Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Paul Pogba and Reece Oxford Rumours
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has said he is “counting” on star midfielder Paul Pogba next season despite strong speculation about a potential move to Manchester United.
Earlier in July, it was reported by Paul Vinnell of Sky Sports that the Red Devils were looking to sign the Frenchman, who left United for Juventus in 2012. However, Allegri has said he sees Pogba as a valuable part of his team for the upcoming campaign.
“The France internationals will return on August 7," Allegri said, per Alex Young of Goal. "Both [Patrice] Evra and Pogba? They are both Juventus players, and I hope they will stay. I am counting on Pogba.”
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As reported by Sky Sports News HQ’s Kaveh Solhekol, Allegri has also stated “I think he wants to win the Champions League with us” when asked about Pogba's future.
Meanwhile, according to L’Equipe (h/t Get French Football News), Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is confident a deal will be done for the player:
The signing of Pogba would be a major statement from United. But from a Juventus perspective, keeping him would be equally significant.
Allegri seems intent on building on some promising recent showings in European football, having made it to the Champions League final in 2015 before narrowly missing out to a brilliant Bayern Munich in the round of 16 of the most recent edition of the competition.
The captures of players such as Dani Alves and Miralem Pjanic point to a football club keen to flex their muscles. Despite the big incoming names, it’s tough to envisage a Juventus side without Pogba going all the way in Europe’s elite competition next term.
As these numbers from WhoScored.com show, for all his aesthetic work in possession, Pogba sets the tone for Juventusoff the ball too:
Money does talk, however, and if United are willing to break the bank for Pogba, Juventus could be pushed into a sale. But with the Bianconeri seemingly set to launch a major push for European glory, perhaps the 23-year-old may stick around a little longer yet.
West Ham in Talks with Reece Oxford
West Ham United are reportedly set to offer youngster Reece Oxford a new contract to stave off interest from Manchester United.
That’s according to Tom Hopkinson of the Sunday Mirror, who stated Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur have also been keeping an eye on the 17-year-old at the recent UEFA European Under-19 Championship.
“[Mourinho] is hugely keen on the youngster and is preparing to step up his bid to take him to Old Trafford,” the report continued. Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe took a look at why the player is reportedly so coveted by the Red Devils:
Oxford impressed plenty of people during his seven Premier League appearances last term. On the opening day of the 2015-16 season, he lined up against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium for his debut, excelling in the centre of midfield as a 16-year-old. Despite his obvious quality in the position, the teenager’s future is said to be at centre-back.
United are renowned for chasing the most talented English players. Even so, the move would put significant pressure on a player who is still young; for the time being, continuing his development with West Ham is surely the most sensible course of action.
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