Pogba Madrid talks
Manchester United “have opened talks” with Real Madrid over the sale of French midfielder Paul Pogba, according to reports.
The Sun says that officials from both clubs met last week to discuss a transfer. Real bosses were in London to finalise Eden Hazard’s move from Chelsea, but took time out of their negotiations to sit down with representatives from Old Trafford.
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Initial discussions went well, according to the newspaper, and Real president Florentino Perez “will now weigh up whether to meet United’s £150m asking price”.
It’s no secret that Real head coach Zinedine Zidane covets 26-year-old Pogba, but having just forked out £130m for Hazard, can the Spanish club meet United’s asking price?
The Red Devils are reportedly sticking to their valuation and are determined to get a “profit on the £89m they paid Juventus three years ago”.
Meanwhile, Tottenham playmaker Christian Eriksen could be lined up as a replacement for Pogba.
Maguire twist
United have been handed what the Daily Mirror calls a “boost” in their pursuit of Harry Maguire.
Apparently Manchester City will “turn their attention to other defensive targets” after failing to persuade Leicester to lower their £90m asking price for the England defender.
The Mirror says that City were keen to lure the 26-year-old Maguire from the King Power Stadium, but not at any cost.
Leicester are adamant that they will get the full £90m for their star asset and so City have pulled out of the race, leaving the door open for United.
Maguire is reported to “prefer a move to the Etihad” but he will settle for Old Trafford if City boss Pep Guardiola sticks to his guns.
Felix future
Another player wanted by both Manchester clubs is Benfica’s Joao Felix.
The 19-year-old is one of the most highly-rated youngsters in Europe and has been linked with Man Utd, Man City, Real Madrid and Juventus.
Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira has conceded that Felix could leave this summer, Metro reports.
United are reportedly in discussions to sign Felix, but the Daily Mail says that Man City have “stepped up” their pursuit by offering the Portuguese forward a £26m deal.
Eagle eyed
The Times says that United’s pursuit of Aaron Wan-Bissaka has hit the buffers after their £40m bid was kicked into touch by Crystal Palace.
The Eagles value their 21-year-old defender “at closer to £65m”, and the Times says they are quietly confident that United will meet their asking price because Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has his heart set on Wan-Bissaka.
De Gea departure
David de Gea may have played his last game for United with the Mirror saying that the Red Devils have conceived a way to make a tidy sum on the gloveman.
Rather than let him run down his contract and leave on a free transfer in 12 months, United “are ready to hand him a golden handshake... to persuade him to depart”.
United hope that the handshake, allegedly £20m, will convince De Gea to quit the club this summer.
PSG and Real Madrid have both been linked to the keeper and the Mirror says that United will listen to offers of “between £60m and £75m”, which means they will be in line to make around £50m on any deal.
Bale bargain
The Daily Express says that United “could seal a deal with Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale for as little as £25m this summer”. How? By signing the Wales wizard on loan.
Sources in Spain claim that Real gaffer Zinedine Zidane is “desperate” to offload the 29-year-old Bale in order to free up transfer funds.
The Frenchman has never been convinced by the Welshman, and apparently Zidane believes that the best way to get shot of Bale is a loan deal.
United and Tottenham have expressed an interest in the forward but his injury record means a permanent deal is considered too risky.
Therefore Zidane wants to farm out Bale to Old Trafford in a season-long loan deal “which could cost the club around £25m”.
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