Five players Man Utd could replace Paul Pogba with – from Bayern star to Rice
Paul Pogba has shocked Manchester United by rejecting the offer of a bumper new contract, increasing the likelihood of a summer transfer.
United have moved to try and tie Pogba down to a new deal after he entered the final 12 months of his current agreement.
Star Sport understands United offered Pogba a weekly pay rise of £100,000 by tabling an offer until June 2024 worth £350,000-a-week, only to see the midfielder turn it down.
The 28-year-old, who joined United from Juventus for a club record £90m in 2016, wants to force through a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
While United initially wanted to keep hold of the Frenchman, they don’t want to keep him against his will for another season and see him leave on a free transfer next summer.
They are therefore willing to sanction a £60million move to PSG in the current transfer window and cut their losses.
Jadon Sancho is already arriving at Old Trafford in a £73m deal from Borussia Dortmund and Raphael Varane is expected to follow from Real Madrid, but who could provide United with Pogba’s replacement?
Star Sport takes a look at the possibilities.
Leon Goretzka
Although Pogba’s decision has come as a surprise, that’s not to say that United haven’t planned for the outcome.
According toSport Bild, Goretzka has already been considered as a Pogba replacement and could be attainable given he’s entered the final 12 months of his contract.
New Bayern boss Julian Naglesmann wants to keep the German international and recently described him “the cornerstone of the team”, but contract negotiations have reportedly reached a stalemate.
Goretzka is a powerful box-to-box midfielder, who picked up five goals and five assists in 24 Bundesliga appearances last season and, at 26, is in a good age bracket.
Ruben Neves
Neves is another central midfielder who has been linked with a summer transfer.
The Portuguese player still has two years left on his contract and was a key player under Nuno Espirito Santo last season, making 40 appearances across all competitions and returning five goals and one assist in the Premier League.
But with Bruno Lage taking over from Nuno, Wolves are reportedly open to selling Neves – at the right price.
The Athleticsays that price is £45m, given his Premier League experience.
Who should Manchester United sign if Paul Pogba leaves this summer? Have your say in the comments section below.
Declan Rice
Rice was one of England’s stand-out players at Euro 2020 and, after a brilliant campaign with West Ham, he could be on the move.
The Guardianreported recently that Rice has turned down two contract offers from West Ham and wants to be informed of any bids as he eyes wages of £150,000 per week.
David Moyes said in March that Rice is worth “far more” than £100m and, with three years left on his contract, the Hammers are in a strong position to maintain that stance.
The 22-year-old is perhaps not a like-for-like replacement for Pogba, but would be a step up from Fred and Scott McTominay.
Saul Niguez
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Saul has been with Atletico Madrid since 2008, but this summer could be the time for him to move on, with a swap deal for Barcelona’s Antoine Griezmann mooted.
The Spanish midfielder made history by signing an unprecedented nine-year contract with Atleti in 2017 with a £130m release clause, but theManchester Evening Newssays he would now be available for a quarter of that price.
“I have spoken with him and we cannot put aside what is rumoured and talked about,” Atletico manager Diego Simeone toldASthis week.
“If he has to leave, [we] give him a big hug, wish him the best with the boys who gave us life and to continue being friends, as always. Either to Barcelona or elsewhere.”
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Eduardo Camavinga
Camavinga is one of the hottest properties in world football at the moment and is tipped to make a £25m (€30m) move this summer.
The 18-year-old midfielder enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with Rennes last season, making 38 appearances across all competitions for the French side.
He is now primed to move to a big club, with his agent Jonathan Barnett talking up his ability back in March.
The Athleticsays Camavinga is already on United’s radar but director of football John Murtough will wait until the closing moments of the window to make a move to try and reduce the transfer fee.
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