This summer was always going to be one of big changes to the Manchester United squad. It now seems that the wheels are now in motion for France international midfielder Paul Pogba to leave the Red Devils.
The former Juventus star has now stated that he is ‘thinking about a new challenge’. That would suggest he is looking to leave the club from Manchester this summer.
United linked with move for Barcelona
If Pogba does leave this summer, then according to Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Manchester United could raid Barcelona to sign Croatian star Ivan Rakitic and Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho.
Rakitic’s future has been in doubt in Catalonia, after a largely unconvincing campaign. Reportedly Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde is keen on keeping the 31-year-old, despite the big-money summer arrival of Dutch central midfield star Frenkie de Jong. However, he is open to selling the former Sevilla midfielder for the right price.
Coutinho has endured a difficult time at the Camp Nou since making a big-money switch from Liverpool in January transfer window of 2018. The Brazilian has failed to live-up to his reported £140million transfer fee.
Due to his underwhelming displays since his switch, Barcelona are now believed to be open to selling the star. However, like Rakitic, the Catalan giants will only consider allowing the forward to leave for the right price. Chelsea have also been linked with a move for the Brazilian international.
Pogba and Lukaku sales could fund squad revamp
The Manchester United squad is brimming full of talented players, who seem to have underperformed. Two of those players to fall into that category are Pogba and Belgian international striker Romelu Lukaku.
Pogba has been linked with moves to both Real Madrid and Juventus. United reportedly are looking for around £150million, while the Red Devils will be looking to recoup the majority of the initial £75million fee they paid to Everton to sign Lukaku.
The sale of the pair would certainly add to the transfer kitty of United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this summer. Both are good players, but neither have shined on a consistent basis for the men from Manchester.
Neither are universally popular with the United fans either. If the Red Devils sold the pair and improved the team as a whole, then no doubt the decision would please the fans. Signing both Coutinho and Rakitic would improve the United team.
A long way to go for a title challenge
This summer will be about rebuilding a team capable of challenging for the top four in the Premier League next season. The Red Devils are now fifth favourites to claim a Champions League spot next season.
Traditionally during the Premier League years United have been challenging for the Premier League title. That is the sort of level that fans of the Manchester club will be hoping for in the near future.
However, currently Solskjaer’s team are a million miles behind their two biggest rivals in football Liverpool and Manchester City. It will take time to get back to that level. It will not happen overnight.
To do that though, United needs to be shrewd in the transfer market. It remains to be seen if the people at the club responsible for transfers can help the team regain success once again.
Should Manchester United pursue interest in Barcelona pair?
