Premier League transfer news: Paul Pogba, Mohamed Salah, Eden Hazard

Premier League transfer news and rumours

Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial: Manchester United to Real Madrid

According to reports, Real Madrid have made contact with Manchester United regarding the possible signings of Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial.

The Spanish giants are also interested in goalkeeper David de Gea and it’s reported they have asked “to be kept informed” of the trio’s movements ahead of the summer transfer window.

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Real have also offered United first refusal on Welsh forward Gareth Bale. (Manchester Evening News)

Mohamed Salah: Liverpool to Real Madrid/Barcelona

It is claimed Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is “concerned” that transfer target Mohamed Salah will choose to sign for their rivals Barcelona. Salah’s goal-scoring form for Liverpool this season has attracted the attention of Europe’s top clubs. If Liverpool do decide to cash in on the Egypt international, Real Madrid will lead the chase. (Daily Express via Diario Gol)

Real Madrid may drop plans to sign Hazard

Eden Hazard’s poor form and £100m asking price is said to be a “concern” for Real Madrid, who may drop their interest in the Chelsea and Belgium playmaker. The Blues want Hazard to sign a new £300,000-a-week deal to stay at Stamford Bridge. (Daily Mail)

United target Umtiti ‘happy’ at Barcelona

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde says Samuel Umtiti is happy at the Camp Nou. The French defender has been linked with a move to Manchester United, but Valverde said: “My understanding is that he is happy here. We certainly are with him and we hope that he stays here for many years.” (Daily Mail via AS)

Charlie Austin: Southampton to Bournemouth/Leicester/Aston Villa

A number of clubs will battle to sign Charlie Austin if Southampton get relegated this season. Austin, 28, has scored eight times for the Saints this season and is being linked with moves to Bournemouth, Leicester City and Aston Villa. (The Sun)

Premier League news and talking points

Ray Wilkins dies, age 61

Former Manchester United, Chelsea and England footballer Ray Wilkins has died at the age of 61. Wilkins suffered a cardiac arrest at his home last week and was placed in a coma in hospital, where he passed away today. He won 84 caps for England during his playing career and was also Chelsea’s assistant manager when they won the Premier League and FA Cup double in the 2009-2010 season. (Daily Mirror)

Allegri set to take over at Chelsea

Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri is expected to be named as the new Chelsea manager this summer. Antonio Conte looks set to leave Stamford Bridge and there had been speculation he would be replaced by Luis Enrique. However, the Blues are said to have “run out of patience with Enrique” and will now target Allegri as their next boss. (Daily Star)

Liverpool spend most on agents

According to data published by the Football Association, Liverpool were the biggest Premier League spenders last year in terms of fees paid to agents. From 1 February 2017 to 31 January 2018, the Reds spent £26.8m followed by Chelsea (£25.1m), Manchester City (£23.4m) and Manchester United (£18m). In total Premier League clubs paid £211m in agent fees. (Sky Sports)

Robben: I would have joined United

Dutch winger Arjen Robben has revealed that he had dinner with Sir Alex Ferguson in 2003 with a view of signing for Manchester United from PSV Eindhoven. However, no deal happened and instead he moved to Chelsea. Robben said: “I had a very good conversation with Ferguson over dinner and we spoke about football and life. But after I went back to PSV nothing happened. I spoke to Chelsea and I liked their plans. We had one meeting and everything was done pretty quickly. Had Manchester United offered me a deal straight after I met them, I would have signed there, but it didn’t happen and I’ve got no regrets.” (FourFourTwo)

Wenger: we are over the crisis

Following Arsenal’s torrid run of four successive defeats in February and March, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger believes the team have recovered from that “crisis”. Arsenal have now won four games on the trot and can still qualify for the Champions League if they win the Europa League. They host CSKA Moscow in the quarter-final first-leg tomorrow night. Wenger said: “I think always you judge a team by the way they come out of a crisis. On that front I believe that is very positive on our side. There's some extra pressure on us to do extremely well in this competition but that’s part of being where we are. We have to see it in a way it’s an opportunity we want to take and keep the priorities right and of course focus on how well we play together, how we want to play.” (Sky Sports)