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

Man Utd transfer news Paul Pogba — Manchester United and France midfielder Paul Pogba

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Premier League transfer news and rumours

Pogba to leave Manchester United?

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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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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