Transfer news RECAP: Man United outcast Jadon Sancho’s return to Borussia Dortmund ‘will go through’, while Kylian Mbappe remains coy over his PSG future

Thank you for following Mail Sport’s coverage of today’s done deals and rumours as and when they happened.

It’s goodbye for now but we’ll be back tomorrow morning for more transfer news as and when it happens.

Until then, take care and have a good night!

According to the under-pressure Manchester United manager, the answer is yes.

Speaking on Thursday, the Dutchman revealed that he ha held ‘positive’ talks with United’s new investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe for several hours at the club’s Carrington training base on Wednesday.

Ratcliffe has paid his first visit to the training ground and Old Trafford this week since completing a £1.3billion deal to buy 25 per cent of the club.

The billionaire Ineos owner and his sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford spoke to Ten Hag, his coaching staff and the players at Carrington on Wednesday, and the United manager was encouraged by what he heard.

‘It was very positive, I have to say,’ said Ten Hag. ‘We had a long meeting, so many hours we sit together.

‘On many issues we were on the same page, it was very positive from both sides. I can say that it was a very constructive meeting and we’re looking forward to working with each other.

‘I think it’s very shortly (that Ineos take over football operations) and also we have to let it settle down. They’re just coming in and introducing themselves.

‘They have good ideas. We have to see what we can integrate, in togetherness we will work, but after one day you can’t tell that.

‘They have given me a few (what their ideas are). We have had our debates about strategies and I think we will come together.’

A former Premier League striker has signed for Croatian side Hajduk Split until the end of the season on an 86p salary.

Nikola Kalinic, who was once worth £13million, played a major part in Croatia’s 2018 World Cup campaign, where they finished in second place.

The number nine has been described as one of the best Croatian forwards in the last decade and has played for Blackburn Rovers, Fiorentina, AC Milan, Roma and Atletico Madrid.

But, after starting his career with Hajduk making his debut in the 2005-06 season, he has decided to go back for a third spell.

This came just five months after he departed at the end of his contract, and now at the age of 36 and as a free agent he accepted a €1 (86p) salary.

A few months ago, Leon Bailey was available for other clubs. Now he is seen as indispensable by Aston Villa.

As Mail Sport’s Tom Collomosse writes, the winger is set for contract talks at Villa thanks to his sparkling recent form for Unai Emery’s title challengers.

The Jamaican was among those Villa were willing to let go last summer but he has developed into a key player this term, scoring six goals and providing five assists to help Emery’s men into second, three points behind leaders Liverpool.

So impressive has Bailey been in the autumn and winter that Villa are keen to reward him with fresh terms and elevate him closer to Villa’s top bracket of earners, which includes Emi Martinez, Tyrone Mings, Moussa Diaby and Ollie Watkins.

One Lemina is tearing it up at Wolves and there could be two at the club this month now.

Big brother Mario, 30, is enjoying a fine season at Wolves, having scored in his last two matches for the club in wins over Chelsea and Brentford.

And now he could be joined by his younger sibling Noha, as Mail Sport’s Simon Jones writes.

The 18-year-old Paris Saint-Germain starlet, also a midfielder, is to be recalled from a loan spell with Sampdoria.

In total he’s made 10 appearances in all competitions so far this season, scoring twice in the Coppa Italia Premiavera.

However, the teen has only managed one appearance in Serie B for Sampdoria which has resulted in PSG deciding to recall the youngster.

Tuesday morning: Birmingham City sack Wayne Rooney as manager.

Thursday morning: Birmingham City are in talks with Tony Mowbray over becoming their new manager.

Welcome to the (current) wacky world of the Blues.

As Mail Sport’s Tom Collomosse reports, Mowbray is due to hold talks with the Championship outfit today as the club seek a successor to Rooney.

Since Birmingham removed Rooney, they have been assessing numerous candidates, including Rooney’s former England team-mate Frank Lampard.

The Chelsea great has the profile to appeal to US owners Knighthead, who include NFL icon Tom Brady, although it is unclear whether the Chelsea great would want to resume his management career in the bottom five of the Championship.

Gary Rowett – who managed Blues from 2014-16 – is another of interest along with Nathan Jones, who did an outstanding job during two spells at Luton but struggled in his last post at Southampton and was sacked after three months.

Mowbray is an experienced operator in the Championship. He led West Bromwich Albion to promotion in 2008 and has also had spells with Middlesbrough, Blackburn and Sunderland.

We’ve been here before and we’re here again now. Kylian Mbappe’s future at Paris Saint-Germain and the fact he’s been coying about it.

The 25-year-old deal with the French giants expires this summer after he decided against activating a 12-month clause in his contract.

Real Madrid are perennially linked with the France captain, while Liverpool are rumoured suitors too.

And speaking about his future, Mbappe said on Wednesday night after leading his side to a 2-0 win over Toulouse in the Champions Trophy: ‘First of all, I’m very, very, very motivated for this year. It’s very important.

‘As I said, we’ve got titles to go after and we’ve already won one, so that’s already done. After that, no, I haven’t made up my mind yet.

‘But in any case, with the agreement I made with the chairman [Nasser Al-Khelaifi] this summer, it doesn’t matter what I decide.

‘We managed to protect all parties and preserve the club’s serenity for the challenges ahead, which remains the most important thing. So we’ll say it’s secondary.’

While there is one short-term deal that has been extended in Andros Townsend at Luton (see below post), the same fate hasn’t happened to Sergio Reguilon at Manchester United.

The Red Devils have announced that the Spaniard will return to his parent club Tottenham after United activated a break clause in the loan agreement.

In a statement on their club website, they explained: ‘With fewer games in the second half of the season and injured players returning, there will be less opportunity for Sergio to play. It was decided it was in the best interests of all parties for Reguilon to return to Spurs.

‘The 27-year-old defender leaves United with our appreciation for his contribution and best wishes for the future.’

Speaking about his departure, the left back wrote on X: ‘It has been great to play for Manchester United and I just want to say thank you to the club, the fans and my team-mates. It was a privilege to play for this huge club. I wish all the best for the Red Devils.’

Christmas may be over, but Andros Townsend has had a belated present in the shape of a new long-term contract at Luton Town.

The winger, 32, signed a short-term deal last summer which was due to expire this month.

However, the Hatters have extended his stay at Kenilworth Road after impressing there.

‘Three months ago I thought my career was over,’ Townsend said.

‘So from going to begging around the world just for a trial to being offered a longer contract is a dream come true.’

After his exit from Everton, Townsend signed a three-month deal at Kenilworth Road, and despite not playing a competitive match since March 2022, he has impressed on the pitch, with 11 Premier League appearances, two assists and one goal, the winner in their home game against Newcastle just before Christmas.

Our daily transfer gossip column – which you can read first thing every morning, by the way – has plenty of mumurrings involving big sides. Some of the key rumoured reports are..

Borussia Dortmund are optimistic about signing from Chelsea, despite the fact that both clubs are yet to settle on a permanent deal or loan agreement. (Telegraph)Bayern Munich are willing to pay the £15m release clause to sign Stuttgart forward Serhou Guirassy as they look to pair him with Harry Kane up front. (Goal)AC Milan are interested in signing Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran this month, but the Serie A side will have to sell a non-EU player in order to bring him in. The 20-year-old has been frustrated in his bid for game time by the form of Ollie Watkins. (Sky Sports)

It should come as no surprise, really. Liverpool have a shortage at left back currently and what position have they had an enquiry for? Yes, left back.

The interested party? Rangers. The player in question? Owen Beck. The outcome? A rebuffal.

As our Transfer Guru, Simon Jones detailed this morning; the 21-year-old great nephew of former Liverpool striker Ian Rush has just been recalled to Anfield from an impressive loan spell with Dundee.

However, Liverpool need him as cover for Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas

That’s right, Sancho’s Manchester United exile is nearly over.

And as of just now, reports from German newspaper Bild claim that a loan until the end of the season is close to being a done deal.

Their report says only tax details have to be sorted out now and he could report to Dortmund’s winter training camp in Marbella as soon as Friday – with the Bundesliga outfit paying a £2.6million.

How are we? Hope you all had a brilliant festive break! With the New Year in full swing that can only mean one thing in the football world: the January transfer window being open.

Stay tuned with Mail Sport throughout today as we bring you all the latest done deals and mumurings that occur this Thursday.