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European Paper Review

More speculation - but still no transfer - around Paul Pogba, while his suitors Man United get a shock from a 19-year-old in China.

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The rumours surrounding Paul Pogba’s transfer to Manchester United continue to circulate around Europe, with France’s L’Équipe last week calling it “the transfer of the century.” The biggest, maybe, but would it really be a bigger shock than Louis Figo moving from Barcelona to Real Madrid at the start of the century? And, unlike Zinedine Zidane’s move from Juventus to Madrid when he was largely considered the best midfielder in the world, there are doubts that Pogba is. Like many top players, he was less than spectacular in France and because Louis van Gaal baulked at the prospect of buying Renato Sanchez – one player who did fulfil his promise – United don’t feel they have a lot of options left for a top central midfielder. Still, Pogba’s a cracking player with a bright future ahead of him. However, he’s still a Juventus player. Why? L’Équipe claimed that the demands of the player’s Dutch-Italian agent Mino Raiola are all that are delaying the move.

“There is a clause in Pogba’s contract guaranteeing 20% of any transfer fee to Raiola,” said French broadcaster RTL Sport on Sunday evening.

“Juventus have told United that they want €125m to which the English club would have to add €24m, bringing the total to €149m,” they continued. “This is what is preventing the move from being finalised.”

Meanwhile, Le Figaro estimates that the transfer could ultimately cost United €154m with bonuses. When Le Parisien asked readers if they thought the French international was worth such a fee, 92.5% responded: “Non.”

Elsewhere, L’Équipe reports from “several sources” that French striker Alexandre Lacazette has informed Lyon of his desire to leave, with the club, fuelling speculation that Arsenal are planning a double move for both him and Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez.

Indeed, Eurosport France revealed on Saturday that Mahrez had all but completed a move to Arsenal, with Algerian daily Le Matin d’Algérie quoting a transfer fee of €50m (£41.8m). But by Sunday evening they had backtracked, saying that Claudio Ranieri is battling to retain their compatriot.

In Germany, Borussia Dortmund’s summer spending spree reached a new level last week with the purchases of forwards Mario Götze (€23m/£19.2m from Bayern Munich) and André Schürrle (€30m/£25m from VfL Wolfsburg). “Attack with two world champions!” reads Monday morning’s Kicker, whilst Tagesspiegel said: “Germany’s final heroes reunited!” - referring to Götze’s extra-time winner in the 2014 World Cup final, which was set up by Schürrle.

For Schürrle, it’s a new adventure but for Götze, it’s “Back to the Future!” (11 Freunde) as the 23-year-old returns to the Westfalenstadion. As Süddeutsche Zeitung pointed out, he joins Shinji Kagawa, Nuri Sahin, Maro Reus and other “lost sons of BVB” who all left and returned to Dortmund.

Despite losing Mats Hummels, Ilkay Gündoğan and Henrikh Mkhitaryan (and with star-striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reiterating his dream to play for Real Madrid in an interview with TV broadcaster ZDF), manager Thomas Tuchel has been praised for the young talent he has brought to Dortmund this summer, but not everyone is convinced. “Two faded World Cup heroes – BVB are risking their future with Götze and Schürrle,” warned Süddeutsche Zeitung.

Tagesspiegel were equally sceptical, describing Götze and Schürrle as “two players who have played out their careers in the conditional.”

“Who’s going dictate play from the back like Hummels?” continued SZ, “who’s going to run the midfield like the underrated Gündoğan? Who will replace Mkhitaryan’s silky skills?”

The answer may have come on Friday as 19-year-old Ousmane Dembélé inspired his new teammates to a 4-1 win over Manchester United in Shanghai. “BVB have their way with United!” exclaimed Sportbild. “Dream goals!” added BILD with reference to the wonder strikes from Dembélé and Gonzalo Castro, “Dortmund blast Mourinho away!”


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The result sent minor shockwaves through Germany. “Dortmund send a clear warning to the Bundesliga – and Götze hasn’t even played yet!” said Focus magazine, “Thomas Tuchel’s team is already a joy to watch.”

The tremors were felt in the offices of Munich’s Tageszeitung, who wrote: “Whilst FC Bayern have only played small opposition so far, BVB have laid down a marker: ‘Look! We can already mix it with the very best!’”

Finally, Manchester United right-back Guillermo Varela has joined Eintracht Frankfurt on loan. The Frankfurter Rundschau said they are excited about the “quick and skilful” Uruguayan.

Back in Italy, Pogba’s club Juventus were involved in transfer activity as they signed Gonzalo Higuain, top scorer in Serie A last season with Napoli, the team who pushed Juventus in the title race. The €94 million fee was an Italian record. In Naples, that meant shirts being burned. At Juventus, it prompted defender Patrice Evra to do a little dance of joy around a table tennis table with his sons.