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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Liam Wood

Paul Pogba replacement identified and more Manchester United transfer rumours

Manchester United have identified AC Milan star Franck Kessie as their number one target to replace Paul Pogba next summer, according to reports.

Speculation over Pogba continues to rumble on after the World Cup winner rejected a contract extension.

As things stand, the 87-cap France international is into the final 12 months of his existing deal here at Old Trafford - and a new agreement has yet to be struck up between the Premier League giants and his super agent Mino Raiola.

A decision to hold back when offered those terms is thought to have been made to keep options his open.

Pogba is a product of the famed United academy and returned to the UK, from Juventus, for £90million in 2016. He has scored 38 goals and provided 49 assists since touching back down in the Premier League.

Also on the radar for key figures at Liverpool and Tottenham, midfielder Kessie is in the same boat as Pogba.

Indeed, the Milan player also sees his contract at the San Siro end in 2022 - prompting United to earmark him as a potential replacement for Pogba.

That's according to a report from Gazzetta dello Sport. Kessie, 24, signed for Milan from Atalanta in 2019.

Meanwhile, striker Edinson Cavani is reported to be on the radar for Spanish giants Real Madrid, with a would-be swoop impending this January window.

United great Cristiano Ronaldo sealed a sensation return to Old Trafford on deadline day.

It was a transfer which saw Cavani relinquish the number 7 shirt to accommodate the Portuguese captain, but that seemingly also came at a cost of his first-team place.

Barcelona have already been linked with a move for a player they were tracking during his PSG days.

However, with the upcoming window in sight, El Clasico rivals Madrid are expected to come calling for Cavani - as well - with president Florentino Perez continuing to mull over a second move.

Perez is thought to be a huge admirer of the experienced Uruguay striker.

According to El Nacional, the La Liga table-toppers wanted to strike up a loan deal in August, but will press on with that interest when elite clubs get down to business, once again, during the winter months.

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