Pogba’s ready to Bale out
BY JAMES NURSEY
REAL MADRID want Paul Pogba to join Eden Hazard in Spain in a deal that could see Gareth Bale switch to Manchester United.
Hazard’s initial £88m move was finalised this week, with the Chelsea star expected to be announced at the Bernabeu next week.
And Zinedine Zidane wants to make United attacking midfielder Pogba his next capture.
That would make Bale – already out of favour with his manager – surplus to requirements but an attractive option to sweeten the pot for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the Old Trafford board.
France international Pogba will cost around £130m if he is to be prised from the Red Devils.
But Bale could be used as part of the deal if an agreement can be reached on the remaining three years of his mega contract, which is worth more than £600,000 a week.
Zidane has already signed striker Luka Jovic for £58m and is watching developments with Christian Eriksen at Spurs, where the Dane has just a year left on his contract.
Bale was an unused sub in Real’s final game of the
Turn to Page 50 CHELSEA are ready to build a new-look team round the young talent already at the club – after not attempting to get their transfer ban frozen.
New boy Christian Pulisic (right) and starlet Callum Hudson-Odoi will be guaranteed playing time after Eden Hazard completed his £88m move to Real Madrid last night.
But fellow youngsters Reece James, Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount
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from JEREMY CROSS in Guimaraes
JOHN STONES has been warned his England place is at risk if he doesn’t play more games for Manchester City.
The 25-year-old took the brunt of the blame for England’s Nations League semi-final defeat to Holland here on Thursday night after making two costly errors.
It was his worst display in 38 appearances as England’s hopes of silverware were crushed.
And boss Gareth Southgate admitted yesterday that his star centre-back’s form has suffered because of his lack of game time with Pep Guardiola’s Treble winners.
“He’s had a difficult end to the season in that he was not playing regularly at his club,” said the England coach. “We still think he has been our best centre
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