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United confirm Pogba exit with Frenchman available on free transfer

An official statement read: “The club can announce that Paul Pogba will leave Manchester United at the end of June, upon the expiry of his contract.

“Everyone at the club would like to congratulate Paul on his successful career and thank him for his contributions to Manchester United. 

“We wish him all the best for the next steps on a remarkable journey.”

French international Pogba, who came through the youth ranks at Old Trafford, re-joined the Red Devils in 2016 from Juventus for a then-record fee of £89.3million.

His second stint has been one of frustration however as the club struggled to compete with the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool.

Pogba did help United to Europa League glory under Jose Mourinho in the 2016-17 season and a run to the final in 2020-21, where they lost to Villarreal 11-10 on penalties.

But his trademark virtuoso performances have been few and far between in recent times and he was booed by some of his own supporters in this season’s closing fixtures.

He has been restricted to just 27 appearances this term in all competitions and with talks over an extension reaching an impasse months ago, his departure has long felt inevitable.

Where the 29-year-old will head next remains uncertain, though former club Juve are known to be keen on a reunion.

The World Cup winner is also likely to attract attention from elsewhere but his excessive wage demands may price many interested parties out of the race.

Pogba’s future may become clearer upon the release of his upcoming Amazon Prime documentary, titled The Pogmentary.

Set to premiere on July 17, a trailer teased on Pogba’s social media seems to suggest his contract situation features prominently.

Pogba made 226 appearances during his second spell at Old Trafford, scoring 39 goals and setting up a further 51.

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MAN UNITED ENTER TALKS WITH AJAX FOR JURRIEN TIMBER

Manchester United have started talks with Ajax over the summer transfer of defender Jurrien Timber, The Guardian reports.

The Red Devils are eyeing a new central defender this summer. It appears Timber is the prime target, having played the last two years at Ajax under manager Erik ten Hag.

In recent weeks, the Netherlands international has been frequently linked, and The Guardian report that United have now made contact with Ajax for the 20-year-old.

Ten Hag was key to Timber breaking through the Ajax youth setup in 2020, and he is a ‘firm admirer’ of him. Ajax currently value their graduate at around £43 million.

United conceded a staggering 57 goals in their Premier League campaign last term. The arrival of Raphael Varane last summer did not necessarily improve their defensive showing.

The Frenchman joined from Real Madrid with huge expectations, but struggled to adapt to the style of play. He was also hampered by multiple injuries that saw him in-and-out of the line-up.

Varane is still best central defender in the squad based on achievements and experience, and any new signing could potentially take the place of Harry Maguire or Victor Lindelof in the XI.

Timber has shown plenty of promise during the last two years at Ajax. He has been good with his defensive duties, and averaged over two tackles per game in all competitions last season.

The youngster has also been terrific with the ball at his feet. He completed 92 per cent of his passes. Among United centre-backs, Varane fared best with a 88 per cent success rate last season.

Timber should be a quality long-term signing for United, but the hierarchy will definitely want to lower the final transfer fee, having signed Donny van de Beek for around £35m in 2020.

Meanwhile, Varane should be fancied to come good next term as he will be involved for United from pre-season which was not the case last year when he started training in mid-August.

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ASTON VILLA AGREE DEAL TO SIGN SEVILLA DEFENDER DIEGO CARLOS

Aston Villa have reached an agreement to sign defender Diego Carlos from Sevilla.

The 29-year-old Brazilian centre-back is now set to travel to England for a medical and iron out personal terms on a reported £26million transfer.

Carlos, who played 136 matches for Sevilla, helping them win the 2019-20 Europa League, had been in talks with Newcastle during the January window, but a deal could not be reached.

“Aston Villa can confirm the club has reached an agreement with Sevilla FC for the transfer of Diego Carlos for an undisclosed fee,” a Villa statement read.

“The player will travel to England in the next few hours to complete a medical and finalise personal terms.”

Carlos joined Sevilla in the summer of 2019 from French club Nantes and was part of the Brazil squad which won gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

“Sevilla FC would like to thank the player for his work during all these years in Seville and wishes him the best of luck in his new journey,” a statement from the LaLiga club read.

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LEEDS NEAR COMPLETION OF BRENDEN AARONSON TRANSFER FROM RED BULL SALZBURG

WOLFSBURG, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 02: (BILD OUT) Brenden Aaronson of RB Salzburg controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League group G match between VfL Wolfsburg and RB Salzburg at Volkswagen Arena on November 2, 2021 in Wolfsburg, Germany. (Photo by Mario Hommes/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Brenden Aaronson has agreed a five-year deal with Leeds, the Premier League club has announced.

The 21-year-old United States international, who worked under Leeds head coach Jesse Marsch during his time in charge at the Austrian club, will formally complete his move to Elland Road for an undisclosed fee on July 1st.

A Leeds statement said: “Leeds United are delighted to announce an agreement with Red Bull Salzburg for the transfer of Brenden Aaronson, which will be completed on July 1st, 2022.

“The 21-year-old will join for an undisclosed fee on a five-year-contract, running until the summer of 2027.

“The transfer is subject to the necessary international clearance and a work permit.”

Aaronson made 41 appearances in all competitions for Salzburg last season as they won the Austrian Bundesliga and Austrian Cup for the second season in succession.

He has 18 senior international caps and scored five goals as the US qualified for this year’s World Cup finals in Qatar.

Aaronson began his career with MLS side Philadelphia Union and scored on his debut in a 1-1 draw with Atlanta United in March 2019.

Capped by his country for the first time the following February, he was named in the MLS Best XI for the 2020 season, during which he played his part as Philadelphia won the Supporters’ Shield for the first time, and earned his move to Salzburg in January 2021.

The midfielder made 24 appearances as the club clinched a league and cup double in his first season in Europe, and his tally for the campaign which has just ended included 10 Champions League games in a run to the last 16.

Aaronson will be on international duty next month for fixtures against Morocco, Uruguay, Grenada and El Salvador before meeting up with his new club-mates in pre-season.

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VINCENT KOMPANY LEAVES ANDERLECHT AMID LINKS TO VACANT BURNLEY JOB

Former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has left his role as Anderlecht head coach amid suggestions he is the front runner to take over at relegated Burnley.

The 36-year-old has been strongly linked with the Clarets for a number of weeks, with the interest apparently not dimming despite Burnley suffering relegation from the Premier League after their 2-1 defeat to Newcastle on Sunday.

Kompany returned to his boyhood club Anderlecht in the summer of 2019, initially joining as player-manager before hanging up his boots in August 2020 to focus on his coaching career. He guided the club to third in the Belgian league this season.

But on Wednesday Anderlecht confirmed his departure after three years.

In a statement on the club website, Kompany said: “Today only one feeling prevails: I am proud that I was able to start this new chapter at the club of my heart. I have now been a player and a coach of RSC Anderlecht, but above all I remain a loyal fan.”

A move to Burnley would allow Kompany to return to a region where he spent 11 years after signing for City in 2008. His wife Carla is from Manchester and their three children were all born in the city.

However, he would be taking on a sizeable task at Turf Moor.

Following their relegation, Burnley have nine first-team players out of contract this summer and suitors are expected to line up for a number of other regulars, not least England goalkeeper Nick Pope, Dwight McNeil, Maxwel Cornet and Wout Weghorst.

The required rebuilding project would also be hampered as the club is now required to repay a “significant proportion” of a £65million loan taken out during ALK Capital’s leveraged takeover in December 2020.

Wayne Rooney and Chris Wilder have also been linked with the post at Turf Moor, which has been vacant since Sean Dyche was sacked by the club in April. Caretaker boss Mike Jackson, the under-23s manager, took 11 points from eight games but fell short of achieving safety on the final day of the season.

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PHILIPPE COUTINHO COMPLETES £17 MILLION MOVE TO ASTON VILLA

Philippe Coutinho has completed a permanent switch to Aston Villa from Barcelona in a deal the LaLiga giants announced was worth 20million euros (£17m).

Coutinho arrived at Villa Park in January for a loan stint after being deemed surplus to requirements at Barcelona, who confirmed the ex-Liverpool playmaker’s move includes a 50 per cent sell-on clause.

The Brazilian scored four times and contributed three assists in his first six matches at Villa and, although none of those have been in his last eight games, the club were determined to keep hold of him.

Villa head coach Steven Gerrard revealed last weekend that he was eager to sign a player he captained at Liverpool permanently and the 29-year-old has put pen to paper on a deal that runs until 2026.

“This is a brilliant signing for Aston Villa,” Gerrard said on the club’s website. “Phil is a model professional and his impact on the group has been very clear since he joined in January.

“With the way he conducts himself on and off the pitch, he’s also a valuable role model for our younger players who can only benefit from his experience.

“As we look to build towards next season, it is incredible to work at a club that executes its business so decisively and smoothly.”

Coutinho joined Barcelona from Liverpool in 2018 in a deal worth £146million but, despite helping the Spanish club to two league titles, he spent the 2019-20 season on loan at Bayern Munich.

Only in flashes did he show the form that made him such a hot property on Merseyside, scoring 26 goals in 106 appearances for the Catalan club.

Coutinho, who has been capped 67 times by Brazil and was part of the side that won the 2019 Copa America, has made 16 appearances in the second half of this season for Villa.

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WAYNE ROONEY BACKS MAURICIO POCHETTINO TO TAKE OVER AT MANCHESTER UNITED

Wayne Rooney would choose Mauricio Pochettino over Erik ten Hag to become manager at his former club Manchester United.

United are already on their second manager of the season after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lost his job in November, with Ralf Rangnick placed in temporary charge until the end of the campaign.

PSG boss Pochettino and Ajax manager Ten Hag are the favourites to take the helm at Old Trafford in the summer, and ex-England striker Rooney made his preference clear.

“I think Pochettino has done it in the Premier League, he knows the Premier League,” said Rooney, who won five Premier League titles as a player at United.

“At Tottenham he brought in a lot of young players, and at Southampton as well he brought a lot of young players through, so if I’m choosing between one of them two, that’s who I’d choose.

“I’d go with Pochettino and I’d give him time I think. For managers now they need time to come in and actually make their print on the club and on the team and if they give him time I think he’ll do well.”

Paul Pogba, who is out of contract in the summer, has come under scrutiny for his recent performances at United and Derby boss Rooney believes the midfielder’s stint at the club is nearing an end.

“I think it’s probably got to a point now where it probably is better for him to move on and I think Paul is honest with himself,” Rooney told Sky Sports.

“He probably hasn’t had the impact he would have liked since he returned to Manchester United.

“I watch him play for France and he’s completely different player, the ability, his vision, control of the game, everything is there every game for France and it just hasn’t quite worked at Manchester United for him and I think he’s really one of the few players who needs to move on.”

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Lewandowski wants Barca move with Dest a potential makeweight

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has reportedly expressed his desire to join the Xavi revolution at Barcelona — and the Catalan club will offer Sergino Dest in return.

The Polish striker’s future at Bayern Munich is in the spotlight as he approaches the final year of his contract.

Now 33, Lewandowski has hit a stunning 45 goals in 38 games in all competitions this season but rumours continue to circulate that he is seeking a new challenge after eight years with the Bavarians.

Barca are known to be in the market for a high-profile striker this summer as they look to build on their remarkable resurgence under Xavi.

Ballon d’Or runner-up Lewandowski certainly fits that mould and Sport say the player is equally keen on the move.

But the striker is likely to command a fee upwards of £50million — a figure which could prove difficult as the Blaugrana continue to grapple with financial issues.

That is where Dest comes in however, with the report claiming the United States right-back will be offered in return to help get a deal done.

The 21-year-old has been a regular starter when fit this term but could be sacrificed to help LaLiga giants Barcelona land their prime target.

Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah are two of Barca’s other potential options in attack, though both deals look increasingly unlikely to happen.

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LIVERPOOL SIGN COLOMBIA FORWARD LUIS DIAZ ON LONG-TERM DEAL FROM PORTO

Liverpool have completed the signing of Colombia forward Luis Diaz from Porto, the Premier League club have announced.

The 25-year-old has signed a long-term contract with the Anfield club, understood to run until 2027, after the Reds agreed an initial fee of £37.5 million (€45 million) with the Portuguese outfit.

The deal, which could also see Liverpool pay an additional £12.5 million (€15 million) in potential add-ons, is subject to the acquisition of a work permit.

A tweet from the club read: “The moment you’ve been waiting for… Luis Diaz is a RED.”

Liverpool representatives travelled to South America, where Diaz is currently on international duty, to complete the deal ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline.

Diaz, who is due to play for Colombia in a World Cup qualifier in Argentina on Tuesday, is not expected to arrive in Merseyside until later in the week at the earliest.

Liverpool have beaten off competition from other clubs, notably Tottenham, to secure the services of the player.

Diaz was understood to have been Klopp’s first target for next summer but the club decided to move earlier than planned due to the interest of others.

In a brief video clip released by Liverpool, Diaz said: “I’m really happy to sign for Liverpool.”

Diaz scored 41 goals in 125 games for Porto after moving to Europe from Colombia’s Junior FC in the summer of 2019.

He played against Liverpool twice earlier this season as Porto faced Jurgen Klopp’s side in the Champions League group stage.

He has also scored seven times in 31 appearances for his country.

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ARSENAL’S PABLO MARI JOINS UDINESE ON LOAN

Arsenal defender Pablo Mari has joined Udinese on loan for the rest of the season.

Spanish centre-half Mari, 28, has made just three appearances in all competitions for the Gunners this season and 22 in total.

Udinese said on their official website: “The Spanish defender arrives on loan from Arsenal until the end of the sporting season.

“A player who combines physical strength with technical qualities and great skill in aerial play, all precious characteristics that have brought him to the top European stages.”

Mari, who started out at Mallorca, was signed by Manchester City in 2016 and loaned out immediately to Girona. He has also had loan spells at NEC Breda and Deportivo La Coruna.

He joined Brazilian side Flamengo in a permanent deal in July 2019 before arriving at Arsenal, initially on loan, the following January and the Gunners paid a reported £7million to make the move permanent in July 2020.