Manchester United transfer roundup: United attempt to sign first £100 million defender as Madrid want Pogba for £446 million superstar - September 12, 2018

Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester United - Premier League
Pogba to leave?

Hello and welcome to the Manchester United transfer news for the day! There seems to be no rest for the people in the transfer mill as there are plenty of transfer-related rumours going around Europe.

However, our focus is not on Europe but rather just one of the biggest clubs in the world: Manchester United. And here, too, there is no shortage of reports. So, without further ado, let’s begin!


#5 Ramsey

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey is being tipped with a move to Manchester United or Chelsea by former Gunner, Nigel Winterburn. The former Cardiff starlet’s contract with the North London outfit is set to expire by the end of the season and talks of the club offering the Welshman an extension haven’t come to a conclusion as of yet.

According to Winterburn, Aaron Ramsey will generate a lot of interest due to his stature as a player, quoting both Chelsea and the Red Devils as clubs who could snap him up should he really want to leave the Emirates.

“With less than a year remaining on his contract, Ramsey is in a very strong negotiating position and is also a very attractive proposition for a lot of big clubs around Europe," he said.

“I’m sure lots of top clubs are monitoring the situation and are ready to poach him.

“I think Manchester United and Chelsea will both battle it out to sign him if they feel he is seriously considering leaving Arsenal.”

He, however, also added that while Ramsey can’t get a place in the starting XI of Liverpool and Manchester City, Arsenal fans would be displeased to see another one of their star players moving for greener pastures.

“I don't think he could get into the Manchester City and Liverpool teams, but it would hurt Arsenal fans to see another of their superstars leave to a Premier League rival.”

As a result, Winterburn hopes that the Welshman signs an extension with the club.

“I hope Ramsey signs a new contract at Arsenal.”

#4 Leonardo Bonucci

Portugal v Italy - UEFA Nations League A
Mourinho wanted him

Manchester United’s desire to sign a defender was a well-documented case in the summer transfer window as the Red Devils were linked with a plethora of defenders. It got to such a point that United were linked with every defender under the sun (well, almost… okay, not quite).

In the end, however, they could sign no-one as the transfer window slammed shut. And as it happens after every event in history, new reports come out every once in a while to reveal what went down.

According to The Sun, Mourinho wanted the Italian defender to come to Old Trafford but the Manchester United board refused to comply as they didn’t feel the investment gave much value for money.

#3 Pogba

Burnley FC v Manchester United - Premier League
Pogba's future uncertain

Paul Pogba’s future with the Old Trafford outfit might just not be as long-lived as the fans had hoped for when the Red Devils bought him back for a then world-record sum of £89 million.

Rumours are continuously linking him with a move out of the club, with both Barcelona and Juventus touted as the next possible destination. In fact, former Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo is of the opinion that Pogba could actually come back to Turin.

“It would not surprise me because Juventus is looking for the best and if one player goes away it is not said that they cannot return,” Pirlo said.

#2 Raphael Varane

Real Madrid v AC Milan - Pre-Season Friendly
Madrid's finest

The day isn’t far when we get to see the first £100 million defender in the football fraternity. Virgil Van Dijk already came 75% close to it when Liverpool made him the most expensive defender by signing him for £75 million last January.

If there is one defender that could easily break Van Dijk’s record, it is none other than Real Madrid center-back, Raphael Varane. According to Manchester Evening News, senior officials at the Old Trafford want to make the French World Cup-winning defender the first £100 million defender in January.

The problem, however, lies in the fact that the defender has a contract till 2022 with Real Madrid, which means that the Blancos might not be willing to do business even when offered the quoted amount.

#1 James

Colombia v Uruguay: Round of 16 - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil
Colombia's best

After the 2014 World Cup, James Rodriguez became an undisputed star with the world at his feet. A move to Madrid beckoned and while he might have won a Champions League title with them – as well as a league title – his time at the Bernabeu didn’t go as well as it was expected.

As a result, he got loaned for two years to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2017 and has been with the Bavarians since then. With Zinedine Zidane’s named being linked to Manchester United, the Frenchman wants to bring the Colombian to the Old Trafford.

Real Madrid, however, won’t be accepting just cash for the former Porto star. According to Don Balon, Real Madrid will try to bring Paul Pogba in return from Old Trafford. Rodriguez has €500 million (£446 million).

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Edited by Arvind Sriram
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