Real Madrid's ‘Operation Pogba’ and fresh Hazard move

Real Madrid have stepped up their bid to sign Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, Marca reports (via the Daily Mail). Real have launched ‘Operation Pogba’, and will look to apply pressure on the Frenchman’s agent, Mino Raiola, in their attempts to bring the World Cup winner to the Bernabeu this summer.

Paper Round’s view: You know it’s serious when it gets a name, but that merely adds gloss to a story which is pure speculation. With two games against Barcelona coming up, Pogba will certainly be in the Spanish spotlight, but it is difficult to see him leaving Old Trafford anytime soon given Jose Mourinho has gone. But should United fail to qualify for the Champions League, then who knows...

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Real Madrid are expected to make a fresh approach for Eden Hazard this week, the Telegraph reports. A move for the Chelsea forward is said to be close, though the final fee is still being disputed. Chelsea want £100m for the Belgian, who has a year left on his current contract, while Real want to pay £85m.

Paper Round’s view: It’s a case of when, not if, it would appear, but discussions over the price could mean this will drag on even longer. The two clubs could come to a compromise, but it would be no surprise to see Real stump up the £100m in the end.

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Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri has confirmed he would like to make Mateo Kovacic’s loan deal permanent this summer, the London Evening Standard reports. The midfielder has featured regularly for the Blues since joining on a season-long loan from Real Madrid, but the move will only go through if FIFA overturn or delay Chelsea’s two-window transfer ban.

Paper Round’s view: It’s a big if, given Chelsea’s prospective ban, but it will all become clearer this Thursday at their hearing. If it’s revoked or delayed, could Kovacic become a makeweight in the Hazard deal? We’ll have to wait and see.

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Kevin De Bruyne has played down suggestions Manchester City could be daunted when heading to Tottenham’s new stadium in the Champions League quarter-final first leg this week, declaring: “It’s just a stadium.”

“I don’t care about the stadium. I care about the team we play. Everybody talks about the stadium like it’s something special. Everybody has a stadium. Everybody has supporters. They will be up for it.”

Paper Round’s view: Well, he’s right, in a way, but while De Bruyne claims the visitors will not be bothered, there is no doubt Spurs’ players will be boosted by the fact they are playing a Champions League quarter-final at their new home. With a key couple of months to come in the Premier League, it will be the perfect reminder for them as to why they must qualify for Europe’s premier competition next season.