{"id":1094750,"date":"2019-06-20T18:11:31","date_gmt":"2019-06-20T17:11:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1094750"},"modified":"2022-09-20T22:08:01","modified_gmt":"2022-09-20T21:08:01","slug":"juventus-real-madrid-exchange-pogba-man-utd","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/juventus-real-madrid-exchange-pogba-man-utd\/","title":{"rendered":"The Juventus and Real Madrid players Man Utd should try to get in exchange for Pogba"},"content":{"rendered":"

By all accounts, Juventus and Real Madrid are the two clubs fighting over Paul Pogba’s signature this summer.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Manchester United are reportedly keen to keep hold of the midfielder, but Pogba has suggested he may seek a new challenge after spending the last three years at Old Trafford.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/audioboom.com\/posts\/7291399-man-utd-s-galaxy-brain-move-trade-pogba-for-two-real-madrid-midfielders<\/p>\n

Despite appearing inconsistent on the surface, Pogba was United’s standout performer from a statistical standpoint last season and losing him would undeniably reduce the squad’s overall level of quality. With that in mind, Ole Gunner Solskjaer will be looking to spend the money the club receives for Pogba \u2013 if they do decide to sell \u2013 wisely by bringing in some appropriate replacements.<\/p>\n

One way to do that would be to ask Juventus or Real Madrid for players in exchange. United apparently value Pogba at \u00a3150 million<\/a>, so feasibly, they might tempt his suitors into accepting cash-plus-player deals.<\/p>\n

Solskjaer knows he must improve his squad to challenge for the top four next season, regardless of Pogba’s future. United’s current lack of Champions League football is an obvious stumbling block in terms of attracting big names, but the club’s stature remains alluring.<\/p>\n

So, who are the Juventus and Real Madrid stars the Red Devils should be targeting? We’ve picked out a few.<\/p>\n

Goalkeepers<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Thibaut Courtois<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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David De Gea’s future at Manchester United continues to be a source of uncertainty. The Spaniard, who has one year left on his contract, struggled last season and has been linked with Paris Saint-Germain of late; perhaps even Madrid will revive their past interest. Regardless, United may be looking to refresh between the sticks and Thibaut Courtois provides them with an option to do exactly that.<\/p>\n

The Belgian thrived in the Premier League at Chelsea but has flattered to deceive since making the switch to the Bernabeu last summer. Swapping clubs with Pogba offers Courtois the chance to return to England, where he kept 19 clean sheets in his final season compared to just 10 during his first year at Madrid.<\/p>\n

In reality, though, this deal would only happen if De Gea departed this summer and it’s unlikely United will want to lose both De Gea and Pogba in the same window.<\/p>\n

Defenders<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Joao Cancelo<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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First things first: Joao Cancelo is being strongly linked with a move to Manchester City<\/a>. The chance to work with Pep Guardiola and be part of a team that has just won a domestic treble will prove tough to turn down for the right-back, and it will be difficult for any other club to convince Cancelo to reject a move to the Etihad. That said, United should at least make an attempt.<\/p>\n

Cancelo, 25, will have to compete with Kyle Walker for a place in City’s starting line-up. Walker has just signed a new long-term contract and he won’t be easily displaced. Meanwhile, at United, Cancelo would surely be the team’s first-choice right-back ahead of Matteo Darmian, who has been linked with Juventus, and Ashley Young.<\/p>\n

In 2018\/19, Cancelo provided five assists in 25 Serie A appearances. The Portugal international would add attacking thrust to United’s right side. It’s just a matter of convincing him to ignore the call of the noisy neighbours.<\/p>\n

Alex Sandro<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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United are less desperate on the opposite flank with Luke Shaw having nailed down a starting spot at left-back. However, competition for Shaw is clearly needed after the former Southampton defender endured a difficult run-in last season \u2013 as did most of his teammates. Alex Sandro, a player who has been mooted as a United target in the past, would be ideal.<\/p>\n

The Brazilian has four years left on his current contract but United could bypass having to pay a large fee by including him in a deal for Pogba. When the Guardian<\/a> first broke the news of Juventus’ interest in re-signing Pogba, Alex Sandro was mentioned as a potential makeweight, so there does seem to be some momentum behind the chances of this one happening.<\/p>\n

Midfielders<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Dani Ceballos<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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We’re now getting into the territory of directly replacing Pogba with another central midfielder. The Frenchman’s exit will leave a void in the team that needs filling. Real Madrid are reportedly willing to offer Dani Ceballos to Tottenham in exchange for Christian Eriksen, so the same logic can be applied to their pursuit of Pogba.<\/p>\n

According to reports<\/a>, Ceballos has told Zidane he wants to leave the Bernabeu in search of more regular first-team football elsewhere. And with Pogba and Herrera on their way out of United, Ceballos may be able to step into the breach. The 22-year-old wouldn’t be an elite replacement, but he’d be a capable stop-gap and a decent squad option while the Red Devils search for their next superstar.<\/p>\n

Ceballos is worth less than United’s other options, too, meaning Ed Woodward could attempt to include an additional player in the deal.<\/p>\n