Manchester United transfer roundup: Huge internal problem for Barcelona in their pursuit of €100 million superstar and more - August 20, 2018

Hello and welcome to the Manchester United transfer roundup for the day! Things have been a little depressing of late as this space has been a bit dead since the conclusion of the transfer window.

Not many new stories have come out as all we are being fed is old stories rehashed in a new way. But the thing is, scrambled or omelette, both of them are eggs, which is what we are in for today with regards to the Manchester United transfer roundup.

So, without further ado, let’s begin!

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#5 De Gea

With Real Madrid’s acquisition of Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea, Manchester United breathed a sigh of relief as Madrid’s long-standing interest in David De Gea ended with it.

The Galacticos almost signed the Spaniard in 2015 but a fax machine issue broke the deal down at the very last minute. Ever since then, there was always speculation that the club would sign De Gea somewhere down the line.

For every window in the subsequent three years, De Gea was linked to the Galacticos. However, with the acquisition of Courtois – and Andriy Lunin – it seems as though the rumours have died an instant death.

Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, has revealed that the Spaniard will sign a new deal at the club.

“His [De Gea’s] valuation is zero because he is a Manchester United player who, as soon as possible, will sign a new contract,” he said.

“He likes it here, we love him, we want him to stay, he wants to stay, so when a player is not in the market the value is zero.”

The former Real Madrid manager then spoke about the rising prices of goalkeepers. According to him, goalkeepers are also players and are responsible for a team to win titles, which is why he is very happy to see them being acknowledged accordingly.

“A goalkeeper is a player and sometimes people forget that. A goalkeeper wins points and wins titles, so he is as important as another player.”

“The old story of ‘I’d pay that for a striker, but I wouldn’t pay it for a goalkeeper‘ is old-fashioned. The market now understands that and I am happy for the keepers.”

He also expressed his respect towards De Gea’s agent Jorge Mendes for not creating a ruckus to gain what he wanted.

“But with David, it is a collective situation involving the player, his agent [Jorge Mendes] and Manchester United.

“The agent didn’t create a war to try to achieve his objectives. He respected the club, he respected the player, the player was always keen to stay and happy to do so and the club understood how important he was.”

#4 January signings

Incoming January signings?

Former Arsenal star Paul Merson is of the opinion that Manchester United will make use of the January transfer window to sign players should they be in the title race at the time.

Jose Mourinho failed to land his targets in the summer and has started the season with a win and a loss from two games. While many are expecting the Red Devils to not be up there at the top, Merson believes that the Old Trafford outfit won’t sign anyone if that is the case.

“Who’s to say if they’re anywhere near the title challenge come Christmas or when the market opens again, they might take a chance then,” he said.

“They might take a chance. But if they’re 10 points behind or eight points behind, will they? I don’t think they will.”

#3 Pogba

Pogba was under par in the last game

Former Manchester United forward Alan Brazil has lashed out on Paul Pogba and has asked his former club to sell the player. Pogba has only just concluded a World Cup-winning campaign with France but it seems as though he is yet to win his critics for his performances with the Red Devils.

There have been rumours of the Frenchman wanting to leave the club due to his strained relationship with Jose Mourinho and Brazil thinks that he should be sold. He further claims that Pogba is arrogant and isn’t as consistent as the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva.

“I’m not happy with Pogba, I think he’s arrogant, he’s aloof,” Brazil told talkSPORT.

“The way he struts about, if he was playing eight-out-of-ten every week then I’d say, ‘well he’s got a point’, but he doesn’t!

“You look at Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva – week-in, week-out they are brilliant for City – but this guy comes along, and there’s no doubting his ability, but something is just not right.”

He then called for the Red Devils to sell him as he believes that it could actually strengthen the team.

“I think Jose is right to say, ‘look, you’re annoying the dressing room, you’re annoying me, if you don’t like it, see you later’.

“It’s best to get rid and I think that may strengthen Man United.

#2 More Pogba

Pogba taking a penalty

With Paul Pogba’s future seemingly in the balance, there is no chance that he will leave in this summer window, according to Express. The report states that Barcelona have accepted the fact that the Red Devils won’t sell their star man this summer.

They also add that while a January move is being eyed, Barca are aware that the Old Trafford outfit won’t entertain any offers for him in the winter, which means they will have to wait for the Frenchman for at least another summer.

Alan Brazil will not be happy to know this, we reckon.

#1 Rakitic

Rakitic will leave if Pogba comes

Apropos to the last slide, the signing of Pogba from Manchester United seems complicated with not only the Red Devils not wanting to let go of him but Barcelona having Ivan Rakitic in their side.

According to Don Balon, Ernesto Valverde is not interested in the idea of bringing Paul Pogba to the Catalan outfit since the midfield is already healthy with the acquisition of Arturo Vidal and Arthur and the club already has Ivan Rakitic.

In addition to that, the signing of the Frenchman would see Rakitic leave the Camp Nou, something which Valverde doesn’t want.