Transfer news: Paul Pogba to Manchester United is 'completed', Arsenal to meet with Mauro Icardi's agent, Chelsea latest
The biggest transfer news and rumours on Friday 05 August
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Your support makes all the difference.Paul Pogba’s move to Manchester United will be announced once the midfielder returns from his holiday in the United States, with a world record transfer agreed with Juventus after prolonged talks between the two clubs, according to reports.
Pogba is expected to become the most expensive player in the world once he completes a return to Old Trafford, four years after leaving the Premier League side for just £800,000. It’s claimed that the 23-year-old has agreed a five-year contract worth £275,000-a-week in a deal that will make him the highest paid player in the Premier League, and the Manchester Evening News claim that the transfer is ready to be completed.
The only problem is that Pogba remains on holiday following his exploits at Euro 2016, and despite the deal being agreed with the Serie A champions, it cannot be completed until the midfielder returns to Europe.
United manager Jose Mourinho has been vocal in his determination to sign a fourth player this summer before the season begins, and while he has stopped short of confirming that his priority target is Pogba, it has become common knowledge that the Portuguese is determined to sign the France international.
It’s added that Pogba personally preferred to join Real Madrid, but was convinced by his agent, Mino Raiola, to return to Old Trafford as it would be the better decision for his career.
Arsenal could yet move for Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi after it was reported in Italy that his agent is due to fly to London to hold talks with the Premier League clubs over a possible transfer.
According to Italian newspaper Calciomercato, Icardi’s agent and wife, Wanda Nara, is expected to arrive in the English capital this weekend to hold tentative talks with the Gunners. Icardi took to Twitter earlier this week to profess his love for Inter, although his future remains up in the air with Napoli also interest in the 23-year-old.
"Not long now until the start of the season," Icardi tweeted on Tuesday. "It's not long now for these moments of joy.
"Black like the night, blue like the sky and gold like the stars. #CrazyInter #CrazyLikeMe #Loveit."
A final tweet read: "Welcome my home #HomeSweetHome" alongside a picture of the San Siro.
Everton feature heavily among the transfer headlines with interest in Wolfsburg attacking midfielder Julian Draxler – as revealed by The Independent – but it’s the future of two of their own players that could have a major impact on how their season unfolds.
The Toffees are reported to have offered striker Romelu Lukaku £135,000-a-week to stay at Goodison Park and reject the advances of Chelsea, with the Blues determined to re-sign the player two years after allowing him to leave for £28m.
Chelsea have already seen a £57m offer rejected, with Everton holding out for £75m, and the London side are believed to be confident of signing Lukaku with an improved £67m bid. However, Everton have made it clear they do not want to sell Lukaku this summer, and have offered him a new deal in the hope of keeping the Belgium striker for at least another season.
Another player facing a possible Goodison Park exit is defender John Stones, with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola determined to sign the England international after publicly confirming his interest last month.
Sky Sports claim that Everton will not allow Stones to leave the club for anything less than £50m, with City keen to lower the asking price to around £40m.
Chelsea striker Diego Costa looks set to remain at Stamford Bridge for the 2016/17 season after Atletico Madrid conceded defeat in their pursuit of the Brazil-born Spain striker. Atletico’s signing of Kevin Gameiro from Sevilla suggested that their Costa pursuit was coming to an end, and Spanish newspaper Marca was quoted the La Liga club’s president, Enrique Cerezo, in confirming that a summer move is not going to happen.
"Costa [talks] do not have a long tail or anything of the sort," Cerezo said. "Diego has a contract with Chelsea and he belongs to Antonio Conte's team. Chelsea are our friends, just as the great Atletico man Diego Costa is our friend. But his place is with Chelsea and we are sure that he will be successful there. We cherish Diego for what he has given us and he knows where his home is."
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