Manchester United eyeing Milinkovic-Savic as Paul Pogba replacement, Red Devils reveal travelling squad for pre-season tour, and more Manchester United Transfer News, July 7, 2019

United are preparing a bid for Pogba's replacement
United are preparing a bid for Pogba's replacement

Hello and welcome to the Manchester United Transfer News round-up for 7th July 2019. We bring you the top transfer stories of the day involving Manchester United and here are our top five picks for the day.


Also see : Barcelona Transfer News, Arsenal Transfer News, Manchester united Transfer News.


#5 United eyeing €120m midfielder as Paul Pogba replacement

"Sergent" Milinkovic Savic has been identified by United as a replacement for Pogba

The Paul Pogba saga seems to gather new twists and turns with each passing day. Only yesterday we revealed in this segment that Mino Raiola, the player's agent, had mentioned that Pogba wanted to leave United and his transfer out of Old Trafford was under process. The Frenchman's absence from United's pre-season training caused quite a stir and it was seen by many as the first signs of a rebellion taking shape. There were rumours that Pogba would try to force a move away by refusing to be a part of the pre-season.

All those rumours were squashed when Pogba was named in the pre-season squad and the Frenchman himself arrived at the Manchester Airport along with the United squad to board the flight to Australia. However, the whole episode seems to have caused a change of heart at United and the club are now apparently ready to negotiate a deal which will see Pogba leave. But that is not all. The Red Devils have also apparently asked Pogba for time to sign a replacement. The Frenchman, as such, will be a part of pre-season while United work undercover to find the player to replace his. And that search might already be over.

Manchester United have earmarked Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as the man to replace Paul Pogba and have initiated talks with the Serie A side to bring the Serbian to Old Trafford. Milinkovic-Savic was a subject of interest from a lot of clubs in Europe last summer, but after a rather poor season, those interests have cooled off. As such, United might find it easier to seal a deal, however, Lazio are holding out for at least €120m for their star man. United are reluctant to pay such a huge amount and are hoping that a deal can be struck for less.

#4 United reveal travelling squad for Pre-season tour

Solskjaer has a balanced squad for Pre-season
Solskjaer has a balanced squad for Pre-season

Manchester United's squad for the pre-season tour has been revealed and there are a few surprises. The inclusion of Paul Pogba was expected, however, quite a few names are missing. Fred is reportedly getting married next week if his wife's social media activity can be taken as a reference. Axel Tuanzebe will get a chance to impress on pre-season, but there is no place for Dean Henderson or Timothy Fosu-Mensah in the squad.

Henderson is believed to be on his way back to Sheffield United on loan, however, Timothy Fosu-Mensah's future at Old Trafford looks bleak, especially after failing to impress while on loan last season.

Here's the full squad list:

Goalkeepers: De Gea, Grant, J. Pereira and Sergio Romero

Defenders: Bailly, Dalot, Jones, Lindelof, Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw, Smalling, Tuanzebe, Wan-Bissaka and Young

Midfielders: Andreas Pereira, Chong, Garner, Gomes, James, Lingard, Matic, McTominay, Pogba and Mata.

Forward: Greenwood, Lukaku, Martial and Rashford.

#3 Juventus preparing £120m bid for Pogba

Juventus are preparing a £120m bid for Pogba
Juventus are preparing a £120m bid for Pogba

More on the Paul Pogba saga. The Times report that Juventus are preparing a £120m bid for the Frenchman. The Serie A Champions are desperate for Champions League glory and as such, have been investing heavily on their team this season. It is believed that the club hierarchy see Pogba as the final jigsaw of their puzzle and are desperate to bring the Frenchman back to Turin. However, Manchester United's reluctance to sell him has complicated matters.

Solskjaer had openly expressed his desire to build a team around the Frenchman earlier, but Pogba's open declaration of "time for change" has caused a series of changes in the club's plans. The Serie A Champions want to take advantage of the situation but are aware that Real Madrid are also looking to secure Pogba's services. The Spanish Giants also have players who interest United, which is a big advantage. Juventus as such, want to lure the Red Devils by providing cash upfront to make the deal enticing.

United value Pogba at £150m, so it remains to be seen if they can be coaxed to allow the Frenchman to leave at a lower price.

#2 Alexis Sanchez picks up injury while playing for Chile

Sanchez picked up an injury in Chile's last game in Copa America 2019
Sanchez picked up an injury in Chile's last game in Copa America 2019

One of the biggest surprises of the summer has been Alexis Sanchez's form for Chile. The Manchester United player represented his country in the Copa America and has been in inspired form. His performances had even given United fans a ray of hope for the upcoming season, but all that seems short-sighted now.

Alexis Sanchez picked up an injury while playing for Chile in the third-place game against Argentina. The United No. 7 was named in the starting eleven for his country and looked lively at the start. However, in the 17th minute of the game, Sanchez pulled up while attempting to chase a long ball. He had to be substituted and the extent of his injury is not known as of now. Chile ultimately lost the game 1-2.

Sanchez is not a part of the United pre-season squad list, as the Chilean had earned a deserved rest after his Copa America exploits. United fans will be hoping that Sanchez can recover from his injury well in time for the start of the new season.

#1 United urged to take a strong stance in the Pogba saga

Manchester United have been urged to take a strong stance in the Pogba saga
Manchester United have been urged to take a strong stance in the Pogba saga

Manchester United has been urged to take a strong stance in the Paul Pogba saga by former West Ham Goalkeeper and ESPN FC Pundit Shaka Hislop. He believes that surrendering to the demands of the player and his agent would send out the wrong message about the club. Hislop said:

If I’m Manchester United I put my foot down - ‘you’re not going anywhere’
Both Raiola and Paul Pogba have been clever in the way they’ve stated things and you can read it both ways.
But if I’m sitting in that Manchester United boardroom, I am only seeing this one way. Paul Pogba wants to go and they’re putting things in places to leave.
Manchester United, as a tough a time that they have had over the last couple of years, as much as they are shadows of their former selves, you want to establish some kind of authority in the market with players who have a contract, with agents that maybe think that they’re bigger than you are.
You just say ‘listen, nobody’s going anywhere. We can afford to keep you and pay you and not play you’.
Just for the long term benefit for United as a club, that’s the stance I take.

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Edited by Sai Teja
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