MU recruits defender at record price; HAGL welcomes Xuan Truong back home

MU recruits Wan-Bissaka at record price for defender

BBC, Sky Sports and The Guardian reported yesterday that Man United had signed Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace for £50 million. The deal was made clearer when Man United photographer Craig Norwood confirmed that Bissaka had arrived in Manchester.

Norwood only reports on MU transfers when deals are certain to be finalized. Wan-Bissaka needs to complete the final procedure of a medical examination, then sign a contract with the "Red Devils". He will surpass the legendary Rio Ferdinand to become the most expensive defender in MU history. In 2002, Ferdinand arrived at Old Trafford for 40.31 million pounds (according to Transfermarkt).

Wan-Bissaka is the Premier League's top defender prospect.

According to Goal, the actual amount MU had to pay Crystal Palace for the 21-year-old defender's signature was £55 million. Thus, Wan-Bissaka became the most expensive full-back in the history of world football.

Wan-Bissaka first appeared in the Premier League in the 2017/18 season. At that time, he only played 7 games, mostly from the bench. A year later, Wan-Bissaka matured to become a mainstay of Crystal Palace. He played 39 games in all competitions and was rated by experts as the world's top right-back prospect.

The 21-year-old defender is likely to take the starting spot at Old Trafford as MU is short of personnel on the right wing. Antonio Valencia left after the 2018/19 season, Ashley Young does not meet the professional requirements due to his old age, while Diogo Dalot is still inexperienced.

Wan-Bissaka is MU's second new player in the 2019 summer transfer market. Previously, midfielder Daniel James arrived at Old Trafford from Swansea.

VFF wants coach Park to stay with Vietnamese football for another 3 years

VFF General Secretary Le Hoai Anh had a meeting with Mr. Lee Dong Jun - representative of coach Park Hang-seo - about re-signing the contract with the Korean strategist.

At the meeting, the two sides acknowledged and appreciated the coordination and mutual support in ensuring and creating the most favorable conditions for Coach Park Hang-seo's work since taking charge of the Vietnam National Team and U23 Team until now.

Based on the contributions and achievements that Coach Park Hang-seo has made with the national team and the National U23 team as well as the love of many fans for the Korean coach, VFF and Coach Park Hang-seo's representative both expressed their goodwill to continue to cooperate and coordinate to create the best conditions for Coach Park Hang-seo to contribute to Vietnamese football.

Will coach Park Hang Seo continue to be involved with Vietnamese football?

If he continues to work with Vietnamese football in the future, coach Park will likely have his salary more than doubled, to 50,000 USD/month.

VFF also affirmed that Coach Park Hang Seo's salary is not a big problem and will be arranged properly, despite the recent resignation of VFF Vice President in charge of finance - Can Van Nghia.

HAGL confirms welcoming Xuan Truong back home

HAGL team leader Nguyen Tan Anh confirmed that Xuan Truong left Buriram to return home to reunite with Tuan Anh in the HAGL midfield in V-League 2019.

Previously, Thai press simultaneously published information that Luong Xuan Truong proactively left Buriram United due to not playing regularly during the past time.

Besides, the Thai team also recently recruited another Southeast Asian player to play in the same position as the Vietnamese midfielder, Kevin Ingreso (Philippines).

Returning to Vietnam is also an opportunity for Xuan Truong to regain his position in the eyes of coach Park Hang Seo in the national team when he has played a lot in the V-League.

Fans of the mountain town team hope that the "golden" duo in the midfield of HAGL, Tuan Anh - Xuan Truong, will be recreated in the upcoming rounds of V-League 2019. At this time, Tuan Anh is also gradually regaining his best form after a long time of treating a persistent injury.

The deadline for registering additional players in the second leg of V-League 2019 is July 8, so HAGL has plenty of time to register Xuan Truong to return to the highest domestic tournament, and the midfielder from Tuyen Quang also has enough time to get used to the climate and playing style of HAGL, which is already too familiar.

Up to this point in V-League 2019, HAGL is ranked 10th on the rankings with only 15 points after 13 rounds, scoring 19 goals but also conceding 21. The team from the Mountain City is currently only 4 points above the relegation zone and the return of Xuan Truong is certainly a quality addition in the second leg of V-League 2019.

Hanoi FC and B. Binh Duong received "huge" bonuses

Hanoi Club and Binh Duong Club have surpassed 12 neighboring teams to participate together in the final match of AFC Cup 2019 in Southeast Asia.

Two representatives of Vietnam, Hanoi FC and Binh Duong FC, have defeated 12 neighboring teams to participate in the final match of the AFC Cup 2019 in Southeast Asia. This is also the first time that two teams from the same country have participated in the regional final match, since the AFC Cup changed the qualifying round format.

Hanoi and Binh Duong clubs enter the final round of the AFC Cup Southeast Asia. Graphics: Minh Phuc.

Immediately after the end of the second leg of the semi-final and winning tickets to the final of the 2019 AFC Cup Southeast Asia, Binh Duong Club and Hanoi Club received congratulations from the VFF leaders. At the same time, both teams were awarded 300 million VND by the VFF.

According to the AFC Cup schedule, Hanoi FC and B.Binh Duong will compete in the final with the first leg taking place at the end of July (July 30 or 31) and the beginning of August (August 6 or 7). The winning team will advance to the quarter-finals of the AFC Cup 2019.