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Manchester United star Paul Pogba wants to stay at Old Trafford amid interest from Real Madrid and Juventus, reports say. 

According to Sky Sports, as per @utdreport, Pogba is happy at the Theatre of Dreams and is waiting for the club to open discussions with Mino Raiola when the Europa League campaign is concluded.

Man United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is confident the club can convince the 69-cap France international to sign a new deal. His contract is set to run out in 2021, although the Red Devils retain the option to extend the deal by another year.

While Juve, his former club, and Zinedine Zidane’s side have both been keeping tabs on the French midfielder, it looks like they will have to look elsewhere instead.

It is understood that all parties want to sort out a deal, while Ed Woodward will hold talks with Raiola to reach an agreement. He was widely expected to leave this summer after his controversial agent fuelled the fire in February, but relations between Raiola and the board are believed to have thawed dramatically.

Pogba has formed a promising partnership with Bruno Fernandes in the midfield, which has reportedly played a part in changing his mind.

Unsurprisingly, many United fans are delighted by the “fantastic” transfer update on the “maestro”, with one supporter having “tears in my eyes.” Indeed he is a vital player for the club, who has netted 32 goals and provided 33 assists in 163 appearances to date.

Scroll through some of the glowing reactions so far…

United fans, are you confident that Paul Pogba will sign a new contract? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Rangers are eyeing up an audacious move for a Premier League regular, but if they want to secure him for free, they’ll have to wait another year…

What’s the word?

According to The Sun’s Alan Nixon, the Scottish giants have an interest in Sheffield United midfielder John Lundstram, who appears to be set to stay at Bramall Lane despite entering the final year of his contract.

It means the Gers could swoop in January to tie him up on a pre-contract but they’d undoubtedly face stiff competition given he’s been competing in the top-flight successfully for the past season.

Premier League rivals Brighton and West Ham have also been credited with an interest in recent months.

Gers’ own Gerrard

The 26-year-old came through the system at Everton, but he grew up as a Liverpool supporter, so a chance to work with the legendary Steven Gerrard may be a deal-clincher.

Lundstram featured 36 times for the Blades last season, scoring five goals from midfield whilst averaging 1.4 tackles, 1.3 shots, 0.6 key passes and 2.5 long balls per game, via WhoScored.

Such performances throughout the campaign have led to high praise indeed – teammate Billy Sharp believes the Englishman is “a real menace to other teams” with current boss Chris Wilder lauding him as a “fantastic example of a professional footballer” despite the ongoing contractual situation.

The Blades midfielder has even been likened to Frank Lampard in the past, one of the greatest box-to-box midfielders the Premier League has ever seen and a talisman in a way.

But so was the Rs boss himself, so perhaps Lundstram could embody what Gerrard was up at Ibrox next season. He provides the perfect balance at either end of the pitch, which makes a move for him make the world of sense.

The £7.2m-rated beast is yet to sign a contract extension and could be available for free in January – if the Gers are prepared to wait – either way, he’d be a major coup whether that’s now or in a years’ time.

AND in other news, Rangers still interested in £40k-per-week FLOP this summer…

West Ham United are eyeing up an upgrade to their left-back position if emerging reports are to be believed this week…

What’s the word?

According to the ever-reliable ExWHUemployee, the Irons are keen on signing impressive Atalanta defender Robin Gosens before the end of the transfer window next month.

Speaking on ‘The West Ham Way Podcast,’ he revealed that the 26-year-old is a key target for David Moyes but none of his full-back choices are close to joining the club.

The likes of Leicester City, Juventus, Inter Milan and even Chelsea have been linked with moves for the German left-back in recent months. However, he could cost around €30m (£27m).

No more Cresswell?

The Hammers flirted with the prospects of relegation last term before Moyes came in and somewhat steered the ship but having failed to sign a single player yet this summer, they could sink towards a similar fate once more.

Two of their biggest problems were in leaking goals and creating chances. Only the bottom four teams let in more than West Ham’s 62 goals last season whilst full-backs Aaron Cresswell, Arthur Masuaku, Ben Johnson and Ryan Fredericks combined for just three goals and four assists, per WhoScored.

That’s where Gosens would make a huge impact having been one of Atalanta’s most influential players. The 26-year-old scored nine goals and provided eight assists from his left-back position and also averaged 1.6 tackles, 1.2 key passes and 1.1 interceptions per game.

He’s even ahead of both Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold for expected goals and assists. That’s rather outstanding.

This is something that former Lazio defender Roberto Cravero has mentioned, claiming Gosens had been “better” than TAA during the 2019/20 campaign, he told DAZN (via ForzaItalianFootball):

“He is proving to be more decisive than Alexander-Arnold. If we are analysing the season of the Atalanta wing-back, he has collected these numbers without taking free-kicks and corners. Then, clearly, the Englishman is better in overall value, but this season Gosens is doing better.”

If the Hammers are serious about bolstering Moyes’ squad, then they should look no further than the versatile German playmaker, even if it’s going to cost them £27m.

AND in other news, Hammers receive boost over TOP defensive target…

According to The Daily Mail, Aston Villa transfer target Josh King is now available for around £10m in this summer transfer window.

What’s the word?

Reports in recent weeks had suggested that the Bournemouth striker, who’s now playing in the Championship after the Cherries’ relegation from the Premier League last season, is on Villa’s radar, and that the Midlands club were even going to table a £16m bid.

Now, The Daily Mail claim that with just days left before the close of the window, Bournemouth have slashed King’s asking price to just £10m, as they battle against the financial struggles facing teams over these past few months.

The report further adds that Italian side Torino could provide Dean Smith’s side with competition for the Norway international’s signature.

Bargain for Johan Lange

Described as the “complete package” by his former boss at Bournemouth, Eddie Howe, King would give Villa a proven option in the Premier League to really compliment Ollie Watkins.

Whilst the new signing from Brentford has enjoyed a fine start to the new campaign with two goals in four games, he has still never experienced top-flight football in England prior to this season

In King, Villa would be getting someone who has played 161 times in the Premier League, scoring 48 goals. And if Smith was watching the Norwegian closely last season, then he would have seen him give Tyrone Mings a run around in their 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth in August 2019.

As well as getting on the score-sheet, the £45k-a-week earning ace looked a major threat all game, firing off two shots and completing two out of his three attempted dribbles.

King also contested a mammoth 21 duels and won eight of them, which were both game-highs. Mings on the other hand struggled to live with the pace and the movement of the striker, conceding possession 16 times and committing two fouls.

If Lange can now get him for £10m, shortly after they had reportedly made a £16m bid, it would be a masterclass.

Unai Emery didn’t make too many great decisions whilst at Arsenal during his tenure as manager otherwise he’d still be in the job but one piece of business has to be lauded from the hilltops.

The sale of Alex Iwobi to Everton in 2019 has proven to be a masterstroke in every possible way.

It would have been a hard conclusion to make given that the Nigerian winger came through the ranks in north London and was once lauded by the legendary Arsene Wenger as “absolutely dangerous” every time he goes forward.

The 24-year-old played 149 times for the Gunners where he delivered 15 goals and 27 assists, per Transfermarkt, before being sold for a whopping £34m last summer.

Where is Iwobi now?

Iwobi is still at the Toffees but this season, he has seen his role diminished thanks to the arrival of James Rodriguez, which has proven to be quite the coup for Carlo Ancelotti.

He is yet to start a match in the Premier League this season, racking up just 88 minutes from substitute appearances and that’s hardly a surprise given his disappointing maiden campaign at Goodison Park.

Signed by Marco Silva, Iwobi scored just once all season, also failing to register a single assist, and averaged only 1.3 dribbles, one key pass and 0.9 shots per game, via WhoScored.

Overall, Iwobi has scored three Everton goals in 2,148 minutes of action. That’s one goal per 716 minutes. Shocking.

It’s a move that Darren Bent savaged in an interview with Football Insider. The former PL talisman ripped into Iwobi for having “no end product” and “no quality.”

There was even talk this summer that the Merseysiders were looking to move him on but only if a suitable bid came in as part of a mass exodus, as per the Mirror but evidently, that didn’t come to fruition.

But it does go to show just how bang on Emery was to let the £50k-per-week flop leave.

Although it’s not a surprise to see that both Emery and Silva are no longer employed by either club, perhaps making this call even more damning.

AND in other news, the Gunners may just have found their next Bukayo Saka…

Having seen rumoured summer transfer target, Facundo Pellistri, join Manchester United, Newcastle may get a first-hand look at the winger in the Premier League on Saturday night.

What was the story?

The Daily Mail claimed back in May that both Manchester City and Newcastle were hot on the trail of the 18-year-old, with his break-out performances for Uruguay side Penarol seeing him emerge on the radar of some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Think you’re a big Magpies fan? Can you name these former players by looking at their careers? Go on, give it a go…

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The report added that Steve Bruce’s side had received glowing reports about the wide-man, and that whilst they were keen on bringing him to the Premier League straight away, the delay over the takeover – which of course didn’t happen ultimately – meant that their pitch to Pellistri’s family and representatives were put on hold.

In the end, it was City’s local rivals United who swooped in at the last moment, sealing a £10m deal on deadline day.

Could come back to haunt Steve Bruce

As is now the case, no young talent in football ever really escapes the spotlight, with scouts from the top clubs stationed everywhere. The fact that Pellistri was on the Magpies’ radar, and that they seemed to have a pitch ready for his representatives too, makes it even more galling that they eventually missed out on his signature.

Former United striker Diego Forlan, who was the youngster’s former manager at Penarol, said: “Pellistri has huge potential. There is still a lot to work on. He is growing and he makes a difference. We know it will be difficult to keep him for a long time. He has great pace and that is hard to handle.”

And speaking ahead of the clash against Newcastle, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted that Pellistri has already impressed him. He said: “Facundo he’s been in training with us for two days. Very exciting, young, enthusiastic player with some attributes that we don’t have.”

If Solskjaer decides to unleash him at St James’ Park on Saturday night, then Bruce may well be watching through gritted teeth.

And in other news, this Newcastle star has won major trophies since leaving St James’ Park in 2016.

West Brom are still waiting for their first win of the 2020/21 season but Slaven Bilic can take plenty of positives following their 0-0 draw with Burnley on Monday night.

There was an elusive clean sheet at long last, there was also a debut for latest arrival Karlan Grant and there were encouraging signs of things to come.

None more so than loan starlet Conor Gallagher, who looked a breath of fresh air in the Baggies’ engine room as he was a surprise starter over Bilic favourite Romaine Sawyers.

It was his first-ever appearance in the Premier League after an impressive maiden campaign in the Championship last term, where he delivered six goals and eight assists for both Charlton Athletic and Swansea City.

At the Hawthorns this week, the 20-year-old pulled the strings alongside fellow summer signing Filip Krovinovic – per SofaScore, Gallagher recorded four tackles, two key passes and won eight duels. He also made 92% of his 39 passing attempts and managed a 100% accuracy rate from four long balls.

BirminghamLive graded the young maestro with a 7/10 rating and said: “Immediately you can see what Gallagher brings to the table – and if you were an opposing midfielder you’d hate playing against him. The loanee was a nuisance, pestering and harrying yellow shirts on the ball. On the occasions that he was able to look up and pick a pass, he did so in impressive fashion. Real energy and legs right until the very end.”

The Chelsea prospect will surely now become a frequent presence amongst Bilic’s starting XI – at least until he warrants a change.

Albion have enjoyed many a loan sensation over the past few years. It was Grady Diangana and Matheus Pereira last season and luckily for the Midlands outfit, both players turned those temporary switches into permanent deals.

However, that’s not always been the case – remember Harvey Barnes?

The Leicester ace scored nine goals and provided six assists, and also averaged 3.4 shots, 1.7 dribbles and 1.5 key passes per game, via WhoScored, before being recalled early to take a place in the senior set-up.

Blues boss Frank Lampard hasn’t been afraid to trust his academy players with Reece James, Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham all first-team regulars at Stamford Bridge.

If Gallagher continues to impress, a recall to west London can’t be completely ruled out as this is effectively his acid test for the big time.

Dubbed a “jewel” who is “impossible to replace” by Addicks boss Lee Bowyer, the Baggies could find themselves in an all too familiar spot of bother.

Only time will tell.

AND in other news, Invisible West Brom ace who won ONLY 41% duels was ANONYMOUS vs Burnley…

It’s been quite the good week if you’re an Arsenal fan.

First, the Gunners ended their away-day hoodoo at a top-six rival by beating Manchester United 1-0 in the Premier League, before then brushing aside Molde 4-1 in the Europa League after an early scare.

Mikel Arteta’s side have picked up some momentum ahead of Sunday’s clash against Aston Villa, and it will be battle of two teams who are on the opposite spectrum in terms of very recent form.

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The Gunners are beginning to fly, whilst Dean Smith’s men have slipped to back-to-back defeats to the likes of Leeds United and Southampton after starting off the campaign with a bang.

With Arsenal having rested numerous key players for the game on Thursday, Arteta is likely to revert back to full strength at the weekend. And below is a look at how the Gunners might line-up.

After starting in mid-week, Bernd Leno will be one of the few players to retain his place for the game against Villa, but is likely to see a lot of changes to the men in front of him.

Gabriel, Hector Bellerin, Bukayo Saka and Kieran Tierney were among the names to be rested, and will all surely come in after helping to keep a clean sheet in that impressive victory at Old Trafford last weekend.

In front of them, Arteta has a huge call to make about Mohamed Elneny. The Egyptian was phenomenal in the game against United, partnered alongside Thomas Partey.

But the clash against Villa is likely to pose different problems, with the visitors potentially dropping back into a low block and trying to hit Arsenal on the counter-attack.

A bit more creativity and guile may be needed, and it’s why even after his tireless display last time out, Elneny could miss out with Dani Ceballos coming in.

Further forward, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Willian should all start like normal, despite the fact Nicolas Pepe is in-form with his goal and assist against Molde.

Predicted XI: Leno; Bellerin, Holding, Gabriel; Tierney, Saka; Partey, Ceballos; Willian, Lacazette, Aubameyang.

Manchester United will be looking to make amends and take a step closer to Champions League knockout qualification when they welcome Istanbul Basaksehir to Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

Bruno Fernandes scored the only goal of the game as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side secured their first Premier League victory of the season at home by beating a battling West Bromwich Albion on Saturday night.

Having beaten Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig, the Red Devils are top of Group H with six points, although they were humbled by Istanbul after an embarrassing defensive lapse of concentration earlier this month.

Here at Football FanCast, we’ve had a gander at how Solskjaer could set his side up for the Champions League clash, which sees him ring three changes to the team that scraped past West Brom at the weekend.

It’s likely Solskjaer will put his faith in youth over experience, which will see Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic and Victor Lindelof drop to the bench, with Mason Greenwood, Scott McTominay and Axel Tuanzebe replacing them in the starting line-up.

Both McTominay and Fred are poised to resume their partnership alongside each other in midfield, with the young Scotsman having started five of the nine games in the Premier League so far this season.

This means that there is no room for Paul Pogba, who is working his way back from an injury he sustained whilst away on international duty with France.

Tuanzebe should be handed a starting berth after Lindelof played through the pain during the game against the Baggies. The Sweden international suffered a back injury during the international break, so could be rested for the rematch with Istanbul.

Elsewhere, Dean Henderson may push for a recall, but we’re backing David de Gea to keep his place in goal at Old Trafford on Tuesday evening, having been trusted for most of the Champions League fixtures so far and making one particularly excellent save against West Brom.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Carlton Palmer makes stunning prediction about Paul Pogba’s future at Manchester United…

Gary Mabbutt has exclusively revealed to Football FanCast that Jose Mourinho has done “a lot of work” behind the scenes to improve Tottenham Hotspur’s defence after their late collapse at home to West Ham United.

Spurs stormed out to an early three-goal lead in the London derby last month, with Heung-Min Son and Harry Kane each lashing the back of the net inside the opening eight minutes.

Kane bagged his brace shortly after as Tottenham dominated the early proceedings but would fail to turn their control into all three points, as Fabian Balbuena, an own goal from Davinson Sanchez and a wonder strike from Manuel Lanzini shocked Mourinho’s men.

West Ham had only enjoyed two shots on target before Balbuena’s 82nd-minute strike found a way past Hugo Lloris, with Spurs resilient with their backs to goal to block four of the visitor’s 10 efforts, per WhoScored.

The Paraguayan’s rare strike, having only scored two goals for the Hammers before, offered David Moyes’ side all the confidence they needed, with the Irons going on to control more of the ball and unleash three times as many shots as Tottenham – who failed to register another effort on target before the full-time whistle.

Mabbutt believes the late collapse forced Mourinho to work tirelessly on the training ground to improve Spurs’ defensive abilities, but continues to have work to do with the north London side still prone to conceding goals they ought to prevent.

“For me, looking at the way we’re playing, I believe defensively, we’ve conceded some soft goals, against West Ham United especially. But a lot of work has been done in those areas,” Mabbutt told Football FanCast.

There is no doubt Tottenham have improved defensively since allowing a three-goal lead to result in just a point at home to West Ham last month, as Spurs responded to the draw with clean sheets at Burnley and West Brom, restricted Brighton to just two shots on target and shut out Manchester City last time out in the league.

Pep Guardiola’s Citizens were even only able to direct five of their mammoth 22 efforts on Lloris’ net, saw 11 blocked and attempted seven of their total shots from outside of the box.

The win saw Tottenham move back atop the Premier League standings on goal difference to title-holders Liverpool, with Mourinho’s men boasting the outright best defensive record having allowed just nine goals in nine games.

Mourinho will need to see a similarly strong defensive showing when Spurs visit his former employers Chelsea on Sunday, as Frank Lampard’s Stamford Bridge natives rank sixth in the division for shots per game (13.2) and third for shots on target (5.7) heading into this weekend’s round of fixtures.

AND in other news, Spurs are in the hunt for a gem who “can do everything” and might not cost Daniel Levy a penny.