Man Utd transfer news: Paul Pogba-plus-cash offer for Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale

Red Devils also keeping tabs on PSG and
Belgium defender Thomas Meunier

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If true, it could mean the return of Bale to the Premier League
five years after he left Tottenham.

Spanish media claim that the Red Devils have made their
first bid for Bale and that it includes Pogba moving in the other
direction. Since arriving at Old Trafford from Juventus for a
record £89m in 2016, the Frenchman has failed to fire and Mourinho
has reportedly decided that he needs to go.

However, the Express says that “a straight swap deal may
not be enough” for Real, given Pogba’s loss of form, so “United are
also prepared to offer a large cash sum”.

Meanwhile Bale’s agent, Jonathan Barnett, fuelled the rumours
during an informal discussion with Sky Sports at Royal Ascot. Asked about Bale’s
future, Barnett replied: “I think we have to have a chat with Real
Madrid and see where we’re going. He wants a better year than he
had last year. He wants to play more, and that’s paramount to
him.

“I think he’s one of the top three or four players on
Earth. For somebody like him, he has to play. It’s not about
money.”  

Meunier to Manchester?

Jose Mourinho’s ears will have pricked up following an interview
given by Paris Saint-Germain defender Thomas Meunier to
Sport/Football Magazine, reports Italian outlet Calciomercato. 

The United boss has been keeping tabs on the Belgian
blocker for a while, as have Juventus – and it seems the
26-year-old is weighing up his options while on World Cup duty with
his country.

“Being at Paris Saint-Germain is a great opportunity for
me,” said Meunier, who arrived in France in 2016 in a €7m (£6.2m)
deal from Belgian club Club Brugge. “But if I have a meeting with
[new coach Thomas] Tuchel and if he tells me that I’m his second
choice, I’ll have to give my opinion.”

That opinion is likely to involve a transfer request, and
Mourinho is reportedly monitoring the situation as he continues to
overhaul his defence ahead of the new domestic season.