Pogba Pauled in all directions
Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba is at the centre of a £60m tug of war between four of Europe’s top clubs.
The saga of the summer shows no signs of letting up with Real Madrid, Paris St Germain and Barcelona now joining Manchester City in the race for the 22-year-old, the Mirror report.
The Sun claim Barca have already opened talks with Juve over their prodigious French star. But the Telegraph say City boss Manuel Pellegrini will line up a bid for Aston Villa star Fabian Delph if he doesn’t bag Pogba.
The saga continues.
Gunners Cech Chelsea’s Ox swap bid
Arsenal have rejected Chelsea’s bid to sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in a swap deal for veteran goalkeeper Petr Cech.
Jose Mourinho wants to bring The Ox to Stamford Bridge and would be willing to send Cech the the other way, say the Mirror.
But Wenger would rather stump up the £10m in a cash-only deal for the Blues’ ‘keeper.
If they lose Cech to Arsenal, the Telegraph say Mourinho will target Stoke’s highly-rated stopper Asmir Begovic as a replacement.
Real want to Nic Otamendi off United
Manchester United’s hopes of signing £35m-rated Argentine defender Nicolas Otamendi have taken a dent.
The Daily Star say new Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez is keen on signing the 27-year-old from Valencia.
Meanwhile the London Evening Standard say United are looking to test Tottenham Hotspur’s resolve with a £25m bid for Hugo Lloris to replace David de Gea, who looks almost certain to be heading to Spain.
And the rest of the best…
* Inter Milan have said ‘thanks, but no thanks’ to an offer from Liverpool for midfielder Mateo Kovacic which involved Mario Balotelli, a bunch of flowers and a card (we’re told). (Liverpool Echo)
*It could be out of the frying pan and into the fire if Demba Ba ends his Besiktas hell to join either West Brom or West Ham. (Times)
*Autin will be costin’ £15m, QPR have warned Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle if they want the 25-year-old striker. (Express)
*Former Liverpool striker Ryan Babel is only 28. Oh yes, and Swansea are apparently keen on signing the Dutchman from Turkish club Kasimpasa. (Mail)
