Manchester United: Pogba teases fans; West Ham star linked; Italian club bid for defender

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Paul Pogba has spoken out yet again to tease Red Devils fans, starring in an Adidas commercial in which he says “Don’t believe everything you read in the papers.” The statement comes days after similar quotes from his agent Mino Raiola on his Twitter account, and will leave United fans pondering possible meanings behind the curious claims according to the Independent.

However, there is also some bad news, with Zinedine Zidane telling reporters that Real Madrid are still in the hunt for the French midfielders. Most sources had previously claimed that Madrid had ducked out after being blown out of the water by Manchester United’s offer of £105 million, but the Sun now claim that Madrid are still fighting for the player’s signature.

With the offer of Champions League football, a role in a side full of stars, and what is alleged to be a preferred move to Spain, that could provide some real competition to Jose Mourinho just when it seemed that the deal was nearing completion.

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Meanwhile, France Football are reporting that a potential back up option should a move for Pogba fail would be West Ham star Dimitri Payet. Payet outshone Pogba this summer at the European Championships and French sources claim that Ed Woodward could be planning a £50.4 million bid for the free kick maestro in an attempt to lure him to the Theatre of Dreams.

It is expected that the Hammers would demand a higher bid to consider letting their prize asset go, but Mourinho will be hoping that if the player becomes unsettled he may be able to force through a move for less. At 29 it would be far from the most value for money transfer, but at half the price of Pogba, he certainly has the quality as he showed by taking the Premier League by storm last season.

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On the other hand, one of the many names to have been linked with a move away from Old Trafford was Matteo Darmian, and the Mirror claim that Napoli will use funds received from the sale of Gonzalo Higuain to sign the Italian full-back. Darmian was an important part of Antonio Conte’s Italy side this summer, and had been linked to Chelsea and Juventus, but Napoli now seems the most likely destination.

Despite only signing this time last year and having an acceptable first season, Jose Mourinho has doubts over his defensive abilities and is keen to get rid of the right-back. Mourinho has already made clear that he wants to overhaul the defence, and Darmian could be one of the fall guys to make way for new additions as the Portuguese boss looks to strengthen ahead of a title challenge.

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Mourinho will also be busy as he attempts to persuade young Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus that a move to the red half of Manchester is best for him, say the Daily Star. With a reported buy out clause of £20 million for United, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and PSG, and City also said to be interested, there is strong competition for the 19-year-old’s services.

Mourinho is expected to call the youngster personally in an attempt to charm him into a move to Old Trafford, with the club also offering the best financial package, only really rivalled by City. However, club bosses fear that he may prefer a move to Spain, where many of his compatriots first head when leaving Brazil, or to City to work under Pep Guardiola, so Mourinho has some work on his hands with this one.

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