After a wonderful transfer window for Manchester United, news has emerged that Mino Raiola has been hawking Paul Pogba to Barcelona and Juventus. Remember, European clubs have until 31 August to make signings, so the Mill is going to spend the day wondering what Ed Woodward will do if it comes down to a straight choice between Pogba and the Sulky One.
But if it’s any consolation for José Mourinho, other managers also had annoying summers. Take Mauricio Pochettino, who made no signings at Tottenham, because Daniel Levy is a crack negotiator. Tottenham couldn’t even prise Jack Grealish away from Aston Villa, who are set to give the creative midfielder a new contract that will contain a clause allowing the 22-year-old to leave if Steve Bruce’s side miss out on promotion to the Premier League this season.
If Grealish does eventually end up at White Hart Lane, it is unlikely that Danny Rose will be waiting to greet him. Rose remains out of favour with Pochettino and could be sent to Paris Saint-Germain on loan as punishment.
Watford spent deadline day unsuccessfully trying to sign Stefano Sturaro from Juventus. The midfielder could join Sporting Lisbon instead. Another Watford target is also going elsewhere, with PSG’s Gonçalo Guedes set for a move to Valencia for £40m.
Middlesbrough remain confident of signing Mo Besic on loan after a permanent transfer for the Everton midfielder fell through. Yannick Bolasie could also be heading to the Riverside, while Everton are waiting to see if their loan move for Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma will be sanctioned. Villa, meanwhile, want to sign Robert Snodgrass from West Ham.
Chelsea are also looking to send Tiemoué Bakayoko on loan to Milan and Michy Batshuayi on loan to Valencia, while Internazionale will show Mourinho how to sign a defender by nabbing Matteo Darmian from United.
