Paper Round: Jose wants Real Madrid to pursue Pogba, Wenger's last words to Giroud
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Updated 20/02/2018 at 03:47 GMT
Jose Mourinho wants his star player to leave for another, while Olivier Giroud has revealed Arsene Wenger's final words... before the striker left for Chelsea, that is. It's Tuesday's Paper Round.
Paul Pogba
Image credit: Reuters
Pogba out for Kroos?
Jose Mourinho hopes Real Madrid will step up their pursuit of Paul Pogba, as it would pave the way for Toni Kroos to join Manchester United, the Mirror reports. The paper claims that a bust-up between Pogba and Mourinho, mainly over their system and where he fits within it, means the Frenchman could be on his way out of Old Trafford.
Paper Round's view: Well this all sounds rather outlandish, as does the notion that one quality player must make way for another. If Kroos can play alongside Casemiro and Luka Modric, there's no reason why Kroos and Pogba cannot fit into the same team. Whatever this issue with Pogba is, if there even is one, it'll soon blow over.
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Wenger's final words to Giroud
Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has revealed the final conversation he had with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger before leaving the club in January. With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang arriving at the Emirates, Giroud''s already-limited playing time seemed likely to diminish further, leading him to join rivals Chelsea before the window closed. Giroud opened up about the last words he had with Wenger:
I went to see the coach to ask him where he was with Aubameyang. I put him under a bit of pressure, like my agent, who I spoke to several times a day. It is normal. I did not want to be deprived of going to Chelsea which was the best solution for me. The coach immediately said to me: 'Don't worry, I will do my best so that you are happy'. On one side, it was normal. I had never asked to leave. "On the other, I knew that he would not cause problems given the relationship we had always had. He even said to me that it would p*** him off if I did not go to Russia.
Paper Round's view: All very amicable, and no surprise either. Despite struggling for starts, it cannot have been easy for Giroud to move on, and it's reassuring to see and hear of a player leaving on good terms.
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Spurs still want Zaha
Despite signing winger Lucas Moura from PSG in January, Tottenham are still planning on making a move for Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha in the summer, according to the Mirror. Spurs have twice failed to land the Ivorian, but will step up their pursuit for the Palace star once more in the summer. However, they will face competition from rivals Chelsea and Manchester City.
Paper Round's view: Zaha rightly accepted the step down from Man Utd to Palace in his pursuit of more playing time back in 2015, but is he ready for a return to one of the big boys? You fear the trio of clubs mentioned would not have him down as a starter, though their squads would certainly strengthen with his presence. Zaha must choose his next move wisely.
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