talkSPORT.com rounds up all the latest transfer news and gossip from Wednesday’s papers and online…
Juventus believe they are leading the race to sign Paul Pogba from Manchester United. Pogba has long been linked with an Old Trafford exit, and a departure this summer is considered likely given the midfielder has endured a tough, injury-hit season. Real Madrid and Pogba’s former club Juventus are understood to be in for him, though the Italians are confident in the transfer battle. (Tuttosport)
Manchester City are hoping to sign Brescia midfielder Sandro Tonali, reports claim. Tonali, 19, is rated as one of the best young players in Europe and is wanted by a host of the continent’s top clubs, including Juventus and PSG. City and Chelsea have previously been named as rivals for the teen’s signature, and Pep Guardiola’s side are again linked with Tonali. The midfielder has already made 74 club appearances and earned three caps for Italy despite not yet turning 20. (Tuttosport)
Clive Tyldesley commentates on wife making lasagne as coronavirus cancels football across country
Gareth Bale could leave Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer. Bale was close to departing Los Blancos last June for China, though a move collapsed at the eleventh hour. He was also linked with a January deadline day return to Tottenham, but, again, no move materialised. Real could now sanction his exit for free as the LaLiga giants are aware he will occupy a valuable non-EU player spot when the Brexit transition period comes to an end on December 31, 2020. (Marca)
Henrikh Mkhitaryan has spent the season on loan at Roma from Arsenal, and the Gunners want to sell him permanently this summer. Roma also want to sign Mkhitaryan, the Armenia midfielder, on a full-time basis given he has scored six goals and created a further four during his loan stay in Italy. Mkhitaryan joined Arsenal from Man United in January 2018. (Express)
Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea owner, has seen his net worth drop by £2.4BILLION this year due to coronavirus. A number of Russia’s top billionaires have seen their net worth fall amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with president Vladimir Putin himself said to have lost £2.8bn. Abramovich, who took charge of Chelsea in 2003, is understood to still be worth £10.95bn. (Moscow Times, via Star)
Manchester United will make a ‘significant effort’ to sign Samuel Umtiti from Barcelona this summer. Centre-back Umtiti could be sold by Barca given they need to raise over €100m in player sales before the start of next season. Umtiti has been a long-term target of Man United’s, though Arsenal may enter the race and rival the Red Devils in the summer transfer window. – FULL STORY
Manchester United have triggered a clause to extend Nemanja Matic’s contract by a year. The 31-year-old midfielder was entering the final months of his existing deal and the Red Devils decided to exercise the option to keep him at the club until next summer. Discussions are thought to be taking place over a longer term contract for the midfielder, who joined from Chelsea in 2017. – FULL STORY
