The summer transfer window is closed in England, but it remains open in most of Europe, and today brings a couple of United related transfer narratives to report and dissect.
Borussia Dortmund have given a big raise to long term United target Jadon Sancho, there is still a question mark hanging over the future of Paul Pogba, and what about Alexis Sanchez leaving for Inter Milan this transfer window? Who (if they’re available on a free) will replace him if he does?
So we have four players to cover on this Wednesday, starting first with the young Englishman.
Bild reports that he has agreed to a deal that will see his weekly wages double from £40,000 to £80,000. This move is intended to keep the former Manchester City man as long as they can, and this will certainly thwart United’s plans a bit. It’s doubtful they’ll make a very strong push in January as this development is obviously a blow to Old Trafford.
However, they will likely be back for him in the summer, and as we learned with Harry Maguire, when they want somebody, price is no object.
Elsewhere, are you sick of the tedious Paul Pogba “will he or won’t he?” transfer narrative? Well, of course you are. Any sane person who closely follows the sport would be long tired of this saga by now. It seems like he’s going to stay put, and that’s definitely a U-turn from how he was talking at the beginning of the summer.
The passing of the transfer window deadline in England greatly increased the likelihood that he’ll stay, because if left United in a situation that they wouldn’t be able to buy anyone new with all the money they would make off the Frenchman’s sale.
That said, the Express claims that Real Madrid are not letting up, preparing to make a bid this week.
Elsewhere, Alexis Sanchez is reportedly finalizing his loan move to Inter, with a medical possibly taking place at some point this week. There are widespread reports indicating that United have agreed to pay part of Sanchez’s massive salary.
The Serie A side will acquire the forward on a season-long loan, with an option to buy, for the cut rate of just €15 million. While this transaction is just mostly a getting rid of your deadwood kind of deal, United could find a replacement in the free agent market.
Who could that be? In the words of Abba, “There was something in the air that night. The stars were bright, Fernando. They were shining there for you and me. For liberty, Fernando.”
Yes, former Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City man Fernando Llorente could be an option, according to ESPN FC.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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