Manchester United transfer roundup: Zidane favourite to replace Mourinho as United willing to swap €168 million superstar for €120 La Liga ace and more – August 2, 2018

Hello and welcome to the Manchester United transfer roundup for the day! With each passing moment, the pressure to make signings is increasing for the Red Devils as there are only 7 days left for the Old Trafford outfit to purchase players.

Once again, they have been linked with some new stars and once again, there are updates regarding old links. So without further ado, let’s begin!

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#5 Mina, Maguire and Kovacic

9th of August is not so far away and Manchester United have seemingly accelerated the process to make signings before the window slams shut. Ideally, according to Mourinho himself, he wants two more signings but realistically – again, according to the Portuguese himself – the Red Devils can get only one.

And perhaps the one they can get is a defender – at least that is what the vibes are. According to Sky Sports, the Old Trafford outfit have cooled down their interest in Harry Maguire and have, instead, turned their attention towards Yerry Mina of Barcelona.

The report adds that Leicester City value Maguire at £65 million and that they remain unmoved in their decision of keeping him at the King Power Stadium after an excellent campaign topped off with a great showing at the World Cup in Russia.

Yerry Mina, on the other hand, can be bought for as little as £30 million, just seven months after Barcelona signed him for £10 million. This is also something that The Sun reports as they claim that Manchester United have sent a negotiator to fix a deal for the defender.

The Sun, however, have quoted a slightly higher price at £35 million for the Colombian who had an outstanding World Cup with his nation as he not only defended well but also scored goals at crucial junctures of the game.

Meanwhile, as if Mourinho hasn’t already faced enough dejection in the transfer market, Real Madrid’s Mateo Kovacic has rejected a €60 million move to the Old Trafford because he doesn’t believe that the Portuguese’s tactics suit him – according to Marca.

And this is a guy who has openly claimed that he wants to leave Madrid in order to get more playing time.

#4 Dries Mertens

Backup

plan to Perisic?

The two positions that Manchester United reportedly want to strengthen in are defence and wing. As a result, for the latter, Ivan Perisic is the guy they had targeted initially but since his price-tag has soured up after a great World Cup, the Red Devils may have turned their attention to someone else.

According to Transfer Market Web, the Old Trafford outfit have now shifted their focus towards Napoli’s Dries Mertens. The 31-year-old is a winger turned striker and could be let go by the Naples outfit for €40 million.

#3 Anthony Martial

Martial to move out?

The animosity between Jose Mourinho and Anthony Martial may have reached a point where it is simply irreparable. The Portuguese wasn’t pleased with the fact that Martial took extra days off from training to attend his girlfriend who just gave birth to their child.

This, combined with the fact that the Frenchman already wants to leave, could see the former Monaco starlet leave the Theatre of Dreams. And now, OK Diario claim that Real Madrid see Martial as a cheaper alternative to Eden Hazard as it is a risk worth taking, all things considered.

#2 Zinedine Zidane

Real Madrid Press Conference

Wait, what? What is Zinedine Zidane doing in the roundups of Manchester United? Well, he might just be on the dugout of the Old Trafford somewhere down the line if reports from Spanish media are to be believed.

According to Don Balon, Mourinho’s less-than-impressive performance with the Red Devils, coupled with his erratic behaviour while on tour for pre-season matches, could see him get sacked.

As a result, they are already shortlisting possible candidates to replace the former Real Madrid manager – and, guess what, another former Galactico manager could take over the reins from him.

Zinedine Zidane – the man on the top of the list of candidates.

#1 Paul Pogba

Rakitic for Pogba?

Lionel Messi is now 100% focused with Barcelona after his failures with Argentina. He realizes that the team needs another midfielder and he wants Paul Pogba since he is a proven and elite midfielder, say Don Balon.

This theory takes a further step forward as the same outlet claim that Jose Mourinho is willing to let go of Paul Pogba, who is rated at €168 million, to Barcelona but wants one of their midfielders in a swap deal.

And the player is Ivan Rakitic, who has a €120 million release clause in his contract. The idea is that Mourinho doesn’t want to lose bite in midfield with the sale of Pogba and eyes the former Sevilla man in return.