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Paper Round: Sergio Aguero will not accept FA ban for elbow, Barcelona had 'first pick' on Pogba

Ben Cuzzupe

Updated 02/09/2016 at 07:50 GMT

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero will contest his ban and Barcelona reveal they could have signed Paul Pogba. It's Friday's Paper Round...

Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola (R) greets Manchester City's Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero

Image credit: AFP

City to appeal Aguero elbow ban

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero will not accept his three-match ban for his elbow on West Ham's Winston Reid, reports The Sun.
His club will claim that referee Andre Marriner must have seen the incident and thereby should not have passed on the decision to a three-man FA panel.
Paper Round's view: As we reported yesterday, this could be a clever gamble by City as an extra game ban, against Swansea, if his appeal fails is well worth the risk as if the suspension is overturned, he can play in the Manchester derby on Saturday 10.
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Barcelona reveal agreement to sign Paul Pogba

Barcelona have revealed they had "first pick" on Paul Pogba, according to the Sun. The report says that the club had signed a priority option with Juventus 12 months ago, with Barca's director of sporting relations admitting they could have signed the French midfielder. When Juventus, at the end of last season, appeared to want to keep Pogba, Barcelona went after a cheaper option in Valencia's Andre Gomes, which allowed Manchester United to step in and purchase the star.
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Paul Pogba

Image credit: AFP

Paper Round's view: This reveals the changing dynamics of football, where English clubs now are ahead of even the Spanish giants in capturing the signatures of players they desire. It will be interesting in the long term to see if this balance will translate to the Champions League stage, and whether competition on-field will become closer between English and continental giants.
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Jack Butland out for two more months

Stoke and England shot-stopper Jack Butland is out for a further two months with his troublesome ankle, according to the Daily Mail. The report says that Butland is not responding to treatment for his ankle, which he injured in England's win over Germany in March. Butland will miss another eight games for Stoke, which damages his chances in the short-term of getting the number 1 from Joe Hart or Fraser Forster.
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Stoke City's Jack Butland in action

Image credit: Reuters

Paper Round's view: Sometimes in football, luck can be everything that defines a career. Butland is more than talented enough to move into the number one role, but has been unfortunately held back after this injury issue. Regardless of if you believe it should be Forster or Butland, this summer was a clear reminder that Joe Hart's days should rightfully be numbered.
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Southampton's Alex McCarthy gets England call-up

Alex McCarthy has been called into England's squad, according to the Daily Mail. The report says that McCarthy is in the squad, thanks to fellow Southampton team-mate Fraser Forster who withdrew from the squad against Slovakia with an arm injury. With Jack Butland still treating his ankle injury, the uncapped 26-year-old has been called into the squad alongside Joe Hart and Burnley's Tom Heaton.
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Alex McCarthy keeping for Crystal Palace, before his move to Southampton in the summer.

Image credit: Eurosport

Paper Round's view: A pressured start to the England job for Big Sam, with some late fumbling to organise a fit list of goalkeepers to choose from. While he might be tempted to fall back on Hart, McCarthy at the very least deserves a go to see what he's capable of.
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Liverpool valued at nearly a billion by Chinese investment group

A Chinese group who wish to purchase a stake in Liverpool, value the club at nearly a billion dollars according to the Sun. The report says that a financier linked to the Hong Kong-based China Everbright Group, values the club at about £750million. The club's owners, Fenway Sports Group, have no intention to sell but might offer a minority stake for the interested Chinese consortium. It comes as there are reports that the Chinese investment group is interested in buying a slice of the club, due to the valuation of the new broadcast deal and more seats added to Anfield.
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Anfield

Image credit: Reuters


Paper Round's view: Manchester City sold a minority stake to a group linked to the Chinese government, which not only paid for their summer splurge but also Pep Guardiola's move to the club. Considering Liverpool have struggled to sign world-class players, a deal like this could find the funds for the Fenway Group to splahs out on world-class talent.
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