Liverpool

Liverpool

Premier League • England

Paul Pogba could sink final blow into Man Utd with exit teeing up blockbuster Liverpool raid

France midfielders Aurelien Tchouameni and Paul Pogba

Paul Pogba could inadvertently help Man Utd rivals Liverpool in the transfer market this summer by aiding their quest to sign Aurelien Tchouameni, per a report.

Pogba, 29, will leave Manchester United as a free agent this summer. Talk of a return to Juventus has swelled in recent days, with current boss Max Allegri recently joking about that particular possibility.

“Pogba? Who is Pogba? I don’t know him,” chuckled Allegri when speaking to DAZN (via Fabrizio Romano).”Is it an English word, maybe?!

“I forgot about Paul Pogba, it was too many years ago.”

Juventus certainly appear to be the frontrunners at present, though per French outlet FootMercato, PSG cannot be discounted.

They state PSG sporting director Leonardo is gunning to sign the mercurial midfielder and would prioritise his free agent arrival over a costly move for Aurelien Tchouameni.

PSG’s plans are currently in flux amid uncertainty around Kylian Mbappe, Mauricio Pochettino and Leonardo himself. Reports yesterday suggested Real Madrid have struck an agreement with impending free agent Mbappe over personal terms.

But should Leonardo remain in situ, moving for Pogba would inadvertently boost Liverpool in their quest to sign Tchouameni.

Aurelien Tchouameni perfect for Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool evolution

Aurelien Tchouameni perfect for Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool evolution

Aurelien Tchouameni is reportedly a summer Liverpool target and he is exactly the sort of player Jurgen Klopp should be going after.

The Monaco destroyer, 22, is a target for Liverpool, Chelsea, Real Madrid and PSG. Though if PSG snap up Pogba, one obstacle in Liverpool’s path to Tchouameni would clear. It stands to reason PSG would not sign both.

FootMercato go on to claim the Reds are in fact Tchouameni’s preferred destination if he does leave Monaco. Any move is expected to cost around the £60m mark.

Monday’s Euro Paper Talk provided another positive update on Liverpool’s hunt for Tchouameni. The Reds – along with Real Madrid – will reportedly meet with their Monaco counterparts in the coming weeks. The star man’s transfer is number one on the agenda.

Why would Liverpool sign Tchouameni?

While Liverpool’s midfield has never been the most heralded part of Jurgen Klopp’s squad, it has arguably been the most efficient.

The likes of Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum and James Milner made their name at Anfield doing the dirty work in midfield. The platform they and the likes of Fabinho laid helped to ensure those around them could thrive.

Tchouameni is known as a defender’s worst nightmare through his incredible tackles and interceptions statistics in Ligue 1. He is also capable of operating in a box-to-box role. Though signing him as the long-term Fabinho successor makes the most sense.

The Brazilian remains an elite level operator, though Liverpool are expected to challenge on at least four fronts again next year. As the signing of Luis Diaz has shown, one can never have too many top class performers in a squad.

The Daily Express indicated that given Diaz already arrived in 2022, the Reds may settle for just one major acquisition this summer. Tchouameni would be an ideal addition if that is the case.