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ZI TIME IS NOW
Paul Pogba told by Zinedine Zidane it’s now or never to swap Man Utd for Real Madrid
If Pogba decides to leave it would trigger a massive rebuild at Old Trafford worth more than £300m
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PAUL POGBA has been told by Zinedine Zidane it is now or never to move to Real Madrid.
The Manchester United star, 26, is the Real chief’s top target and it would trigger an Old Trafford re-build of at least £330million.
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United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has already been promised over £100m for a new marquee signing and another £50m for other targets.
But he will also be allowed to spend any funds raised from summer transfer deals.
And with Pogba desperate to move to the Spanish giants and keeper David De Gea the No 1 target of Paris Saint-Germain, the Norwegian’s budget would double.
French World Cup winner Pogba would cost at least £100m and United will demand £80m for De Gea, who is refusing to sign a new contract.
Solskjaer can also rely on more money for out-of-favour Nemanja Matic, Eric Bailly and Marcus Rojo. And Alexis Sanchez, whose £505,000-a-week salary is a major reason for dressing-room unrest, will be ditched — even if United have to pay up his contract.
It would mean more wriggle room in terms of the wage bill with Ander Herrera heading to PSG on a free transfer, plus the exit of out-of-contract Juan Mata.
Solskjaer says he does not see six new players coming in this summer and wants to give talented youngsters like Mason Greenwood and Tahith Chong the chance to shine alongside another in Scott McTominay.
He also insists it will take more than one season to turn United into title contenders again.
MAN UTD MAKEOVER
And the departure of Pogba, who has told friends he wants to work with Zidane, would also be the catalyst for a change in style.
Solskjaer has said he wants to build his side around the enigmatic Frenchman but Pogba is not buying into that plan as the Norwegian is working on a higher– energy passing philosophy.
United’s hierarchy maintain Pogba is not for sale at any price but Zidane is not prepared to wait as he starts his own reconstruction job at the Bernabeu.
Zizou has made it clear to Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola that for his plan, with Chelsea’s Eden Hazard also part of it, he needs him this summer or not at all.
The stance is certain to force Pogba and his representative to agitate to get the move through.
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Solskjaer has repeated it will take more than one season to turn United into a title contenders again but says he is confident that there will be no problem attracting top names, even if they find themselves in the Europa
League next season.
United have the likes of Jadon Sancho, Youri Tielemans and Gareth Bale on their radar and money, especially if Pogba and De Gea go, will be no object.
And with Inter Milan also eyeing £75m Romelu Lukaku there could even be more funds in Solskjaer’s kitty.
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