor as Arsenal's attacking figurehead, belatedly got in behind the United defence moments later, but after neatly beating Marcos Rojo to Mesut Ozil's cross, he was thwarted by De Gea.

"David de Gea, we want you to stay!" chorused the Stretford End, betraying their fear that the Spain international is destined for Madrid.

When Arsenal did find a way past De Gea, Aaron Ramsey lobbing a shot over him from Sanchez's pass, Rojo was on hand to hook clear.

De Gea had to depart the fray moments later after an awkward landing, enabling the shaven-headed former Barcelona goalkeeper Valdes to come on for his United debut, four months after joining the club.

Valdes had not played a first-team game for over a year and his first task was to pick the ball out of the net after Walcott's shot nicked off fellow substitute Blackett and looped over him.

Both sides had chances to win it, but Giroud could only shoot into the side-netting and Van Persie then ballooned over from Fellaini's knock-down.

Reports - Man United Star David De Gea Agrees Five-Year Real Madrid Contract

David De Gea has agreed a five-year contract with Real Madrid, according to Spanish newspaper Marca.

The Red Devils No.1 has long been admired by Real Madrid and it appears they have finally got their man.

All that needs to be completed, according to the report, is a transfer fee between the two clubs, with United wanting as much as £40million, while Real are keen to keep the figure around £30m.

Louis van Gaal admitted on Friday the club had drawn up a list of possible replacements for the Spanish shot stopper, with Tottenham star Hugo Lloris, Chelsea's Petr Cech and Stoke's Asmir Begovic all of interest.

It's unknown whether the move will open the door to a possible Premier League return for Gareth Bale.