5 players who could replace Paul Pogba at Manchester United

There are just a couple of days left in the transfer window in England, but the biggest saga of the summer has only just begun. Barcelona have reportedly had a bid rejected for Manchester United’s Paul Pogba, but with the Frenchman’s agent, Mino Raiola, reportedly pushing for a move, a switch to the Camp Nou could soon be on the cards.

There has been debate around Pogba ever since he made his return to United in 2016. He cost a then world record £89 million fee from Juventus, making the move back to Manchester four years after leaving on a free transfer under Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Frenchman has struggled to recreate his form from Italy in the Premier League, and there have regularly been question marks over his attitude, and what position brings the best out of him.

Despite his struggles at club level, Pogba put in some superb showings for France at the World Cup in Russia this summer, including scoring in the final against Croatia. It appears that his impressive showings there have caught the eye of Spanish giants Barcelona.

The bid made on Monday consisted of players plus cash, with Barcelona offering to pay £45 million for Pogba, with the duo of Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes moving in the other direction.

Although the transfer window in England shuts on Thursday evening before the Premier League season gets underway on Friday, the Spanish window isn’t closed until the end of the month, meaning Barca still have plenty of time to get a deal done.

If Pogba does leave Old Trafford, United will have to replace him, and here are five players they could move for to fill the void:

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#5 Nabil Fekir (Lyon)

Nabil Fekir was close to a move to Liverpool earlier this summer

Fekir has been one of the men talked about most in this transfer window so far. Reports earlier this summer suggested that a move to Liverpool was the most likely outcome, but talks broke down.

Since then, Liverpool have signed goalkeeper Alisson from Roma for a record £67 million, meaning that the money probably isn’t there to move for Fekir. This could open the door for United, and he could be the man to replace fellow Frenchman Pogba.

The Lyon midfielder is probably a more attacking player than Pogba, but perhaps that is the sort of thing Jose Mourinho needs at Old Trafford. His team often lacked a cutting edge last season, and Fekir is the type of player who will drive on from midfield.

He is more than capable of getting a few goals, having scored 18 goals last season in Ligue 1, and he could be an excellent addition to this United side.

#4 Andre Gomes (Barcelona)

Gomes has been offered to United in exchange for Pogba

This is probably the most obvious option, seeing that Gomes is the midfielder being offered to United as part of the exchange deal for Pogba. The Portuguese international has had a tough couple of years at Barcelona since his move to the Catalan giants in 2016.

He played a crucial role in helping Portugal win the European Championships two years ago, and that was what put him on the radar for a number of top clubs.

He only appeared 16 times for Barcelona in La Liga last season, but he is still an exceptionally talented player.

He keeps the ball well in midfield, and would probably make an excellent partner for either Fred or Nemanja Matic in the centre of the park. He may not have the same impact going forward, but he the reliable sort of midfielder that Jose Mourinho likes to have in his side.

#3 Mateo Kovacic (Real Madrid)

Kovacic is looking for a move away from Real this summer

Kovacic has been another man whose future has been up for discussion for much of the summer. The Croatian has spent three years at Real Madrid but has suffered from being at a club with the likes of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Casemiro for competition.

This has meant that he has never really been able to hold down a place in the starting XI, and this has prompted him to look for a move away from the Bernabeu.

A number of clubs have been linked with a move for Kovacic this summer, and he is certainly capable of playing for United. He is an accomplished passer of the ball, probably more so than Pogba, and a move to Old Trafford may appeal to him.

It would allow him to continue playing in the UEFA Champions League, and alongside some of the top players in the world. There are rumours linking him with a move to Chelsea, so United would have to move quickly to wrap this up.

#2 Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich)

Thiago has often been linked with a move to United

It seems that every year, there is a story linking Thiago with a move to Manchester United. Ever since his time at Barcelona, he is a player United have allegedly had their eye on, and this could finally be the summer that the move happens.

He has spent five years with Bayern Munich, but that time has been hampered with injuries, and he may feel that it is time for him to move on for a new challenge.

He is considered one of the top midfielders in the world and was an important player for Spain at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

He is very much a man in the Pep Guardiola mould, so he keeps the ball exceptionally well, and is capable of finding the right pass. He wouldn’t come cheap, and he may have to adapt his game slightly to suit Mourinho, as he likes his midfielders to be able to track back and do their defensive duties.

#1 Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur)

Dele Alli has had three impressive seasons with Tottenham

Make no mistake, this is certainly the wildcard name on this list. Alli is settled at Tottenham Hotspur and has been a massive part of their success over the last few seasons.

However, we are just a couple of days from the transfer window shutting in England, and players like Alli may be disheartened by the lack of ambition Spurs have shown, as they are still yet to make their first signing.

Alli is the sort of box-to-box midfielder that United will want to replace Pogba with, as they are quite similar players in their style. He is still only 22, so will get better as he gets older.

Spurs' chairman, Daniel Levy, will drive a hard bargain, as he always does, meaning that United will have to part with a massive fee to sign the Englishman. He will be around for a number of years yet though, so it may be worth taking the risk.