Paper Talk: Man Utd rival Chelsea for French destroyer with Pogba pull
A Chelsea-linked French sensation with the potential to keep Paul Pogba at Old Trafford has been confirmed to be on a Manchester United transfer shortlist, while Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger will return to management to face Lionel Messi and co. – all in Wednesday’s transfer gossip.
MAN UTD EYE FRENCH ACE
Manchester United are a confirmed admirer of a young French superstar who could hold the key to re-signing Paul Pogba, per a trusted transfer source.
Pogba, 28, is in the final year of his contract at Old Trafford. His blistering start to the season that saw seven assists notched in four matches showed exactly what the dynamic midfielder is capable of.
However, links to the likes of Juventus. PSG and Real Madrid have not subsided. Indeed, until Pogba signs a new contract, the vultures will continue to circle with Pogba able to sign a pre-contract agreement with overseas clubs come January 1.
One factor that could aid the club’s chances of retaining Pogba could come from signing fellow countryman, Aurelien Tchouameni.
The 21-year-old combative midfielder is already a regular for his national side, coincidentally often playing alongside Pogba.
France recently lifted the UEFA Nations League with that partnership at the heart of their midfield. And if Pogba’s recent comments are anything to go by, he wouldn’t mind playing alongside Tchouameni more often.
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“Very, very good,” Pogba told RTL of his junior teammate (via the Express). “He’s not a boy, he’s a man.
“It’s a pleasure to play next to him. He brings a lot of energy. A lot of energy, extraordinary technical and physical quality.
“We wish him to play a lot more games and that I am always by his side.”
Central midfield remains the area many believe is holding Man Utd back from achieving their true ambitions. But per transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, United have installed the Chelsea-linked ace on their transfer shortlist after initially dismissing the notion they were interested over the summer.
“Today we had rumours about Real Madrid,” Romano said on his Here We Go podcast (via the Express).
“Manchester United were not trying to sign Tchouameni last summer. So they were not negotiating with Monaco for Tchouameni.
“There were many rumours, but he was on the list of Man United. He’s a player they are scouting with many, many players but they were not negotiating for him.
“Chelsea and Juventus have this player in their list. For example, I told you about nothing with Van de Beek at the moment, they are looking for a different player like Tchouameni.
“Chelsea have this player in their list so keep an eye on Chelsea and Juventus and we’ll see what Real Madrid will do in this position.”
Newcastle moves for Mbappe, Haaland, Lingard, Tarkowski and co. rated and slated
WENGER RETURNS TO THE DUGOUT
Arsene Wenger will return to the dugout to take charge of a combined Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr side when the Saudi clubs take on Paris Saint-Germain in January. (Daily Mail)
Newcastle United hope to sign out-of-favour Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet in January. (The Sun)
Tottenham chiefs are increasingly confident Harry Kane will remain at the club after being convinced by their plans to rebuild. (Daily Star)
Hector Bellerin has hinted he does not want to return to Arsenal after his loan spell with Real Betis comes to an end. (The Mirror)
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HAALAND TO HOLD MAN CITY TALKS
Erling Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola is expected to hold talks with Manchester City in January over a potential move to the Premier League club next summer. (Daily Mail)
Galatasaray could sign another Arsenal midfielder in January amid reports they have opened talks with Mohamed Elneny. (The Sun)
Real Madrid are looking to beat Manchester United and Chelsea to the signature of highly-prized Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni. (Daily Mail)
England forward Raheem Sterling, 26, wants to be sure he remains a key part of manager Pep Guardiola’s plans before he resumes contract talks with Manchester City. (The Sun)
LIVERPOOL WILLING TO MAKE ARSENAL DEAL
Liverpool are willing to sell England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 28, – but only for the right price – with his former club Arsenal interested. (The Mirror)
The Reds have also started negotiations to sign Barcelona’s French forward Ousmane Dembele, 24, on a free transfer next summer. (Daily Mail)
Germany central defender Antonio Rudiger, 28, will assess his options before making a decision over his Chelsea future, with his current contract expiring at the end of the season. (Sky Sports)
Southampton, Tottenham and West Ham are interested in signing West Brom and England goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, 28. (Hampshire Live)
Real Madrid are keen on bringing Tottenham’s Spanish full-back Sergio Reguilon, 24, back to the Bernabeu before next season. (Defensa Central)
AND MORE TRANSFER GOSSIP
Southampton have no plans to sack manager Ralph Hasenhuttl. They believe he is still the man to lead their long-term project despite a poor start to the 2021-22 season. (The Sun)
In stark contrast, Southampton players are expecting Austrian boss Ralph Hasenhuttl, 54, to be sacked in the coming weeks with the club yet to win in the Premier League this season. (Football Insider)
England midfielder Phil Foden, 21, is close to signing a new contract with Manchester City. His current deal expires in 2024. (The Athletic)
