Transfer gossip: Man City to gazump Man United for De Jong after Pogba snub

Paul Pogba turned down Manchester City but would Frenkie de Jong be able to do the same? Man United will probably say they never wanted him anyway…

DE JONG FOR DE CITY?

Manchester City were strongly linked with a move for Kalvin Phillips but they might be re-thinking that strategy after his performance in that England sh*t-show on Tuesday night. So it’s nice timing that there is talk in Spain of City moving for Manchester United target Frenkie De Jong, who has always been admired by Pep Guardiola.

It would certainly make sense as Barcelona want Bernardo Silva to do a swap deal, which would mean City paying a nominal fee for the Dutchman, though Mundo Deportivo do admit that ‘there have been no contacts yet between clubs regarding a possible exchange’ so it might just be a case of 2 +2 equalling a rather nice transfer rumour.

It would certainly test De Jong’s faith in Erik Ten Hag if he had the choice between champions City and sixth-place United.

WHO ELSE FOR MAN UNITED?

There were obviously a flurry of leaks from Manchester United on Tuesday as they briefed that actually, Darwin Nunez had been snubbed by them and they never thought he was worth that money. The kicker to that narrative being pedalled wasPOGBA  that we got a whole load of information about what they actually do want and need.

And what they have done – according to Sky Sports and others – is talk to Ajax about winger Antony and defender Jurrien Timber, while edging closer to a deal for De Jong. They did have interest in Nunez but have prioritised the midfield. The name of Villarreal’s Pau Torres is also mentioned but the club believe they are ‘well-stocked’ in central defence, which is a sentence that should worry United fans.

POGBA TURNED DOWN CITY

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