Rumour Has It: Pogba race intensifies as Man United prepare bumper new contract

The race for Paul Pogba appears well and truly on, but Manchester United will not let the midfielder go easily.

The France international said on Sunday he would be interested in a “new challenge”, casting fresh doubt over his future at Old Trafford.

Real Madrid have continually been linked with Pogba, but it seems Paris Saint-Germain, and perhaps former club Juventus, could also be interested.

TOP STORY – POGBA INTEREST INTENSIFIES

Real Madrid indicated they are willing to pay £90million for Pogba despite United valuing the midfielder at £150m, according to The Sun.

United are ready to do their all to keep Pogba, with the Daily Mail reporting they are set to offer him a bumper new contract worth close to £500,000 per week.

This saga appears likely to take time to play out with Ligue 1 champions PSG also expressing an interest in Pogba, according to The Independent.

Here’s tomorrow’s @SunSport back page:

ZZ TAKIN’ THE PP: Real Madrid make their opening move for Paul Pogba.https://t.co/WYbhL57t82 pic.twitter.com/x8qowxnl7Y

— Sun Sport (@SunSport) June 17, 2019

ROUND-UP

– Neymar appears more and more likely to leave PSG in the close season. Globo Esporte says talks are already underway for the Brazil international to return to Barcelona, who may pay €100m and send players, with Ivan Rakitic, Ousmane Dembele and Samuel Umtiti mentioned.

– It seems Benfica sensation Joao Felix has decided where he will be next season. According to Record, the 19-year-old Portugal international was in Spain to sign with Atletico Madrid in a €120m move, a report Benfica denied. El Chiringuito later claimed to have spotted the attacker and agent Jorge Mendes leaving a Madrid restaurant.

¡¡EXCLUSIVA MUNDIAL!! JOAO FÉLIX y JORGE MENDES, ‘CAZADOS’ en un RESTAURANTE de MADRID ¡La IMAGEN MÁS BUSCADA la consigue @alexsilvestreSZ y el EQUIPO de @elchiringuitotv! pic.twitter.com/2QJx41Xomw

— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) June 17, 2019

– Real Madrid look like they want to see Gareth Bale make an exit before next season. ABC says the LaLiga giants have lowered their asking price for the Wales international from €100m to €85m.

– With Neymar and Antoine Griezmann potentially arriving, Philippe Coutinho‘s Barcelona future seems clouded. AS reports PSG have made contact with the player’s camp, while he may return to the Premier League. However, Sky Sports News reports Coutinho is unwilling to join Manchester United out of respect to former club Liverpool, but The Sun says he would head to Chelsea, although the club’s transfer ban is standing in the way of that move.

– Now that Juventus have appointed Maurizio Sarri, the Serie A champions could make numerous additions. Tuttosport reported Juve vice-president Pavel Nedved met with agent Mino Raiola regarding Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt – who is expected to join PSG – and Pogba.

– A dream Chelsea return for Frank Lampard could be on the cards. The Sun reports the club great and Derby County manager is set for talks with owner Roman Abramovich over the position left vacant at Stamford Bridge by Sarri’s departure. The same paper also reports Chelsea have rejected £35m bids from Barcelona and Atletico Madrid for Willian, with the Mirror saying Lampard wants the Brazil international to stay.