Gossip: Paul Pogba heading back to Juventus, Welbeck to leave on a free?

Somebody has just informed the Mill that we are halfway through a full schedule of midweek Premier League fixtures, but we all know how success and failure are really measured. They’re tallied up by sensational tittle-tattle like the following: roaring commercial success Paul Pogba is in the sights of Juventus, his former employers, who would quite nakedly like to get him playing football again. “A return?” queried the Juve sporting director Fabio Paratici. “We have discussed that many times.”

Those who feel passionate about sports brands – and who doesn’t? – will be giddy at the suggestion that Zlatan Ibrahimovic, that mind-alteringly hilarious old wag, could be on his way back to Milan. Serie A appears intent on partying like it’s, errm, 2012 so a string of uproarious social media memes and crowd-pleasing affectations might just be what the Rossoneri obsessive in your life gets for Christmas this year. The move from LA Galaxy might even be sealed before that, according to reports.

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Are Manchester City about to raid the Championship? There is more than one suggestion that Jack Clarke, the 18-year-old Leeds winger, may soon be coming to a sleekly-produced behind-the-scenes documentary near you.

There is less certainty around the future of Danny Welbeck, who has endured rotten luck with injuries and will apparently find himself without a club at the end of this season – regardless of his recovery from a broken ankle. He’ll make a decent free transfer punt for someone. Arsenal might fill the void in their attack with Cengiz Ünder, the exciting Roma forward, who has been linked repeatedly for several days now.

Another player in the Gunners’ sights is Junior Firpo, a Real Betis full-back with a keen eye for goal. Crystal Palace and Newcastle have also been watching closely, though, and might be more attractive options if they can offer an instant place in the team. Manchester City are believed to be sniffing too, although that seems a slightly longer shot.

Paris Saint-Germain are in crisis after dropping points at the weekend. Who are they going to call? Young Ajax star Frenkie de Jong, if Kylian Mbappé has anything to do with it. The World Cup winner says De Jong would be “enormous for us” although Barcelona are said to be at the head of a very long queue. A fee of £66m, would supposedly get somebody their man.

Another youngsters making a – rather cheaper – move could be Everton’s Kieran Dowell. Steven Gerrard has his eyes on the blue half of Merseyside as he seeks a loan move for the playmaker, who he believes would add impetus to Rangers’ sensational tilt at the title.