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Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba appears to be edging closer towards signing a new contract with the club following months of negotiations.

What’s the story?

The World Cup winner’s current deal expires in the summer of 2022, meaning he would be free to negotiate with foreign clubs as early as January.

French giants Paris Saint-Germain were heavily linked with the 28-year-old in the previous window before their shock move for Lionel Messi meant Pogba’s arrival was no longer a financial possibility.

It’s believed that the Ligue 1 outfit, Juventus and Real Madrid are still interested in the creative talents signature, but according to L’Équipe (as relayed by Get French Football News), he is now set to put pen to paper on fresh terms with United.

The report states that: “L’Équipe report today that France midfielder Paul Pogba is now telling those around him that he sees himself extending his contract with Manchester United.

“His entourage is said to have a clear goal in mind, which is to make the former Juventus man the highest, or at least one of the highest-paid players in Premier League history.”

Fans will be absolutely delighted

News that Pogba reportedly sees his long-term future at Old Trafford will leave United supporters feeling absolutely delighted, given his importance to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s charges.

It’s been a frustrating five years for the France international since he returned to his boyhood club in a then world-record £89m deal back in 2016, with only a League Cup and Europa League to show for his efforts.

However, since last December, Pogba has begun to show the sort of form on a consistent basis that convinced United to spend such a hefty fee on the engine room operator.

Since the beginning of 2020/21, the 6 foot 2 dynamo has bagged six goals and an impressive 18 assists in his 51 appearances for the 20-time English champions, illustrating his truly world-class form of late.

If Pogba does eventually agree to fresh terms at the club, then it will be a huge boost to Solskjaer’s ambitions as he attempts to return United to the Premier League summit, and fans will be hoping he puts pen to paper sooner rather than later.

And, in other news…Man Utd could strike gold by signing £9m-rated beast, Ole would love him 

Tottenham Hotspur are now reportedly fighting a number of clubs in the UEFA Champions League to sign Ryan Gravenberch.

The Lowdown: Emerging talent

Gravenberch is certainly one of the biggest emerging talents in world football at just 19 years of age, having played in ten games in total over all competitions so far this season for Ajax already, scoring one goal and making one assist (Transfermarkt).

Former Spurs star and fellow countryman Rafael van der Vaart has recently been singing the praises of the Netherlands international, claiming that he is ‘big’, ‘strong’ and ‘calm on the ball’ (Ziggo Sport Voetbal).

The Latest: Plenty of interest

As per Fichajes, there is now plenty of interest in Gravenberch from a number of top teams in Europe.

As well as the Lilywhites, UEFA Champions League sides Chelsea, FC Barcelona and Juventus all reportedly have the central midfield player in their sights, while north London rivals Arsenal are also following his situation.

However, Ajax currently value him at a whopping €75m (£64.2m), as his current deal at the Dutch giants does not end until 2024.

The Verdict: Break the bank

It is not often that Daniel Levy decided to break the bank on a signing, but if he gets the green light, he must go out and sign Gravenberch at all costs.

It is scary just how much potential he is at 19, and the number of top European clubs courting him should tell its own story.

Nonetheless, if THFC can raise some money through the sales of a few of their fringe players, then that cash should not be spent anywhere else.

In other news, find out who now wants to leave Tottenham here!

Fabrizio Romano has dropped a gutting transfer update on Aston Villa target Pape Sarr.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks and months had suggested that Dean Smith’s side are interested in signing the 18-year-old this summer, with it then being revealed that his current club seem willing to let him go for the right price.

The Athletic then name-checked Villa as a team that have “looked at” Sarr as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season, but it appears Premier League rivals Spurs have beaten them to the chase.

Writing on Twitter, Romano said: “Medical completed and now paperworks to be signed for Pape Sarr to Tottenham, here we go confirmed. Done deal for €15m guaranteed plus potential “huge” add ons amount in the future. #THFC Sarr will stay on loan at Metz until June 2022, confirmed. #Spurs”

Dean Smith will be gutted

The 18-year-old enjoyed a real breakthrough season with the Ligue 1 side, playing 22 times in the league, and establishing himself as one of the first names on the team sheet for Metz boss Frederic Antonetti.

And, Antonetti has not shied away from lavishing his midfield starlet with praise, saying: “Pape Matar Sarr is elegance in the midfield, it’s talent, it’s making others play.”

He added: “He will be able to go as far as he wants to go. He must work, be as he is there, modest, regular, hardworking. He must continue to love football and he will do like the great players, he will go far. I think he will go very far.”

Dubbed as someone who’s “got everything” to his game, Sarr averaged an impressive two tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game, while also boasting a passing accuracy of 85.3% – the kind of all-action midfielder that would have surely gone down well with Smith.

The £25m-rated machine could have arrived at Villa Park to hold down one of the holding midfield positions. Instead, it looks like he’ll be realising his potential at Spurs instead.

The Villa boss will surely be gutted when Sarr rocks up to Villa Park in a Spurs shirt.

Meanwhile, Gregg Evans has dropped a late night Aston Villa claim…

Everton could replace Rafael Benitez with Kasper Hjulmand, according to Calciomercato. 

The lowdown

The Toffees are in the midst of a wretched run of form under the Spaniard, who replaced Carlo Ancelotti in the summer. They have picked up only one point from their past five matches, which leaves them bottom of the Premier League form table.

Former Leeds United forward Noel Whelan has claimed that Benitez is now under “massive pressure” to “pull something out of the hat” and potentially save his job (via Football Insider).

The latest

The report from Calciomercato stated that Everton are considering whether to sack Benitez, who could pay the price for his team’s woes, with Fichajes hinting that the 61-year-old’s job at Goodison Park may be at risk.

According to the Italian outlet, the Toffees already have an eye on a potential successor in the form of Denmark boss Hjulmand.

The verdict

Hjulmand boasts an impressive CV. Last summer, he led the Danes to the semi-finals of the European Championship, taking England all the way to extra time at Wembley less than a month after he and his team had to endure the extreme difficulty of dealing with Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest.

Denmark’s strong form continued in World Cup qualifying as they finished with 27 points from a possible 30 to breeze into the final in Qatar next year, so it’s no wonder that he featured on Aston Villa’s shortlist after they parted company with Dean Smith earlier this month.

The 49-year-old has been described as a ‘tactical geek’, ‘a football idealist’ and above all, a ‘world-class coach’. He took unfashionable Danish club FC Nordsjaelland into the Champions League in 2012 and has won 17 of his 25 matches in charge of the country’s national team.

If Benitez can’t turn things around at Everton and is given the chop, Hjulmand looks like he’d be a worth a shot.

In other news, this Everton trio struggled against Brentford

Tottenham Hotspur have made a player-plus-cash bid for Aston Villa target Caleb Chukwuemeka, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Villa links

Villa were linked with a move for Chukwuemeka, older brother of Villa midfielder Carney, earlier this month.

The Daily Mail claimed that Villa have had an approach for the forward turned down by Northampton Town.

Chukwuemeka, who Keith Curle said ‘had a little bit of magic’ last season, has made 28 senior appearances for The Cobblers.

It seems as if Villa will now have to battle Spurs for the 19-year-old, though, going off recent reports.

The Latest: Spurs bid

Football Insider, who were informed by a Tottenham source, shared an update on Chukwuemeka on Wednesday.

They suggested that Spurs are offering Northampton £1m plus their own teenage striker Kion Etete in a bid to land Chukwuemeka.

Chukwuemeka has less than 12 months remaining on his Northampton contract, so Spurs’ bid could possibly be enough to land the teenager.

The Verdict: Villa need to act

Chukwuemeka is clearly highly thought of by Villa and Spurs, who have both firmed up their interest with an approach and offer respectively.

Villa may now need to act fast if they want to sign Chukwuemeka. You’d expect younger brother Carney could help seal a possible move, with Villa bolstering their academy ranks by already signing Josh Feeney, Ajani Burchall and Finn Azaz.

The club’s academy appears to be going from strength to strength after winning the FA Youth Cup last season, and adding Chukwuemeka to their ranks could be another solid move.

In other news: ‘My heart dropped’ – Many AVFC fans react as ‘odd’ news is confirmed.

West Ham could make a desperate push for West Brom’s Matheus Pereira, 25, if they lose Jarrod Bowen this summer, claims Express & Star journalist Luke Hatfield.

The Hammers have reportedly already spoken to Pereira’s people about a move and Hatfield expects things to possibly intensify should Bowen indeed leave this transfer window.

Bowen is thought to be on Liverpool’s shortlist, with The Athletic recently claiming that Reds boss Jurgen Klopp rates him very highly.

He scored eight goals and provided five assists in the Premier League for West Ham last season, so David Moyes would surely want a replacement for him if he was to leave. For Hatfield, that replacement could be Pereira.

Speaking to FFC about the two players, the West Brom journalist said:

“There’s reports of Jesse Lingard, who’s not going to go there by the sounds of it, and some reports of an interest in a player like Jarrod Bowen. If he was to leave as well, then you’d think West Ham would be really desperate for a player like Pereira.”

Considering his performances in the previous campaign and the fact that Lingard has returned to Manchester United, Moyes will not want to lose Bowen.

Pereira, who recently managed to score 11 goals in English football’s top flight, however, does not look like he would be a bad replacement.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, Lawrie Sanchez has described Sheffield United boss Slavisa Jokanovic as a “golden ticket” to the Premier League.

Jokanovic arrived at Bramall Lane at the end of May, replacing Chris Wilder and taking over from Paul Heckingbottom, who had been in temporary charge of the Yorkshire club.

United will start the 2021/22 season in the Championship following their relegation from the Premier League but, with Jokanovic in charge, Sanchez does not think they will be in English football’s second tier for too long.

Discussing United’s decision to appoint the 52-year-old in an interview with TT, the former top-flight manager said:

“I was surprised actually. Although, to be fair, Jokanovic got Watford up. I mean, to get two teams to the Premier League, he’s a golden ticket.”

Indeed, having taken both Watford and Fulham from the Championship to the Premier League, Jokanovic looks like a really smart appointment by United.

Of course, there are going to be some tough teams in the second division fighting for promotion next year.

West Brom and Jokanovic’s former club Fulham were, of course, also relegated, while the likes of Swansea City and Bournemouth have shown they are capable sides under Steve Cooper and Jonathan Woodgate respectively, both reaching the play-offs.

But given Jokanovic’s history, the Blades will surely fancy their chances under the Serbian.

An update has emerged regarding Liverpool’s interest in Sampdoria winger Mikkel Damsgaard.

What’s the talk?

According to TuttoMercatoWeb, the Reds have made an initial enquiry over a deal to sign the 21-year-old from the Serie A outfit ahead of tonight’s transfer deadline.

The report claims that Jurgen Klopp’s side could come in with an offer for the Denmark international, but the Genoa-based club want to keep him.

Parting gift

Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards is reportedly due to leave the club at the end of the season and he must ensure that he seals a deal for Damsgaard as his parting gift to Klopp.

Edwards has been the architect of the Reds’ excellent transfer business in recent years, with the likes of Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah coming in under his stewardship, and Damsgaard could be his final masterstroke.

He would still have the January transfer window to complete deals before leaving in the summer of 2022, but if he can bring the Danish starlet to Anfield on deadline day, that could alleviate the need for any business in the winter and make this his final move. The mastermind must now reach an agreement with Sampdoria to tempt them into changing their minds.

Xherdan Shaqiri left the club earlier this month and Edwards could replace him by landing the Sampdoria winger in the final few hours of the window. The 21-year-old Dane has caught the eye for his country this year, with four goals and three assists in his last six starts for Denmark.

Earlier this year, Danish football expert Martin Mikkelsen hailed Damsgaard as being ‘magical’ and outlined some of the forward’s best assets.

He told TV2 Sport: “It’s the season’s assist. Isn’t that where we are? He’s magical – what a speed! It is fantastic improvisation, and he just finds Balde in the field, as they both know what is going to happen.

“It is a free space he has, as he is not so locked. He is dynamic and can go both ways. He is creative but also so mature in his decisions. Was it something we dreamed of? It’s awesome.”

In five European Championship appearances, Damsgaard scored two goals and set up one goal for his teammates as he averaged an excellent WhoScored rating of 7.28. This shows that he has the quality to step up and perform on one of the biggest stages, which suggests that he could have the potential to join Liverpool and be a success.

At the age of 21, he also has plenty of time left to develop as a player. He could improve under Klopp’s coaching and be a project on whom the German can work over the course of a number of years.

This is why he could be the perfect parting gift from Edwards to the manager, as he would be leaving Klopp with a promising player with the scope to go on and achieve great things.

In other news: Liverpool must secure 2022 agreement for “special” £36m-rated gem, fans would love him

Aston Villa have been linked with a move for Celtic attacking midfielder David Turnbull this summer.

However, according to The Athletic’s Aston Villa correspondent Gregg Evans, Turnbull, ‘is not a target’ for Dean Smith’s side.

The Lowdown: Villa’s reported £7m bid

Reports just last week suggested that Villa were readying a £7m offer for Turnbull this summer.

Villa watched Turnbull in action on a number of occasions during the 2020/21 season, with manager Smith receiving glowing reports on the Scot.

A possible swoop for Turnbull was thought to be due to Ross Barkley’s loan coming to an end, along with Jack Grealish being linked with a Villa Park exit.

However, according to Evans, Turnbull isn’t of interest to Villa over the coming months.

The Latest: Celtic man staying put

Evans shared a story on Villa’s transfer plans on Friday morning, insisting Burnley’s Dwight McNeil and Norwich City’s Emiliano Buendia are targets, with extensive groundwork already laid on possible deals.

However, when it came to Turnbull, Evans said:

“Elsewhere, it’s understood that Celtic midfielder David Turnbull, a player linked to Villa, is not a target.”

The Verdict: A boost for Eddie Howe?

In our opinion, this will come as a huge boost to Eddie Howe. The 43-year-old is thought to be closing in on a move to Parkhead, with an announcement reportedly imminent.

You’d expect he’d want to keep hold of Celtic’s best players, and you can certainly include Turnbull in that category.

He was a shining light in a disappointing season for the Hoops, with his displays earning him the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award.

Turnbull completed 85 key passes in the 2020/21 campaign, 15 more than any other Scottish Premiership player, as per WhoScored.

On that basis, you’d expect Turnbull to be a key man for Howe in an attacking sense, so it’s good to see a move to the Midlands is off the table.

In other news: Alan Nixon provides Howe latest, find out more here. 

Aston Villa can afford to part ways with left-back Matt Targett, currently on loan at Premier League rivals Newcastle United, with the Englishman looking to leave the West Midlands outfit permanently this summer

What’s the latest?

The 26-year-old recently spoke publicly of his desire to make his stay in the North East permanent, saying: “I’m sure and hope they can sort something out for me.

“For sure [decision time] is coming closer so, at the moment, I am really enjoying my time here and loving playing in front of the Geordie fans here.”

Toon boss Eddie Howe was made aware of those comments after Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Leicester City and reacted by stating: “If that’s what he said then it’s a lovely thing to hear from our perspective that he’s happy at the club and enjoying everything Newcastle has to offer.

“I’d be surprised if there was any other feeling from him because he’s looked so happy and settled in well.

“There are still games to play this season and opinions to be fully formed but I think he’s done very well. He’s fitted into the team and the group very well. He’s been very consistent with his performances.”

The Englishman made the move to Tyneside in January in an attempt to guarantee playing time after Villa’s £25m purchase of Lucas Digne from Everton.

Now, with the Frenchman undoubtedly Steven Gerrard’s first choice, it seems as though Targett will have to leave the West Midlands club permanently for regular game time in the top-flight.

Villa can afford to part ways with Targett

Despite a tricky start to life in claret and blue for Digne with numerous injury issues, the 28-year-old will start next season as Villa’s favoured left-back.

As a result, Targett has every right to seek a new challenge, particularly after an impressive three months as a Newcastle player.

Whether or not the North-East outfit’s expected heavy investment for high-profile talent this summer will shut the Englishman out of a permanent move is yet to be seen. However, from a Villa perspective, they can let Targett go with few consequences.

Granted, the Villans will have to seek a new backup left-back with 36-year-old Ashley Young’s contract set to expire this summer but this shouldn’t prove to be too tall a task.

The 26-year-old has proven to be a solid purchase for two-and-a-half seasons of service after his move from Southampton in 2019.

However, this campaign had since mixed displays from the left-back in claret and blue, with his opening day performance in the 3-2 defeat at Watford particularly alarming.

The Athletic’s Gregg Evans tweeted on the day: “Feeling a little bit for Matt Targett here. 14 mins in and Sarr is causing him all sorts of problems. Hard to watch.”

Even with injury issues, Digne has performed slightly better for Villa than the 26-year-old had prior to his move to St.James’ Park, according to SofaScore, with Targett’s average rating standing at 6.84 whilst Digne’s has been 6.9.

With Villa, like Newcastle, looking to make the next step up, the £59k-per-week Englishman may have to seek a completely different alternative when it comes to a permanent move. However, it won’t be a loss for Aston Villa.

AND in other news, Cost £0, now worth £19.8m: Villa struck gold on £15k-p/w gem who “demands attention”…