Gossip: Pogba close to record Man United move

Matt Stead

THE POGBA STORY CONTINUES
The Neymar guff may have been brought to its conclusion, but long live the Paul Pogba bullsh*t. He’s ‘closing in’ on a ‘record move’ to Manchester United.

That is according to Jeremy Cross of the Daily Star. He writes that the midfielder ‘is in advanced talks’ with his former club, and could join once his Euro 2016 escapades with France are over.

It is thought that the possibility of ‘linking up with’ Jose Mourinho is the main drive behind Pogba’s desire to return to Old Trafford. United will pay £80m for the 23-year-old.

Mino Raiola’s control over the red half of Manchester is almost complete. The agent of the Juventus midfielder has also overseen Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s imminent move to work under Mourinho, while a deal for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, another client of Raiola’s, is close to moving from Borussia Dortmund.

 

DIRTY SANCHEZ
After panicking over the fitness of Alexis Sanchez over the weekend, the last thing Arsenal fans needed was news of an enquiry into the Chilean’s availability from Juventus. But the Daily Mail are the bearer of bad news, informing us that the Serie A champions have made ‘an approach’ for the forward.

Fear not, as it has been rejected out of hand. Arsene Wenger ‘has no desire to sell’ one of his main assets, according to Simon Jones, although Sanchez is reportedly ‘growing unsettled at the Emirates Stadium’.

Despite Sanchez’s potential reservations over his Arsenal future, Jones writes that he is ‘key’ to Wenger’s plans. Juve will pursue a move for Javier Hernandez of Bayer Leverkusen instead.

 

TOWNSEND’S OFF
Who would win in a fight between Crystal Palace, Southampton, West Ham United and Watford? The side with Alan Pardew in charge, obviously. He’d just headbutt everyone and call them all “f***ing old c***s”.

The Daily Telegraph report that Palace have won the race for Andros Townsend. The Newcastle winger, also a home-grown target of Liverpool and Manchester City, could complete his move this weekend.

Palace have triggered a £13m release clause in the England international’s contract, sparing him the delights of the Championship. Newcastle offered to increase his wages, but the pull of the Premier League proved too much. And with Liverpool and City moving for other targets, and Southampton pouncing for Nathan Redmond, Palace provide the most viable option.

The south London club will follow up the 24-year-old’s signing with a move for goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, while Christian Benteke of Liverpool remains a target.

 

AND THE REST
Diego Costa has ‘rocked’ Chelsea by ‘demanding’ a return to Atletico Madrid…Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is plotting a £12million move for wantaway Newcastle midfielder Moussa Sissoko, according to reports in France…Manchester City are set to break the £100m spending barrier with Pep Guardiola lining up John Stones and Leroy Sane…Leicester are ready to table a take-it-or-leave-it offer in their protracted pursuit of Burnley defender Michael Keane…Pep Guardiola is in advanced talks to bring Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara to Manchester City…Poland Euro 2016 star Kamil Grosicki could be on his way to Everton from Stade Rennais…Dimitri Payet’s agent expects the playmaker to stay at West Ham this summer despite strong interest from Real Madrid…Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2016 hero Darren Randolph will be allowed to leave West Ham this summer.