Three players Manchester United could demand in Paul Pogba swap deals

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So it looks like Paul Pogba’s spell at Manchester United is coming to an end.

Mino Raiola told Tuttosport his client wants to move on, and it is hardly worth keeping him around when that is the case.

Pogba’s expiring contract leaves United in a poor position financially, with 18 months left on his current deal.

So rather than be pushed into a potentially disappointing £50 to 60 million outright sale, United could try to engineer a swap deal, either total or player plus cash.

Considering the high calibre of player at Europe’s top clubs, United have a few strong options to try to land in swap deals.

Here is a look at three players who United could demand as part of Pogba negotiations…

Cristiano Ronaldo

Let’s go big right away. The ‘bring Ronaldo back to Old Trafford’ campaign starts here.

While this would be an almost impossible deal to conclude mid-season, it would be worth the wait until next summer.

Juventus could look for a way out of Ronaldo’s big contract by moving him on, and United would gratefully bring him home.

It would be silly on United’s part at least not to enquire about the option.

Rodrigo Bentancur

Juventus have an abundance of midfielders who would see their game time challenged by Pogba’s arrival.

The best available would be Uruguayan midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, who starred for Juventus at Old Trafford two seasons ago.

The 23-year-old has only made four Serie A starts this season and Juventus may be prepared to sacrifice him to land Pogba.

Raphael Varane

How badly do Real Madrid really want Paul Pogba? The answer to this remains uncertain.

There could be a mutual solution in an exchange of French international teammates.

Varane’s contract expires in 2022, the same as Pogba’s. United need a centre-back, and a swap deal would ensure Real still have cash available to pursue other targets.

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