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Gossip: Pogba 'regrets' Man Utd return as Real Madrid circle, Arsenal 'target Dembele'

Relationship breakdown: Jose Mourinho and Paul Pogba may be going their separate ways
Relationship breakdown: Jose Mourinho and Paul Pogba may be going their separate ways

Paul Pogba has always seemed like such a happy chap. Dancing around, posting little video clips on Instagram, doing funny raps, talking loudly, high fiving, kicking footballs, winning headers, scoring goals.

But there is no one better at sucking a personality out of a footballer than Jose Mourinho.

When the once effervescent Frenchman trudged off the pitch at Newcastle last weekend following his latest substitution, he looked like a man who couldn’t have attained happiness even if he won a lifetime’s supply of crisps and had that Pharrell song playing on his headphones on a loop.

He looked distinctly unhappy. But is he unhappy enough to leave Manchester United? Again.

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Apparently so, according to the Sun, which reports – via French paper L’Equipe – that the midfielder is “so unhappy” with the role Mourinho has given him that he “regrets” returning to Old Trafford.

Pogs is said to favour an “attacking role on the left side of a midfield three” but in United’s current set-up he has often been used in a midfield two and been given more defensive responsibilities than he would like.

Mourinho is apparently not a fan of the 24-year-old’s “swashbuckling style”. Although that does beg the question, why did he buy him then?

He wouldn’t have any trouble un-buying him if it comes to it. The Star says Pogba’s trusty agent Mino Raiola is ready to “step in” and is looking at the possibility of moving the player to another club in the summer.

This is music to the ears of Real Madrid, who are reportedly keen to bring Pogba to the Bernabeu and would be willing to pay at least £120m for him.

But the boring old Telegraph says Pogba is not going anywhere and is “committed to working through any differences of opinion” with Mourinho, who considers his most expensive player “integral” to United’s future. Maybe they can do a make-up rap together and Pogs can post it on Insta.


Arsenal want Barca flop Dembele

In gossip that isn’t about Paul Pogba, the Mirror says Arsenal are set to flex their new-found transfer market muscle by swooping for Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele.

The young Frenchman cost Barca £93m last summer but has managed just 170 minutes of La Liga action all season. This has raised hopes at the Emirates that the Gunners can re-unite the 20-year-old with his former Borussia Dortmund team-mate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Yet more bad news for Alexandre Lacazette.

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Meanwhile, Liverpool are trying to complete a deal to sign Roma goalkeeper Alisson ahead of the summer transfer window, with Sky Sports “sources” claiming talks between the two clubs are “already under way”.

However, the Italians value the Brazilian at £62m, which is more than anyone has paid for a goalkeeper ever. Although the Reds recently paid more than anyone has paid for a defender ever, so they shouldn’t mind.

Elsewhere, Aston Villa defender John Terry wants to return to Chelsea in a coaching role and “has his eye on Antonio Conte’s job” as manager (Mirror), Tottenham’s latest contract talks with Toby Alderweireld have reached a “stalemate” (ESPN) and Joe Hart is ready to quit Manchester City (and West Ham) at the end of the season and try to rebuild his career “abroad” (Sun). Doesn’t matter where abroad, but somewhere hot where you can get a good full English and nobody recognised him would be nice.