TRANSFER ROUNDUP: Lewandowski To Move To The Premier League, Pedro Wants A Barcelona Return, And More
Manchester United Targeting Swiss Wonderkid Breel Embolo
Jose Mourinho is interested in bringing Breel Embolo to Manchester United, according to Bild.
Embolo broke out into Basel’s first team in the 2013-14 season, and has been hugely impressive ever since, having already played 61 league games for the Swiss club. Due to his dazzling performances, the 19-year-old forward is being targeted by various clubs, but United seem to be the front runners in the race for his signature, as Jose Mourinho is adamant on bringing him to the Old Trafford club.
As per the report, the Red Devils are willing to pay €35 million to secure Embolo’s services, and are set to offer the youngster a salary worth £4m-a-year. German publication Leipziger Volkszeitung has further echoed this report by claiming that the English giants are willing to pay whatever amount it takes to sign Embolo.
Pedro Reveals His Desire To Return To Barcelona
Chelsea winger Pedro has revealed his desire to return to FC Barcelona in a recent interview with BeIN Sports.
The 28-year-old moved from Barcelona to Chelsea for a fee of £19 million, joining the Stamford Bridge club on a four-year contract only last summer. The Spaniard has since made 48 appearances for the Blues, netting 9 goals in the process.
However, after spending just one season at the Premier League club, Pedro is already hoping to return to Barcelona. In an interview with BeIN Sports, Pedro was quoted as saying: “Hopefully (I can return to Barcelona) but I know it’s hard. I have already spoken about it with the President when we (Barcelona) were in the (Cup) final (when Barcelona beat Sevilla 2-0 last month) and spoke to all the people who want me there.
“It’s complicated, but I’ve always said that I would like to retire at Barcelona. However, I know it’s difficult because the years go by and the club has the best players in the world, it is a very demanding club and to return is complicated. But I do not rule it out either.
“I had been 11 or 12 years in Barcelona, my family is from there and also many friends. The fans loved me, I felt very valued around the club, and it’s always hard to leave the club of your dreams.”
Real Madrid To Lure Paul Pogba To Spain By Offering Him A Bumper Deal
Real Madrid are set to steal Paul Pogba away from Manchester United’s grasp by offering him a bumper contract, according to reports from Spain.
Paul Pogba left Manchester United in 2012 after falling out with Sir Alex Ferguson due to limited first team opportunities. The Frenchman moved to Juventus, where he has enjoyed enormous success, having won four league titles in all the four seasons he has spent in Turin. However, the 23-year-old now looks set to depart from Italy, and is being linked with potential moves to almost all the mammoth clubs in Europe.
According to rumours, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City – who were also one of the contenders in the race for Pogba’s services – have now pulled out after signing Ilkay Gundogan from Borussia Dortmund, thereby leaving the Red Devils the clear favourites to sign Pogba. However, Real Madrid are now set to hijack United’s transfer, and lure the France international to Santiago Bernabeu.
As per Sport, Pogba wants to join a club that will offer him a contract worth £430,000-a-week, which amounts to a total of £23 million for one season, and an astonishing £118 million over five years. Furthermore, the amount will only increase if the commission of midfielder’s agent Mino Raiola is taken into consideration. And with United reluctant to pay such a high sum on their academy graduate, Real Madrid have become the favourites to secure the star man’s services. Madrid president Florentino Perez is keen on the deal, and will readily offer Pogba the aforementioned bumper contract, making him the European Champions’ highest paid player – ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
Lewandowski Considering A Move To England
Robert Lewandowski is considering a move to join a Premier League side, according to reports in Germany.
Lewandowski joined Bayern Munich for free in 2014, as soon as his contract with former club Borussia Dortmund expired. The Polish international has since scored 67 goals in 100 games for the Bavarians, establishing himself as one of the best strikers in the world in the process. His lethal nature in front of goal has attracted interest from top European clubs, such as Arsenal, Liverpool, both the Manchester clubs, and also the eleven time European Champions Real Madrid.
Amidst such reports, the star striker seems to have gotten unsettled at Bayern, and only a few weeks ago, he was heard undermining the importance of contracts, hinting at his own deal with the Bundesliga champions. He was quoted as saying: “Contracts are not a holy relic in football. You can like this attitude or not but it’s the truth. Sometimes you have to think about if it is meaningful to try out a new impulse. I’ve been in Germany for six years, have won everything here. Sometimes you have to consider whether it makes sense to try something new.”
The 27-year-old looks interested in parting ways with the German champions, and if reports are to be believed, he may soon be on his way to the Premier League. Lewandowski could reunite with his former boss Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, or may even head to join Jose Mourinho at Manchester United – a club towards which the striker has expressed a strong liking in the past. The Gunners may also try their best to lure the Bayern ace to the Emirates, so as to strengthen their strike force.
Jose Mourinho Keen On Signing Raphael Varane
Jose Mourinho is keen on bringing Raphael Varane to Manchester United, according to Manchester Evening News.
Mourinho is believed to be a huge fan of Varane, and in fact, it was the Special One who lured the Frenchman to Real Madrid from Lens, back in 2011. Varane thrived under the Portuguese tactician during their time together in Madrid, but is now stuck on the bench and being left out of crucial games, after falling out of current manager Zinedine Zidane’s favour, who prefers the centre-back pairing of Pepe and Sergio Ramos instead.
Varane therefore looks set to leave the European Champions, and could be on his way to United, especially with Mourinho keen of getting reunited with the 23-year-old. Real value the young centre-back around £30 million – a sum Manchester United could easily pay given their financial resources.