As Manchester United wonder what to do about a problem called Di Maria, Manchester City are reportedly making eyes at Arsenal's Jack Wilshere. As for Paul Pogba, his agent says a magnificent seven clubs are on his tail.
•ŸŸ As Manchester United prepare to host Arsenal in tonight's FA Cup quarter-final, the Daily Express claims an 'exclusive' with the sensational news that the Red Devils will "sell Angel Di Maria to fund a Gareth Bale swoop". The paper says that United have grown disillusioned with Di Maria, who arrived at Old Trafford last summer in a club record deal of £59.7m. In addition the Argentine striker's family is allegedly "unsettled" in the north-west of England. United have therefore hatched a plot to prise Gareth Bale from Real Madrid at the end of the season and the plan is now in "overdrive". As for who might move for Di Maria, the Express says Paris Saint-Germain are "still keen" on the player they also tried to sign last year.
•ŸŸ According to the Daily Star, Manchester City have drawn up a list of homegrown transfer targets, "with Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere the top name on it". The paper says that the Sky Blues are also targeting Everton's England playmaker Ross Barkley as well as Aaron Cresswell of West Ham, but it's Wilshere they want most. Apparently City hope that former Arsenal great Patrick Vieira – now the Sky Blues' City's Elite Development coach – might be able to lure Wilshere to the Etihad, but it won't be easy. The midfielder is under contract for another three years and despite a catalogue of injury problems in recent years, the Stars says that Arsenal have "been looking to extend that deal by a further two years with a new £150k-a-week deal". As for Barkley, City will "will test Everton's resolve" in the summer by tabling a £25m offer.
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•ŸŸ One of Transfer Talk's old favourites is in the news again with Metro claiming that Chelsea are set to "go all out" to sign Juventus star Paul Pogba in the summer. The French playmaker has been linked with most of Europe's top clubs in recent months but Metro reckon that the Blues "have been monitoring Pogba for the last few months" are dead set on signing him at the end of the season. The desire is driven by manager Jose Mourinho, who is ready to meet Juventus's asking price of £70m.
But goal.com have a different take on the matter with the website quoting Pogba's agent Mino Raiola. Admitting that a bid of £70m would be enough to take the player out of Juventus, he told Italian paper Tuttosport: "He is wanted by seven clubs and that is certain, because they all told me so. The ones that can afford him are Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea."
Asked if his client was likely to move at the end of the season, Raiola replied: "If I just whistled, I'd sell Pogba tomorrow to PSG or City in a heartbeat. But Paul did not tell me to find him another club. As of today, it's 99 per cent [Pogba will stay at Juventus]."
