Man Utd transfer news: Paul Pogba, Matthijs de Ligt, David de Gea, Romelu Lukaku, Jadon Sancho, Eric Bailly
Old Trafford chiefs will begin contract talks with French star Pogba
Pogba wants a big deal
Manchester United will try to fend off interest from Real Madrid by sitting down for contract talks with star midfielder Paul Pogba.
The French World Cup winner has this season been linked with Barcelona and former club Juventus, but it’s Real and Zinedine Zidane who are making the most noise about a potential transfer.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Last week Real head coach Zidane spoke warmly of his compatriot and this has fuelled speculation he is out to entice Pogba to the Bernabeu. However, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said that the 26-year-old is going nowhere.
The Sun reports that United are ready to begin talks over a new deal but Pogba wants “an eye-watering £500,000 a week to put him up with Alexis Sanchez as the club’s top-paid player”.
Lukaku ‘very open’ about future
Another United star whose future is up in the air is striker Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian will also sit down for talks at the end of the season.
Lukaku’s agent Federico Pastorello says the 25-year-old’s future is “very open”. Pastorello told Sky Sports News: “At the moment he is very focused on finishing the season. The competition for third and fourth place in England is very tight so let’s see what will happen in the future at the end the season.
“It’s his second season here and he will still have three years on his contract until the end. Let’s see. He's someone who loves to know a different culture, a different football.”
Ole eyes English youngsters
New full-time boss Solskjaer wants to rebuild his squad around a nucleus of young British players.
The Times reports that West Ham midfielder Declan Rice (20), Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi (18) and Crystal Palace right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka (21) are on Solskjaer’s target list.
Dortmund: Sancho not for sale
The Independent adds that United also remain interested in £100m-rated England and Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho (19).
Despite the interest from United Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke told Eurosport Germany: “We will not sell him, that is fact. It is clearly discussed with every person who is involved that Jadon plays in the next season for BVB.”
De Ligt would fit in at Old Trafford
It’s not just English youngsters who are being linked with United - Ajax and Holland defender Matthijs de Ligt is also a target.
According to former Ajax and United winger Jesper Olsen the 19-year-old would do well at Old Trafford, Sky Sports reports.
Olsen told Omnisport: “No doubt about it [he could play for United]. Playing at Ajax, you have to be a quality player. So, of course he could [play for United], no doubt about it. He could fit into any top team at the moment.”
Zidane wants Bailly
Paul Pogba is not the only Man Utd player admired by Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane. It’s reported in The Sun that Zidane also has his eye on United defender Eric Bailly.
The Ivorian is a shock £35m target for Real and the La Liga giants could make their move at the end of the season for the 24-year-old.
PSG will meet De Gea’s demands
Paris Saint-Germain are prepared to pay David de Gea £350,000 a week to bring the Man Utd goalkeeper to the French capital.
The Independent says that the Spanish No.1’s contract at United expires next summer and talks over a new deal are “currently at an impasse”.
De Gea wants to become the best-paid player at Old Trafford but should United not offer the 28-year-old what he wants PSG could swoop by matching his demands.
Premier League fixtures and TV guide
Friday 5 April
- Southampton vs. Liverpool (8pm, live on Sky Sports)
Saturday 6 April
- AFC Bournemouth vs. Burnley (3pm)
- Huddersfield Town vs. Leicester City (3pm)
- Newcastle United vs. Crystal Palace (3pm)
Sunday 7 April
- Everton vs. Arsenal (2.05pm, live on Sky Sports)
Monday 8 April
- Chelsea vs. West Ham United (8pm, live on Sky Sports)
FA Cup semi-final fixtures
Saturday 6 April
- Manchester City vs. Brighton and Hove Albion (5.30pm, live on BBC One)
Sunday 7 April
- Watford vs. Wolves (4pm, live on BT Sport)
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
5 hilariously spirited cartoons about the spirit of Christmas
Cartoons Artists take on excuses, pardons, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Inside the house of Assad
The Explainer Bashar al-Assad and his father, Hafez, ruled Syria for more than half a century but how did one family achieve and maintain power?
By The Week UK Published
-
Sudoku medium: December 22, 2024
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
The European Super League: a 90th-minute reprieve?
In the Spotlight A European court ruling has potentially breathed new life into the breakaway football league
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
By Jamie Timson Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated