Gossip: Bellerin flattered by Barca interest
SOME POGBA TO CHELSEA NONSENSE
Chelsea are in talks over a £80million move for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, according to reports in France.
Get French Football News (no, us neither) report that the west London outfit are in ‘constant contact’ with Pogba’s agent in a bid to grease the wheels over a potential £80million to Stamford Bridge. If you’re having to be constantly in contact, you aren’t communicating properly.
Pogba has been speaking publicly about his desire to remain in Turin, but GFFN say that privately he has accepted it is time to move. Antonio Conte has told the Blues’ hierarchy that Pogba’s signature is his absolute priority this summer – but it will not be straightforward.
We’ll be very, very surprised if this comes off. And so will Chelsea.
BELLERIN HAPPY WITH BARCA INTEREST
Oh dear. After Hector Bellerin emerged as Barcelona’s first choice to replace Dani Alves should the Brazilian leave for Juventus, the Arsenal right-back has hardly done much to stop the whispers from growing in volume.
Although Bellerin insisted that his thoughts were on his national team (although he is not in the Spain squad for Euro 2016), he admitted that he was flattered to be linked to Barcelona.
“Well, the truth is that right now this does not interest me, because I am focused on the national team,” Bellerin told Cadena Cope.
“For those things I have an agent who deals with off-the-field issues. When you have a good season, news like this always emerges.
“I am very misinformed about it, these are questions for my agent, but I am happy to attract the interest of such big clubs, that’s always nice.”
We can’t help but feel that this will end badly, but maybe next summer rather than this.
AND THE REST
Robert Lewandowski’s agent has revealed that the Bayern Munich striker has held talks with Real Madrid and could be interested in leaving the German champions this summer… Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino was photographed watching the Republic of Ireland draw with the Netherlands in Dublin – and he was sat next to Southampton striker Shane Long’s agent… Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin says he is “happy” to receive interest from other clubs, with the 21-year-old emerging as Barca’s first choice should Alves join Juventus… Arsenal could miss out on Alvaro Morata after Paris Saint-Germain twice met with the Juvenus striker’s agent… Rangers manager Mark Warburton wants Southend goalkeeper Daniel Bentley… Claudio Ranieri is close to signing a new £3m-a-year contract at Premier League champions Leicester City.