GOOD MORNING MAN UTD FANS
Barcelona are reportedly lining up a major triple swoop, which includes Manchester United star midfielder Paul Pogba whose contract runs out in June.
Ronald Koeman’s side is also keeping tabs on Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland as well as RB Leipzig ace Dani Olmo next summer.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barca have set their sights on the trio after managing to reduce their wage bill from 100 per cent to 80 per cent of their total income.
The Blaugrana were limited in their transfer activities this summer due to the wage cap set by LaLiga.
But after losing Lionel Messi to Paris Saint-Germain and Antoine Griezmann to Atletico Madrid the Catalan giants are now in a better position financially.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano doubled down on those reports by claiming that Barcelona and Juventus could make a move for Pogba when his contract expires in June.
Romano told The United Stand: “If Pogba decides he is not staying at Manchester United it will be an incredible race.
“With Barcelona it’s about the really strong relationship between Mino Raiola and Joan Laporta. They did many deals together when Laporta was the president years ago and they have a strong relationship right now.
“Raiola would be prepared to do something with Barcelona but in this case we have to see the financial situation of the club – it won’t be easy to go with this kind of salary for Pogba but let’s see how it will be next summer.
“Barcelona, Juventus [too] because Raiola says because of the relationship Pogba has with Juventus – it is a really strong relationship.”
However, Juve sporting director Federico Cherubini suggested the Bianconeri will not try to sign Pogba when his contract runs out as they target “another type of player” like Dortmund star Haaland.
Cherubini said: “On the market we will look for players like Haaland before the final maturity.
“Any investment will go in the direction of a young profile.
“I plan to bet on another type of player.”
Finally, West Ham rate highly sought-after star midfielder Declan Rice at £100million.
Rice has been linked with a move to United ever since this past summer transfer window.
But the Hammers are not willing to bargain over the England international and are demanding a hefty fee.
That means the Red Devils would have to splash the cash once more for the 22-year-old, who has been described as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s priority target.
