Liverpool want Vinicius Jr. in exchange for superstar, Manchester United set to pay Serie A star’s release clause and more: EPL Transfer Roundup, April 16, 2019

Hello and welcome to the Premier League transfer news and roundup for the day! Here are the top stories of the day surrounding the Premiership.

Minto on Pogba

Former Chelsea star Scott Minto believes that Manchester United should not sell Paul Pogba even if he wants to leave. While he thinks that the Frenchman might want to go to Real Madrid, the Red Devils have the power to keep him.

He added that the Frenchman should be kept for another season now that Jose Mourinho isn’t at the club. As a result, they could judge him on his performances next season and should he still not impress, they could then look for other options after selling him to Real Madrid.

“Does he want to go there [to Real Madrid]? Maybe. But Manchester United have it in their power to say, ‘I’m sorry, you’re not going anywhere.’ And I think they should.

“I think he should be given one more full season without Jose Mourinho to say, ‘Let’s judge him on this.’ Post-World Cup, I’ve talked about how it’s a really difficult time mentally and physically for the players.

“Next season I think if he doesn’t perform the way he should then perhaps they should start looking for someone else, giving him to Real Madrid and getting lots of money in and bring in some top-class other midfielders.”

Minto thinks that Pogba had a negative influence at the club when Jose Mourinho was there but now that the Portuguese is not there, the Frenchman could try to fulfil his potential.

“Paul Pogba now is not having a negative influence on United. He was when there was a spat with Jose Mourinho, that’s gone now.

“We’re talking about getting Pogba to fulfil his potential and be one of, if not the, best midfielder in the world.”

Hazard should be sold

Liverpool FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League

Retired Dutch footballer Mario Melchiot is of the opinion that Chelsea should look to sell Eden Hazard to Real Madrid this season. The Belgian has been linked to the Galacticos and Melchiot thinks that letting him go for free next season won’t be wise.

He also added that while, as a fan, he doesn’t want to see Hazard leaving, from a strict business point of view, it would be foolish to keep him at the club and then lose him for free in 2020.

“Keeping him for another year and letting him go for free? That would be bad business,” he said.

“As a fan, all along I want to keep Hazard until the last minute. But as a business it would not be a smart move to hold onto him. You don’t want to let anybody walk out for free. If you can get a lot of money for him… he’s on his last year and still has a value of around £100m. If they can get that for him, it would be great.”

Umtiti to Arsenal, Manolas to United

FC Barcelona v Deportivo Alaves - La Liga

According to TMW, Arsenal are in pole position to sign Samuel Umtiti while Manchester United are willing to pay the release clause of Kostas Manolas, which stands at €36 million.

Barca president Jose Maria Bartomeu, however, has dismissed rumours of Barcelona wanting to sell the Frenchman, claiming that he rates Umtiti highly and Barcelona should keep their one of their best players as he has four years left on his contract, renewing just before the World Cup last year.

“He renewed before the World Cup; he has four years left on his contract and there is no Umtiti issue,” he said.

“He has to regain form after recovering from his injury, as we want to have him in the best form possible.

"He and [Clement] Lenglet are two of the best left-footed central defenders and at Barca we want the best.”

Chelsea and Liverpool

Frosinone Calcio v FC Internazionale - Serie A

Former Chelsea star Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has claimed that he hopes Chelsea sign Mauro Icardi, who is going through a difficult phase at Inter. He also added that Lewandowski, too, would be a good option but that his age is a problem for the Londoners.

“Chelsea are in desperate need of proven firepower so I would love to see them make a move for Robert Lewandowski or Mauro Icardi this summer,” he said.

“Icardi would be my preference as I am a little bit worried about Lewandowski’s age. I think Icardi is a more realistic target while also being more likely to adapt to the Premier League.”

Meanwhile, according to reports, Liverpool asked for Vinicius Jr. from Real Madrid when the Galacticos made an approach for Sadio Mane. The Galacticos, however, have rejected the prospect because they see him as the future of the club.