Pogba wants a big deal
Manchester United will try to fend off interest from Real Madrid by sitting down for contract talks with star midfielder Paul Pogba.
The French World Cup winner has this season been linked with Barcelona and former club Juventus, but it’s Real and Zinedine Zidane who are making the most noise about a potential transfer.
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Last week Real head coach Zidane spoke warmly of his compatriot and this has fuelled speculation he is out to entice Pogba to the Bernabeu. However, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said that the 26-year-old is going nowhere.
The Sun reports that United are ready to begin talks over a new deal but Pogba wants “an eye-watering £500,000 a week to put him up with Alexis Sanchez as the club’s top-paid player”.
Lukaku ‘very open’ about future
Another United star whose future is up in the air is striker Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian will also sit down for talks at the end of the season.
Lukaku’s agent Federico Pastorello says the 25-year-old’s future is “very open”. Pastorello told Sky Sports News: “At the moment he is very focused on finishing the season. The competition for third and fourth place in England is very tight so let’s see what will happen in the future at the end the season.
“It’s his second season here and he will still have three years on his contract until the end. Let’s see. He's someone who loves to know a different culture, a different football.”
Ole eyes English youngsters
New full-time boss Solskjaer wants to rebuild his squad around a nucleus of young British players.
The Times reports that West Ham midfielder Declan Rice (20), Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi (18) and Crystal Palace right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka (21) are on Solskjaer’s target list.
Dortmund: Sancho not for sale
The Independent adds that United also remain interested in £100m-rated England and Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho (19).
Despite the interest from United Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke told Eurosport Germany: “We will not sell him, that is fact. It is clearly discussed with every person who is involved that Jadon plays in the next season for BVB.”
De Ligt would fit in at Old Trafford
It’s not just English youngsters who are being linked with United - Ajax and Holland defender Matthijs de Ligt is also a target.
According to former Ajax and United winger Jesper Olsen the 19-year-old would do well at Old Trafford, Sky Sports reports.
Olsen told Omnisport: “No doubt about it [he could play for United]. Playing at Ajax, you have to be a quality player. So, of course he could [play for United], no doubt about it. He could fit into any top team at the moment.”
Zidane wants Bailly
Paul Pogba is not the only Man Utd player admired by Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane. It’s reported in The Sun that Zidane also has his eye on United defender Eric Bailly.
The Ivorian is a shock £35m target for Real and the La Liga giants could make their move at the end of the season for the 24-year-old.
PSG will meet De Gea’s demands
Paris Saint-Germain are prepared to pay David de Gea £350,000 a week to bring the Man Utd goalkeeper to the French capital.
The Independent says that the Spanish No.1’s contract at United expires next summer and talks over a new deal are “currently at an impasse”.
De Gea wants to become the best-paid player at Old Trafford but should United not offer the 28-year-old what he wants PSG could swoop by matching his demands.
Premier League fixtures and TV guide
Friday 5 April
- Southampton vs. Liverpool (8pm, live on Sky Sports)
Saturday 6 April
- AFC Bournemouth vs. Burnley (3pm)
- Huddersfield Town vs. Leicester City (3pm)
- Newcastle United vs. Crystal Palace (3pm)
Sunday 7 April
- Everton vs. Arsenal (2.05pm, live on Sky Sports)
Monday 8 April
- Chelsea vs. West Ham United (8pm, live on Sky Sports)
FA Cup semi-final fixtures
Saturday 6 April
- Manchester City vs. Brighton and Hove Albion (5.30pm, live on BBC One)
Sunday 7 April
- Watford vs. Wolves (4pm, live on BT Sport)
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