Manchester United: Pogba latest; battle for £50 million midfielder; full-back target

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Manchester United’s long pursuit of Paul Pogba looks as if it will continue for a little while yet, but Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport has claimed that United have finally lodged a bid for the player, as reported in the Manchester Evening News.

The rumour has come in conjunction with the news that United are delaying the announcement of their squad numbers for the 2016/17 season, in anticipation of Pogba joining the club.

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Pogba, who left Old Trafford on a free transfer in 2012, has been priced at an enormous £100 million by Juventus, and Manchester United appear to be the only club willing to pay such a high transfer fee. Although the fee is certainly too high, Pogba would be a massive improvement on United’s current midfield options. Bastian Schweinsteiger is clearly past his best at 31, and apparently not in Jose Mourinho’s plans. Morgan Schneiderlin is a solid defensive midfielder but doesn’t really have the drive to get forward. Marouane Fellaini has spent his three seasons at Old Trafford being used effectively as a deep lying targetman.

Pogba’s inclusion would bring pace, power and most importantly a willingness to get forward to United’s midfield. £100 million is more than he is worth, but the 23-year-old could be the future of the Red Devils’ midfield, and completing the signing will show a great deal of intent from the club as they look to get back into the Champions League.

Despite being willing to spend £100 million on Pogba, United are also invovled in another high profile, big money chase, this one for £50 million rated Portugal midfielder Andre Gomes. The Metro has reported that the Red Devils have already had a bid for Gomes turned down, and they will be in a four way tussle for the player with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Chelsea.

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Madrid are the favourites to land Gomes, though, and the transfer may be one that Manchester United don’t regret missing too much. Gomes is a good footballer, but he is solid and unspectacular rather than outstanding, as a £50 million price tag would suggest. He rarely scores from midfield (3 goals last season), isn’t a prolific provider (again, 3 assists) so it makes one wonder what exactly £50 million buys you in the market these days. A good player, yes, but he is not worth that sort of money at this time.

Finally, United are also keen to land Monaco full back Fabinho in the summer transfer window. Fabinho has been on United’s radar for over a year, and a £12 million move to Napoli has already fallen through for the Brazilian, with Monaco now stating he is worth more than twice that value at £25 million, but Monaco have told him he can leave.

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The right back, who was formerly at Real Madrid Castilla, loves to get forward in true Brazilian style, and has scored an impressive seven goals in 96 Ligue 1 appearances. The Red Devils are in need of a new right back, with the converted Antonio Valencia and Matteo Darmian currently their only options, and Fabinho represents an upgrade on their current situation.

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