Premier League transfer news: Paul Pogba, Ivan Rakitic, Mousa Dembele

Premier League transfer news and rumours

Pogba to leave Manchester United?

Paul Pogba could lead a player exodus at Manchester United this summer after it was claimed that manager Jose Mourinho has “run out of patience with the club’s record signing”.

The £89m French midfielder has been in and out of Mourinho’s side this season and looks set to be dropped for Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham.

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According to reports Pogba, striker Anthony Martial and defenders Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind are on Mourinho’s selling list. (Daily Mail)

Who is on United’s target list?

If Paul Pogba is top of Jose Mourinho’s selling list at Manchester United, then who are the players the Old Trafford boss is looking to bring in? United’s (very long) reported target list includes Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Toni Kroos, Samuel Umtiti, Kieran Tierney, Fred, Jorginho, Harry Maguire, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ivan Rakitic, Neymar and a “time machine”. (The Guardian)

Rakitic is ‘tempted’ by Old Trafford move

Another player to add to United’s long target list could be Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic. It’s claimed that the Croatian star, 30, is concerned about his future in Spain and is “becoming increasingly tempted” by a move to Old Trafford. (Daily Express)

City to give Guardiola £200m in transfer funds

It’s not just United boss Jose Mourinho who will be busy in the transfer market in Manchester this summer. It’s claimed that Pep Guardiola will be given a £200m transfer war chest to make his Manchester City side even stronger. With next season’s Champions League the big target, Guardiola is “set to strengthen” the champions with moves for a “centre-back, holding midfielder and versatile forward”. Targets include midfielders Fred (Shakhtar Donetsk) and Jorginho (Napoli), forwards Thomas Lemar (Monaco) and Riyad Mahrez (Leicester) and defender Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham). (Daily Mirror)

Pochettino: Spurs need signings before the World Cup

Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino wants most of the club’s summer transfer business completed before the World Cup starts in June. Pochettino said: “It is so dangerous to go and scout players in the World Cup because if a player is good, how are you going to sign him? Sometimes you need to anticipate, ‘OK, this player can be good for us’ and then he goes to the World Cup - but you need to sign before it starts because he is doing well and then you will have competition if they are good [at the World Cup].” Spurs are reportedly keen on Fulham’s Ryan Sessegnon, Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha and Bordeaux winger Malcom. (The Times)

Spurs ‘prepared’ to sell Dembele

One player who could leave Tottenham this summer is Mousa Dembele. The club’s contract talks with the 30-year-old midfielder “have failed to progress” and Spurs “would listen to an acceptable offer” for the Belgian. Bryan Cristante and Andre Gomes are two potential replacements. (Daily Mirror)

Piotr Zielinski: Napoli to Liverpool

Liverpool will “reignite their interest” in Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski. The Reds missed out on signing the 23-year-old Poland international when he joined Napoli from Udinese in 2016. Zielinski, who can play on either wing, is valued at £57m by Napoli. (The Sun)

Loftus-Cheek’s Chelsea future unclear

Ruben Loftus-Cheek has “yet to decide on his Chelsea future”. The 22-year-old has impressed during a loan spell with Crystal Palace and received call-ups to the England squad. He said: “I really haven’t thought about what’s going to happen next season. I’ve still got a few games now. I’m focused with Palace. Whatever happens next season, I’m not really looking at that right now. I’ll deal with that when it comes.” (Independent)

Premier League news and talking points

City to hold Guardiola contract extension talks

Premier League champions Manchester City want manager Pep Guardiola to sign a contract extension until 2020. The Spaniard only has one season left on his three-year deal and City will hold talks with him at the end of the season “in an effort to persuade him to stay with the club”. In his second season at the Etihad Guardiola has won a league and league cup double. (The Times)

Benitez ‘relaxed’ at Newcastle despite Arsenal links

Rafa Benitez insists he is “relaxed” at Newcastle United and could soon enter talks about extending his contract. Benitez, who has been linked with Arsenal, told Spanish radio: “Yes, in principal we are relaxed. We have one more year of contract and now the board are trying that we talk a little bit about the future because the talk now is always about ‘projects’. With so much investment it is increasingly difficult, but they want to link us to the club for more time so that we can make a stronger team if possible.” (The Daily Telegraph)

Alli: exciting times for Tottenham

Speaking ahead of tonight’s Premier League clash against Brighton, midfielder Dele Alli believes Tottenham are “heading in the right direction”. Spurs are fourth in the league and through to the FA Cup semi-finals against Manchester United. A win tonight for Spurs will see them finish above Arsenal for the second year in a row and Alli said: “We’ve been playing well this season, we’ve been in great form. We’re definitely heading in the right direction at the minute and we are improving every year. We’ve got a great manager and a great young team that are hungry for success so it’s exciting times for Tottenham.” (Sky Sports)

Premier League results and fixtures

Last night’s result

• West Ham United 1 Stoke City 1

Tonight’s fixture

• Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Tottenham (7.45pm, live on Sky Sports)

Tomorrow’s fixtures