Friday's big transfer rumours: What Manchester United must do to keep Paul Pogba
The Frenchman has some eye-watering wage demands, reports today's tabloids
What the papers say
Manchester United may have to be prepared to break the bank if they want to keep Paul Pogba for the long term. The Sun reports that the club are open to starting negotiations with the Frenchman, but he's said to want a top pay packet of £500,000 per week. With Real Madrid reported to be lining up a summer bid for the 23-year-old midfielder, United may be willing to meet the demands.
Meanwhile, United look poised to agree to David de Gea’s wage request to fend off PSG, the Independent says. The goalkeeper has been in lengthy talks with the club amid a deadlock on a demand for a £350,000-a-week salary, it says, but that could be about to change as the clock ticks down on the Spaniard’s current contract – which ends next summer.
Neil Warnock could be set to leave Cardiff at the end of the season, the Mail says. It is reported that several players believe the Bluebirds boss may end his reign at the end of the term even if he can save them from relegation. The club currently hold the final relegation spot, five points adrift of Burnley, Southampton and Brighton.
After Steve McClaren’s sacking, attentions are turning to the former QPR boss’s replacement. According to the Evening Standard, former Tottenham and Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood looks to be leading the race, with Charlton manager Lee Bowyer and Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth also tipped to be among the shortlist.
Social media round-up
Man Utd outcast emerges as shock £35m Real Madrid transfer target https://t.co/MX9TMjL4z3pic.twitter.com/lCK65KpbEk— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) April 5, 2019
Ryan Fraser thrilled at transfer link to 'massive club' Arsenal https://t.co/GO06C5yP43pic.twitter.com/oDMDFsGO1Y— The Sun Football (@TheSunFootball) April 4, 2019
Players to watch
Eric Bailly: The Manchester United defender could be heading to Real Madrid, The Sun reports, with Zinedine Zidane said to be targeting the 24-year-old for a £35million move in the summer.
Declan Rice and Callum Hudson-Odoi: In a bid to strengthen his squad with British players, Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is said to be eyeing the England international duo, The Times says.
Then read...
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
QUIZ! Can you name the three most expensive signings for every Premier League club?
REVEALED How much EVERY Premier League club has paid in agents' fees this season
While you're here, why not take advantage of our brilliant new subscribers' offer? Get 5 copies of the world's greatest football magazine for just £5 – the game's greatest stories and finest journalism direct to your door for less than the cost of a London pint. Cheers!
FourFourTwo was launched in 1994 on the back of a World Cup that England hadn’t even qualified for. It was an act of madness… but it somehow worked out. Our mission is to offer our intelligent, international audience access to the game’s biggest names, insightful analysis... and a bit of a giggle. We unashamedly love this game and we hope that our coverage reflects that.