Transfer roundup: United increases Pogba bid, Atletico want Costa reunion

Matic to Juventus, Januzaj to Sunderland? Read all the gossip here

English Premier League giants Manchester United have reportedly re-submitted an increased bid for Juventus’ highly rated midfielder Paul Pogba, the Guardian reported.

United, who have previously seen their last bid of £86 million rejected by the Italian giants, have increased their bid to £92 million to sign the French international, but the Turin-based club is asking for another €10 million in add-ons.

If the deal goes through, Pogba will become the most expensive player in the history of football, and his transfer fee will take over Gareth Bale’s record transfer fee of £87 million to Real Madrid.

Atletico wants Costa

PHOTO: REUTERS

Spanish club Atletico Madrid want to sign their former striker, the Daily Mirror reported.

The Madrid-based club is interested in signing Chelsea’s Diego Costa, who joined the Premier League giants for the fee of £32 million in 2013.

Los Rojiblancos believes that Costa, who represented the Spanish club more than 90 league matches over  the course of four seasons from 2010-14, would be open to rejoining Diego Simeone’s team ahead of next season.

However, it is reported that the 27-year-old, who received backing publicly from new manager Antonio Conte, has told the Blues that he will not force a move away from Stamford Bridge.

It is also believed that the London-based club is desperate to sign Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid, and they will let the Spanish striker leave if the club manage to sign the 23-year-old from Los Blancos.

Juve wants Matic as Pogba’s replacement

PHOTO: REUTERS

 

Italian champions Juventus are lining up a move for Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matić as a replacement Paul Pogba, the Daily Mail reported.

The Turin-based club have conceded the fact that they will lose their star midfielder Paul Pogba to Manchester United before the start of next season.

Therefore, manager Massimiliano Allegri has identified Matic as the first choice to replace the outgoing French international.

New Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has already signed N'Golo Kante from Leicester City for £30million to anchor midfield, and it is believed that he will let the Serbian international leave the club in order to generate funds to sign striker Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid.

Sunderland wants United’s Januzaj on loan

PHOTO: REUTERS

New Sunderland manager David Moyes will contact former club Manchester United over a possible loan move for his former winger, the Daily Mail reported.

Adnan Januzaj was given his club debut under Moyes, when he was the head of the Manchester-based club.

The 21-year-old was sent on loan to Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2015, where he struggled to cement his place in the playing eleven, and appeared only six times for the German club and returned to Old Trafford in January.

Varane vows to stay at Madrid

PHOTO: REUTERS

Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane says he wants to stay at Santiago Bernabue, according to Madrid-based newspaper Marca.

The 23-year-old was linked with a move to Premier League giants Manchester United, but the French international insisted that he wants to stay in Madrid. "I want to stay here this year,” said Varane. “I feel loved by the fans who want the best for me, and the best is yet to come."

However, Varane also expressed his desire to play more first-team football after spending five years at the club. “After being at Real for five years, I want to take the next step," he added.