Football Gossip & Transfer News For July 26, 2016

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Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba’s world record £100m move to Manchester United is being held up by a row over who pays the 23-year-old France international’s agent a £25m fee. (Sun)

Juventus could replace Pogba with Barcelona’s 32-year-old Argentina international Javier Mascherano, who can play in defence and midfield.(Corriere dello Sport – in Italian)

Manchester United are ready to rival Manchester City for the signing of Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci and are willing to pay £50m for the 29-year-old Italy international. (Manchester Evening News)

Liverpool could bring in more than £100m in transfer fees this summer, with £30m-rated Belgium striker Christian Benteke, 25, among those expected to leave. (Daily Mail)

Manchester City believe they would be Lionel Messi’s first choice if he left Barcelona – and a former president of the Spanish giants has claimed there is a “conspiracy” to get rid of the 29-year-old former Argentina forward. (Catalunya Radio, via Manchester Evening News)

Liverpool’s Australia defender Brad Smith, 22, is close to a £6m transfer to Bournemouth. (Goal)

The agent of Kalidou Koulibaly, 25, says the Senegal defender – who interests Chelsea and Everton – intends to leave Serie A side Napoli this summer. (Radio CRC, via Talksport)

Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund have both made offers to 26-year-old Newcastle and France midfielder Moussa Sissoko. (Le 10 Sport, via Daily Star)

Leicester City director of football Jon Rudkin has met the club’s owners to discuss new contracts for five players – goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, 29, defender Danny Simpson, 29, midfielders Danny Drinkwater, 26, and Jeffrey Schlupp, 23, and forward Riyad Mahrez, 25. (Daily Mirror)

Algeria international Mahrez is “not bothered” about speculation linking him with a move to Arsenal, according to team-mate Demarai Gray, 20. (Independent)

Palmeiras’ Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus, 19, who has a minimum fee release clause of £20m, is a target for both Manchester United and Manchester City. (UOL Esporte, via Sun)

Hull City have a five-man shortlist topped by former Everton boss Roberto Martinez as they seek a successor to Steve Bruce. (Guardian)

Former Tigers boss Bruce could quit football after leaving the club to spend more time with his wife at their property in Portugal. (Daily Star)

New £13m Stoke signing Joe Allen, 26, turned down interest from two top European sides and elsewhere in the Premier League to join Mark Hughes’ side. (Stoke Sentinel)

Former Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart, 33, has been linked with a move to Championship side Reading after being told he has no future at Spanish club Real Betis. (Daily Mirror)

Daily Star
“I’ll do it my way,” reads the Daily Star’s back page

New Everton manager Ronald Koeman wants to sign Stoke’s 27-year-old Austria winger Marko Arnautovic. (Sky Sports Austria – in German)

Argentina forward Carlos Tevez, 32, says both Chelsea and Napoli want to bring him back to Europe, but he wants to stay with Boca Juniors.(Gazzetta dello Sport)

Former Tottenham manager Martin Jol says he sent Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho a text message telling him new Stoke signing Ramadan Sobhi, 19, could play for the Red Devils. (Goal)

Sunderland midfielder Liam Bridcutt is keen to join Leeds United. The 27-year-old Scotland international spent time on loan at Elland Road last season. (Yorkshire Evening Post)

Winger Ryan Kent, 19, is the first of a host of youngsters Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp intends to send out on loan next season. (Liverpool Echo)

Bristol City have agreed a deal with Bayern Munich to sign 21-year-old Austrian goalkeeper Ivan Lucic for an undisclosed fee. (Bristol Post)

Tottenham forward Harry Kane found a unique way of breaking his baby news to the world, posting this picture with a tweet that said: “So happy that @KateGoodlandx and I are expecting our first child! Exciting times ahead! Can’t wait!”

Harry Kane
Harry Kane’s dogs break his baby news on Twitter

From one Premier League-winning midfielder to another – Leicester City’s Andy King meets David Beckham…

Andy King

Foxes defender Danny Simpson also enjoyed the chance to meet the former England captain, tweeting: “Absolute pleasure to meet this legend and hold the trophy with him #DavidBeckham”

Following a meeting with his agent Mino Raiola in Miami, Paul Pogba posted this picture on Instagram with the caption “we say it all by saying nothing at all”.

Paul Pogba

Manchester United’s Daley Blind had a message for fans after the club’s pre-season friendly aainst Manchester City was called off. The Netherlands international wrote on Instagram: “It’s time to go back to Manchester, unfortunately the last game was cancelled but thanks for all your support in China.”

After news of his knee injury broke, West Ham defender Aaron Creswell wrote on Twitter: “Absolutely devastated.”

But he got messages of support from his fellows professionals, with team-mate Andy Carroll saying “Stay Strong!! #Gutted.” Norwich City’sMatt Jarvis added: “I hear you. You’ll be back flying in no time at all!”

Chelsea players struggled with some USA-themed questions when their knowledge was put to the test before the club’s pre-season tour. (Metro)