Paul Pogba’s agent blasts Manchester United, vows not to bring player to Old Trafford for now

Mino Raiola has criticized Manchester United for “ruining” Paul Pogba, “I wouldn’t bring anyone there now.”

The transfer window has yet to reopen for the winter, yet Raiola has already been busy, negotiating Ibrahimovic’s return to Milan from LA Galaxy.

“Zlatan is back to have fun and entertain the world,” he told La Repubblica.

“I couldn’t allow his last stage to be in Los Angeles. These six months will be like the last tour of Queen, a long tribute: it had to be done at San Siro.

“Who convinced who? We argued over every transfer. If I was ignorant, I would think it was always me who decided his teams.

“Instead at 52, I understand that he decides and then he makes me feel as if I made the decision.”

The Italian slammed United for their handling of Pogba, in stark contrast to another interview he gave Sky Sports UK, report Football Italia.

“I wouldn’t bring anyone there now. They’d also ruin Maradona, Pele and Maldini. Paul needs a team and club like the Juventus team he played in.”

REVEALED: Why Frank Lampard is desperate to sign Lyon striker Moussa Dembele

Fresh reason has emerged as to why Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is determined to sign Lyon striker Moussa Dembele.

Lampard is searching for competition for 22-year-old Tammy Abraham with attackers Giroud and Michy Batshuayi likely to leave in the winter window.

Dembele is one of the forward options Chelsea are considering trying to sign in January. The London club’s manager
has been tracking the 23-year-old for some time.

According to Sky Sports, Lampard sees similarities between Dembele and former Chelsea forward Didier Drogba.

Drogba, a prolific finisher and notoriously strong striker, was signed in 2004 for £24million from Marseille and went on to score 164 times in his nine years at Stamford Bridge.

Dembele has scored 25 goals since moving to Ligue 1 from Celtic for £20m 18 months ago.

Photo Credit: SkySports

Chelsea suffer huge setback over January move for prime target

Roy Hodgson has told Chelsea to forget any thoughts of trying to sign Wilfried Zaha in January.

The Blues have been long-term admirers of the Crystal Palace star and were freed to make a bid during the transfer window after having their ban lifted by Fifa.

But Palace boss Hodgson maintains his star player is going nowhere – and no-one at Selhurst Park thinks any different, report The Sun.

Hodgson said: “Basically, I don’t need assurances, we aren’t trying to sell Wilfried Zaha.

“We want to keep Wilfried Zaha. What assurances can people give? I know no-one [at the club] is anxious to sell Wilfried Zaha.”

Chelsea, Arsenal set to lock horns over impressive Brazilian

Chelsea and Arsenal are set for a transfer battle for 22-year-old Athletico Paranaense midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.

The Brazilian is attracting attention from both clubs according to the Daily Mail after an impressive display this season.

He has been an option for Chelsea for a while, since before their transfer ban.

Guimaraes has been capped for the U-23 squad and Benfica as well as Atletico Madrid are keen on him.

The Sun report that he has provided two goals and one assist this season so far, in 25 appearances.

Despite a busy upcoming transfer window for both of them, they will both be after the Rio-born star.

Arsenal for one, could be losing Granit Xhaka who looks set to be joining Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin.

Jorginho reveals why Chelsea find it easier to win away from Stamford Bridge

Blues star Jorginho has revealed the reason Chelsea find it easier to win in their away matches.

According to the midfielder, Chelsea fight harder on the road, as illustrated by their victories at Tottenham and Arsenal , which has kept up their push for a top-four place.

The Italy midfielder insists the squad must now show the same spirit at the Bridge to qualify for the Champions League, report the Mirror.

He said: “It’s easier away. For mentality, it’s easy because you know you have to fight. Sometimes you go on the pitch, when you play at home, a bit soft and that I think we have to change.

“It’s quite hard to win away, especially when it’s a derby and the feeling is crazy. But now we need to change our minds and win at home as well because we are losing too many points.

“Maybe it’s because you have more space, they are not just defending and they try to play.

“Sometimes we play teams that don’t want to play, just defend and make counterattacks and it’s harder to find space. We need to work hard to break that.

“You should push and break the lines, run more behind the lines. Sometimes we don’t do that, we want to play ball into feet and maybe we could change that. And again I say mentality.”

Jorginho was inspirational in Chelsea’s fightback at the Emirates as the players held their own dressing-room inquest at half-time when they were losing.

Photo Credit: premierleague.com

Juventus beat Manchester United, Inter Milan to red-hot Serie A ace

If reports coming from Italy are anything to go by, then Manchester United have lost yet another prime target to another European giants Juventus.

The Turin club have reportedly acquired the services of Dejan Kulusevski having paid Atalanta €40-50m, but he’d remain on loan at Parma until June.

On Sunday, one of the most-touted Red Devils’ target Erling Haaland signed for Borussia Dortmund, raising concerns about the ability of the Premier League club to attract top players.

Kulusevski has been a sensation this season in Serie A, contributing four goals and seven assists in 17 Serie A appearances for Parma.

Still only 19, the Sweden international has attracted interest from the likes of Arsenal, Napoli, Chelsea, Liverpool, as well as Manchester United.

Inter Milan had also been touted to be the hot favourites to capture his signature, but on Monday evening Sky Sport Italia and La Gazzetta dello Sport both report a sudden surge to the lead from Juventus.

It’s suggested Kulusevski has agreed basic personal terms, while the clubs are also close to working out a deal.

According to Football Italia, the deal would be worth €30m plus up to €10m in various add-ons and bonuses, although La Gazzetta point towards €35m fixed fee plus €15m extras.

There would be a contract to June 2024 worth €2-3m per season.

He’d also be allowed to remain on loan at Parma for the rest of the season, but Sky Sport Italia expert Gianluca Di Marzio claims that could change if Juve send the Ducali a replacement in the form of Marko Pjaca.

Photo Credit: sempreinter.com

Manchester United winning race for Tottenham contract rebel ahead of Real Madrid, Juventus?

Manchester United believe they can sign Tottenham star Christian Eriksen in summer, according to the Telegraph.

The Dane is out of contract at the North London club in the summer of 2020 and is free to talk to other clubs from January.

Football Espana claim that Madrid were interested in the player in 2018 but the valuation of €150m meant their interest was discontinued, but this summer Eriksen was said to be priced below €70m due to his contractual situation.

Cadena Cope have previously stated that Eriksen is an option for Los Blancos but his transfer would be with a view to the 2020/21 campaign, and he will only be signed in January should a player leave the club.

A report in Diario AS in June claimed that there was a ‘verbal agreement’ between the former Ajax playmaker and Madrid, but no move ever materialised.

Indeed, a report in Diario AS last week said United had lodged a €23.5m (£20m) offer for the Denmark international in January, although the player is still keeping his options open with Madrid and Juventus also in the hunt.

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REVEALED: Why Tammy Abraham’s contract talks at Chelsea stalls

There are reports that Tammy Abraham is refusing to sign a new contract with Chelsea because he wants to be paid the same amount as Callum Hudson-Odoi.

The Blues winger has the potential to earn £180,000 a week and, according to Goal, Abraham feels he should be on at least the same amount.

Hudson-Odoi’s salary is heavily incentivised, however, which means he has to hit a series of targets in order to earn that amount.

Sportsmail reveal that Abraham has two-and-a-half-years left on his contract which is a weaker negotiating position than Hudson-Odoi’s representatives had when he put pen to paper in September.

The 19-year-old had less than a year on his previous deal with clubs abroad willing to sign him for free in January.

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Chelsea loanee set to terminate deal, eyes Aston Villa January move

Aston Villa are reportedly interested in taking Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater on loan in the January transfer window amid reports that Burnley are set to terminate the former England international’s loan deal.

According to SkySports, Villa boss Dean Smith sees Drinkwater as a good option to cover for John McGinn, whose fractured ankle is set to keep him out for three months.

Drinkwater is currently on loan at Burnley, but it’s unlikely that Sean Dyche will look to extend the deal, even though he has the option to do so once the window opens on January 1.

Villa assistant manager John Terry still has a close friendship with Chelsea manager Frank Lampard, so his influence could be key in helping a deal over the line.

Drinkwater has had a difficult two-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge and struggled to make an impact at Burnley, playing less than an hour in the Premier League since joining in the summer.

REVEALED: Why Manchester United withdrew from Erling Braut Haaland race, but agent denies United’s claim

Reports in England claim Manchester United pulled out of the race to sign Erling Braut Haaland because of concerns over the way the deal was structured.

Haaland, who has joined Borussia Dortmund from RB Leipzig, was a target for United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The 19-year-old has been in prolific form for Red Bull Salzburg this season, scoring 28 goals in 22 games including eight in the Champions League.

But there are claims United withdrew from the race to sign the 19-year-old striker amid concerns how much money for the deal was going to Haaland‘a agent, Mino Raiola, and the player’s father, report the Mirror.

Meanwhile, the youngster’s agent Raiola has hit back and dismissed United’s claims, before insisting the striker simply made the decision for the better of his career.

“I do not know if Manchester United are briefing this but if they are then they are covering their own loss and that I find strange and disappointing,” he told the Telegraph.

“There was no fall-out between me and Ed Woodward. It was just a normal negotiation and the player has chosen a different path. If they want to blame someone then, fine, blame me but the player is happy. He has made his choice and we went through a normal process.”

Raiola went on to suggest Haaland personally held talks with United before deciding his future lay elsewhere.

“The club that he had the most direct contact with him was Manchester United. Clearly he felt that at this moment it was not the right step in his career.

“He chose Borussia Dortmund ahead of them and other clubs. When you are 19 then maybe you prefer not to go to the Premier League.”

Raiola also insisted the move to Dortmund was not about the money, insisting it is perfect for the player at this stage of his career.

Photo Credit: Twitter @borussia-dortmund.com