Paul Pogba linked with a move away from Old Trafford
With just 12 months left on his current deal, Paul Pogba has reached a crossroads in his career.
According to reports, the Frenchman is stalling on a new deal at Manchester United, rejecting a deal which would have seen him earn £350,000 per week.
And now, as per Sky Sports News, PSG are sniffing around the World Cup winner, as they look to continue their summer recruitment drive.
The report is quick to stress that “there has been no contact between Manchester United and PSG”, but should a deal materialise, it will leave the Red Devils a man light in midfield.
Who could they bring in to remedy that?
Leon Goretzka
One option, according to reports in Germany, is Bayern Munich’s Leon Goretzka. Like Pogba, the German is out of contract next summer, and is seemingly looking for a deal on much improved terms to his current contract.
Were Goretzka to walk away from the Allianz Arena next summer, Manchester United would definitely not be the only club vying for his signature, with top clubs across Europe surely on red alert too.
Update Goretzka: @ManUtd offer @leongoretzka_ a higher salary than @FCBayern. the next round of negotiations with Bayern will follow
— Christian Falk (@cfbayern) July 23, 2021
The biggest problem for Manchester United is that it would not immediately remedy their midfield situation, with Goreztka not joining until next summer were he to move at all. Although he could help compensate for the loss of Pogba on a free transfer, it leaves this season up in the air.
Eduardo Camavinga
Perhaps the most likely option is Rennes midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, who is also in the last year of his contract. Although the Manchester Evening News claims that “Camavinga favours a move to Spain”, it seems unlikely that any of the clubs he would consider in Spain will be able to afford him this summer.
Eduardo Camavinga favours move to Spain amid interest from Manchester United #mufc https://t.co/HXo3nByKd5
— Man United News (@ManUtdMEN) July 23, 2021
United, meanwhile, could. With French clubs’ finances in disarray, Rennes will be desperate to receive a fee for their biggest asset, while United are seemingly desperate to make statements this summer following the signing of Jadon Sancho and links with Raphael Varane.
Ruben Neves
If reports are to be believed, Manchester United have overtaken Arsenal in the race for Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves, with the Portuguese international valued at around 35 million pounds.
BREAKING: Man Utd move ahead of Arsenal in the race to sign Ruben Neves.
Wolves are willing to sell the Portugal international for a fee of £35m.
– talkSPORT understands.
📻 Listen → https://t.co/VJgUHnqdM1 pic.twitter.com/LdkaxYKGgh
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) July 21, 2021
Neves may prove easier to persuade to move to Old Trafford than either Goretzka or Camavinga, and could fit in nicely alongside fellow Portuguese international Bruno Fernandes.
Would any of these options make the sale of Pogba viable?