REAL MADRID and Juventus have reignited their interest in Manchester United star Paul Pogba.
With the January transfer window now open, the World Cup-winning midfielder has immediately gone back to being at the centre of speculation.
Pogba, 26, looked all-but certain to leave Old Trafford in the summer as he admitted he wanted a “new challenge”.
While the Frenchman – once the world’s most-expensive player at 89million – ultimately stayed, he has missed much of the season with injury.
Pogba has played just twice since September but has now picked up another ankle knock.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said he will have surgery on the injury after being advised by “his people”.
It means he’ll be out for up to another four weeks after missing last night’s 2-0 defeat to Arsenal.
But that won’t deter his suitors who know Pogba wants out, with agent Mino Raiola highly-critical of United in recent weeks.
Should the former Juventus star leave, here are five options Man Utd could consider to replace him…
GEDSON FERNANDES
Age: 20
Current club: Benfica
Estimated value: 34million
FERNANDES is already being linked with a host of Premier League clubs after reports claimed his agent was working on a move in England.
The young midfielder has been largely frozen out at Benfica under boss Bruno Lage.
Fernandes – a two-cap Portugal international – could be just the man to inject some life into the United midfield.
And at just 34m, United would have money left in the bank from any potential Pogba sale to spend elsewhere in their threadbare squad.
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN
Age: 27
Current club: Tottenham
Estimated value: 20million
DANISH superstar Eriksen has fallen out of favour at Spurs, despite his incredible talent.
Valued at around 80m, the playmaker extraordinaire has long been a target of Man Utd.
With his contract running out this summer, Tottenham could opt to cash in now, rather than allow him to leave on a free in July.
Spurs are thought to be willing to accept offers of around 20m for Eriksen, but United will face competition from dozens of European giants.
BOUBAKARY SOUMARE
Age: 20
Current club: Lille
Estimated value: 50million
ONE of the pricier options on the list, Soumare is quickly becoming one of Europe’s most-sought-after stars.
Aged just 20, Soumare has been thriving at the base of the Ligue 1 giants’ midfield – with no fewer than six clubs stating their interest.
The Senegalese star would be just the sort of player to replace Pogba, able to patrol in front of the defence and surge forward when needed.
Wolves have already made a move for Soumare, last summer, but saw a 34m bid rejected, suggesting United will need to hand over closer to the 50m mark.
JAMES MADDISON
Age: 23
Current club: Leicester
Estimated value: 80million
IF United are looking for a ready-made Premier League star who still has his best years ahead of him, they should look no further than Leicester star Maddison.
The England ace has been a playmaking dynamo in the heart of the high-flying Foxes midfield.
Maddison has been a key cog in leading Leicester to second in the Premier League – but has over three years left on his current 50,000-a-week deal in the Midlands.
While boss Brendan Rodgers has categorically ruled out selling Maddison, United know a bid upwards of 80m would be nearly impossible to refuse.
JUDE BELLINGHAM
Age: 16
Current club: Birmingham
Estimated value: 5million
PERHAPS not one for this season, but certainly a star for the future.
Bellingham has been turning heads at Championship side Birmingham – and Solskjaer has regularly sent assistant Mike Phelan to watch him in action.
The Blues will not want to lose their hot prospect England Under-17s international easily.
However, for the right price they would surely not deny Bellingham – who became the club’s youngest-ever scorer with his winner against Stoke earlier this season – a move to the top-flight.
