Hello and welcome to the Premier League transfer news and rumours of the day! Here are the top stories of the day surrounding the Premier League!
Ince on Pogba
Former Manchester United star Paul Ince is of the opinion that Paul Pogba is set to leave Manchester United in the summer. The Frenchman has been linked with a move to Real Madrid ever since Zinedine Zidane took over the reins at the Santiago Bernabeu.
And now, Ince thinks that while some players may have to leave if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to rebuild, others might just want to leave anyway: and among them is Paul Pogba. Ince thinks that Ole should try to persuade Pogba to stay by building the system around him.
However, he doesn’t think that Pogba will stick with United beyond this season as the prospect of joining a huge club like Real Madrid is always enticing. As a result, the Norwegian manager has a huge task at hand this summer.
"There are players who need to move on if Ole wants to re-build," Ince said in his PaddyPower column. "But also, there may well be a few players who seem to want to move on themselves regardless.
"The main culprit of that, I believe, is Paul Pogba. Ole needs to convince him that he’s going to build the team around him going forwards if he wants him to stay. Honestly, I don’t think Pogba will be at Old Trafford next season.
"It’s always hard when Real Madrid come knocking, but I’m not sure Pogba’s ever settled at United since he came back, and a move could be on the cards.
"It’s Ole’s job to do some convincing now, convince players like Pogba and David de Gea that they’re better off at Old Trafford."
More on Pogba
Former Real Madrid superstar Pedja Mijatovic has claimed that Paul Pogba might just end up joining Real Madrid this summer. As the transfer window draws closer, rumours of Pogba joining the Galacticos keep getting stronger.
And Mijatovic thinks that Zidane’s clear admiration for the player means that the Galacticos are going to do everything in their power to sign him, given that he is a great player and is also in good form at the moment.
"If Zidane spoke so clearly about a player like that, he likes him a lot and if he likes him that much, Real Madrid will do everything possible to sign him.
"He is a unique player. He is playing very well at the moment.
"Zidane knows him from previous years, he is French and if he likes him so much they will do everything to sign him."
Rafa extension
Former Newcastle star Shola Ameobi has claimed that Rafa Benitez should be handed a contract extension at Newcastle United. The Spaniard has been compared to the legendary Bobby Robson and Ameobi understands why he is talked of in the same bracket as Robson.
Ameobi thinks that Benitez has an aura and understands the fans’ demands. He also stated that it would be bad if Benitez isn’t held on to, as a manager of his quality should be retained, no matter what.
“There’s nobody like Sir Bobby, and what he meant to the area as well. He’s all on his own – but I do get the comparisons because Rafa is a top-class manager.
“He understands the fans and he has that aura about him that you need at Newcastle. It will be such a shame if we don’t keep him because he is the key. When you have a manager like him you don’t want to be letting him go. It is imperative we do all we can to keep him.”
Manchester madness
Manchester United might have undergone a resurgence under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but there is no doubt that the Red Devils need to rebuild in the summer. Their recent loss against Wolves revealed the crevices in their squad.
And according to Independent, Jadon Sancho is the number one target for the Red Devils. The former Manchester City star is having a breakthrough season with Borussia Dortmund and the report claims that the Red Devils are going to make a £100 million bid for him.
Meanwhile, Manchester City have identified Rodri of Atletico Madrid as a potential successor to the throne of Fernandinho. The Spanish midfielder is a superb passer and dictator of the tempo of a match. The best part, however, is that his release clause is only €70 million and Manchester City could easily trigger it should they want him and the fact that he is so young makes the sum look small in the long-term.