Lionel Messi would like Barcelona to sign midfielder Paul Pogba from Manchester United, according to Calciomercato.
After missing out on Antoine Griezmann this summer, Barca have now turned their attentions to another Frenchman, with Pogba seen as an improvement on Paulinho in the centre of the park.
Pogba’s arrival at Camp Nou would allow Philippe Coutinho to move out to the wing, providing additional support for Messi.
Real Madrid stunned as Ronaldo agrees to join Juventus
The Champions League holders expected to hold on to their star attacker despite recent rumours, but he is set to begin a new chapter in Italy
Real Madrid have been left shocked by Cristiano Ronaldo’s decision to leave the European champions to join Juventus.
Goal can confirm the 33-year-old is close to completing a move to the Serie A side, having already reached an agreement over a four-year contract worth €30 million (£26.5m/$35m) per season.
Juventus still have to negotiate a fee with Madrid and are expected to have to pay upwards of €100m (£88m/$117m), but could go as high as €120m (£106m/$140.5m).
Although the prospect of the Portugal star leaving the Santiago Bernabeu outfit has only increased since he indicated he wanted to leave after his side beat Liverpool to win a third consecutive Champions League final , those in charge at Madrid have only recently started to take it seriously.
But Ronaldo is closer than ever to leaving and the Bianconeri are confident of landing a player they tried to sign from Sporting CP when he was 18 years old, only to see the move collapse because Marcelo Salas, offered in exchange for him, rejected the move to Portugal.
However, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has admitted before that he admired Juve as a child and felt the respect of the fans after scoring with a stunning overhead kick when Madrid visited the Turin team in the Champions League.
Ronaldo sees Juventus as the ideal team to enhance his global reputation as he aims to dominate another of Europe’s top divisions and compete for another Champions League crown to add to the five he has won with United and Madrid.
Furthermore, the Blancos captain feels a lack of protection at Madrid. Reports of his unhappiness first arose last summer when A Bola reported his desire to leave amid his issues with the Spanish tax authorities, which he has agreed to settle with a €18.8 million (£16m/$22m) payoff .
The situation got worse as Ronaldo had a rough start to the season while Madrid were constantly reported to be looking for replacements for him.
This week, Madrid had to release statements denying reports they had made offers for Paris Saint-Germain stars Neymar and Kylian Mbappe .
Although Ronaldo has often said he is open to staying at Madrid until the end of his playing career, his relationship with the club has deteriorated and prompted him to find the love he seeks in Italy.
Kempes wants Argentina job following disastrous World Cup
With Jorge Sampaoli’s future in doubt due to World Cup disappointment, one of their 1978 heroes says he wants to take charge of Argentina
Mario Kempes says he would be “willing” to take charge of Argentina should Jorge Sampaoli be sacked.
Sampaoli has a contract to 2022 but his future is in doubt after La Albiceleste’s poor performances at the World Cup.
After qualifying from the group stage thanks to Marcos Rojo’s late winner against Nigeria, Sampaoli’s side were dumped out by France in the round of 16
The Argentine Football Association has yet to confirm whether the former Chile boss will be retained, but Kempes is keen to take over.
“It’s not easy to carry forward the national team because you have a whole country behind you,” Kempes said, as reported by ESPN.
“But I would be willing to take charge of the Argentina national team.”
Kempes scored twice in the 1978 World Cup final, winning both the Golden Ball and Golden Boot as Argentina triumphed on home soil.
However, his managerial career is much less impressive, having spent time in charge of clubs in Albania, Bolivia and Indonesia, but did not win any silverware from the dugout.
He last managed in 2002, taking charge of Italian lower division side Casarano Calcio for one season.
Kempes is the latest ex-Argentina international to throw his hat into the ring following Diego Maradona, who admitted that he would be prepared to return to the position for free, having previously managed from 2008 to 2010.
By Jamie Smith
Man Utd line up £12m Shaqiri
Manchester United are ready to swoop for Switzerland international attacker Xherdan Shaqiri from Stoke City, The Sun reports.
Jose Mourinho is ready to pay £12 million ($16m) for the former Bayern Munich man, who has also been linked with Liverpool.
The Portuguese boss, however, is unhappy that certain members of his squad are pricing themselves out of moves away from Old Trafford.
