Date published: Wednesday 11th March 2020 8:49
That’s right: Paul Pogba has had another change of Man Utd heart. He bloody loves Bruno Fernandes.
MAIL HIGH CLUB
The word the Daily Mail uses is ‘spectacular’. When it comes to Paul Pogba suddenly deciding to stay at Man Utd and ‘spearhead’ this bright new era, we would suggest ‘ill-advised’, ‘misguided’ or ‘foolish’ are more appropriate.
But the Frenchman ‘has been particularly impressed’ with Bruno Fernandes, reckons ‘he can develop an exciting midfield partnership’ with him, and ‘is determined to prove his true worth’ and ‘play a lead role in a period of success at United’.
With a single year left on his contract at the end of the season – Man Utd have an automatic 12-month extension option – it was thought that he would be sold to avoid the embarrassment of an £89m record signing leaving for nothing. And while any final decision would depend on Champions League qualification, Pogba now has ‘optimism’ and might ‘even extend his existing deal’.
Is that because Real Madrid are clearly not so bothered and few other clubs could afford him? Perhaps. It is instructive that any new contract ‘would take his earnings to around £400,000 a week’. That would make him the highest-paid player in the Premier League on wages about two other clubs could – or would want to – match.
ALEXANDRE THE GREAT
While Liverpool are busy being CANCELLED, their Champions League opponents are making plans to ‘reinforce’ their striking options this season. Mundo Deportivo describe Diego Costa’s season as ‘disappointing’, which they would absolutely not say to his beautiful face.
Atletico’s search for a new forward started as early as January, when they targeted Edinson Cavani but could not complete a deal. Their next plan is to ‘monitor the actions’ of Alexandre Lacazette, who ‘has been in the orbit’ of the capital club ‘for a long time’.
Atletico almost signed him in summer 2017 ahead of Arsenal, but were subject to a transfer ban at the time. With no such restriction in place now and the striker hardly ‘feeling undisputed’ as a starter in north London, that interest could be revisited.
CHEEKY FEKIR
After an indifferent and injury-hit start to life at Arsenal, Dani Ceballos has made a gradual impact under Mikel Arteta. The midfielder has started their last three Premier League games, all wins, as the Gunners continue to be overlooked.
The problem for Arsenal is that the better he plays, the more difficult it will be to retain him. His loan deal will expire in the summer and Real Madrid have formulated plans for him.
Not that they entail Ceballos playing for them. Defensa Central instead suggest he will be used as a makeweight in a proposed deal for Nabil Fekir, leaving in part-exchange for Real Betis.
Fekir ‘was a real headache’ for Real in their recent meeting with Betis, impressing in a 2-1 win. With Zinedine Zidane in charge, it always felt like a matter of time before the Frenchman was linked.
And so it comes to pass. Ceballos ‘does not enter into Zidane’s plans’ so will be offered to Betis, along with around €25m, to try and tempt them into selling Fekir.
AND THE REST
Barcelona have made RB Leipzig and Germany striker Timo Werner, 24, their number two target this summer behind Inter Milan and Argentina striker Lautaro Martinez, 22… Liverpool are still hoping to sign Belgian forward Jeremy Doku, 17, after a previous move for the Anderlecht youngster fell through… Chelsea’s Michy Batshuayi, 26, could be on his way to Crystal Palace, with the Belgium forward keen to stay at a London club as he seeks regular first-team games… Real Madrid are hoping to replace coach Zinedine Zidane with former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino or ex-Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri.
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