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Paper Round: Frustrated Mino Raiola wants Paul Pogba Manchester United exit

Alexander Netherton

Updated 18/03/2018 at 09:18 GMT

Paul Pogba could leave Manchester United, Luis Enrique is waiting for Arsenal, Real Madrid will battle Liverpool for Alisson, and Julian Draxler may quit PSG.

Paul Pogba

Image credit: Getty Images

Raiola masterminds Pogba exit

Paul Pogba could be leaving Manchester United in the summer, with news in The Sunday Miirror that his agent, Mino Raiola, is looking for takers for the 25-year-old French international. Raiola is disappointed that Pogba has featured in only half of United's games this season, but is mindful that he has other clients who will stay at Old Trafford. Pogba, however, is happy to stay.
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Manchester United's Paul Pogba reacts

Image credit: Reuters

Paper Round's view: Given Raiola received £41m when Pogba moved to United, according to reports, it is perhaps understandable that his solution to the current detente is to organise another big-money move for his client. However, Pogba doesn't appear desperate to move and with plenty of the dross set for an Old Trafford clearance in the summer, perhaps he expects next season to be more to his liking.

Enrique to choose between Chelsea and Arsenal

Luis Enrique is a target for Paris Saint-Germain, who are expected to let Unai Emery go in the summer. However, he would prefer to choose between two London clubs, Arsenal and Chelsea. While Arsenal are not in the Champions League, and probably won't be given their likeliest route to the competition is the Europa League, Enrique is conscious of Chelsea's habit of sacking managers after only a couple of seasons.
Paper Round's view: Enrique may be mistaken to think he will get stability at Arsenal. Post-Ferguson, Manchester United gave David Moyes less than a year of a six-year contract, and Louis van Gaal knew he would be sacked before the end of his second season. However, he can't be blamed for looking at Chelsea's treatment of managers and decide that he would prefer a less capricious approach.

Real face battle with Liverpool for Alisson

Liverpool want Roma's goalkeeper Alisson, and he is likely to cost around £70m. The problem for them is that he is Real Madrid's top priority to replace Keylor Navas in goal, given David de Gea is expected to sign a new deal at Old Trafford. The 25-year-old Brazilian has impressed for Roma this season, and Liverpool may turn to Bernd Leno as their next target.
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Alisson Becker of AS Roma (Getty Images)

Image credit: Getty Images

Paper Round's view: If Real Madrid want Alisson, then it is hard to imagine that he would be much interested in joining Liverpool, despite Jurgen Klopp's obvious and exceptional football intelligence, and the fact that Liverpool fans are the most knowledgeable in the entire world. Leno is a reasonable back-option, but the problem Liverpool may face now is that their finances are up with the best in the world but their status has yet to catch up.

Klopp ready to sign Draxler

Another target for Klopp this summer is Julian Draxler. The 24-year-old German international is a fan favourite at Paris Saint-Germain, but has found first-team action hard to come by since the arrival of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe last year. Liverpool have the money to prise him from the club and he would add depth to their forward line.
Paper Round's view: PSG will need to raise funds if they decide to keep both Mbappe and Neymar, because it is hard to see how else they will be able to comply with UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations. That, in turn, might give Liverpool something of a bargain, as there are rarely motivated sellers of players of the quality of Draxler.
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