Believing that the Spanish giants won’t be able to afford the French midfielder when they are in need of a major overhaul of their squad, United told the Bernabeu outfit of their price tag last week.
Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane has been making overtures at Pogba in recent weeks but according to Spanish newspaper Marca Pogba’s agent, Mino Raiola, has been told by United “that the Frenchman will not be allowed to leave on the cheap”.
The Mirror adds that with Pogba’s contract set to expire in June 2021 United intend to open negotiations over a new deal “as soon as next month”.
Coutinho snubs United
Metro reports that Philippe Coutinho won’t be coming to United. Why not? Apparently the Brazilian playmaker has been “put off” after Barcelona’s win at Old Trafford last week in the Champions League.
Spanish newspaper Sport says that the Brazilian had been entertaining thoughts of a move back to England after a patchy spell in Spain, but his reception by United fans last week has convinced him otherwise.
He was booed by some United supporters, on account of his previous exploits for Liverpool, and Sport claims that Coutinho feels he would be “betraying” the Kop if he signed for their bitter rivals.
Instead it seems likely that the South American will leave Barcelona for French champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Rashford to Barcelona?
The news that Coutinho is set to leave the Camp Nou is also carried by the Mirror, but more to the point the paper additionally declares that Barcelona are going to offload the former Liverpool star to fund a move for Marcus Rashford.
Describing the swoop as a “stunning £100m deal”, the Mirror says that the Catalan club have “identified” the England striker as their top transfer target this summer.
They’ll be seeing him up close on Tuesday evening in the return leg of the Champions League quarter-final, and according to the Mirror, Barcelona are determined to beat Real Madrid to Rashford’s signature.
See more
Premier League results
Leicester City 0 Newcastle United 1
Tottenham Hotspur 4 Huddersfield Town 0
Brighton & Hove Albion 0 AFC Bournemouth 5
Burnley 2 Cardiff City 0
Fulham 2 Everton 0
Southampton 3 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1
Manchester United 2 West Ham United 1
Crystal Palace 1 Manchester City 3
Liverpool 2 Chelsea 0
Watford 0 Arsenal 1
Premier League fixtures
Tuesday 16 April
Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Cardiff City (7.45pm)
Saturday 20 April (3pm unless stated)
Manchester City vs. Tottenham Hotspur (12.30, live on Sky Sports)
AFC Bournemouth vs. Fulham
Huddersfield Town vs. Watford
West Ham United vs. Leicester City
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
Newcastle United vs. Southampton (5.30pm, live on BT Sport)
Sunday 21 April
Everton vs. Manchester United (1.30pm, live on Sky Sports)
Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace (4pm)
Cardiff City vs. Liverpool (4pm, live on Sky Sports)
Monday 22 April
Chelsea vs. Burnley (8pm, live on Sky Sports)
Champions League quarter-final fixtures and TV guide
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