Manchester United Are Eyeing Spurs’ Record $74M Signing As Pogba’s Replacement: Report

Manchester United are reportedly eyeing Tanguy Ndombele, who Tottenham Hotspur signed at a club-record fee of $74 million in 2019, as Paul Pogba’s replacement.

Ndombele, who joined Spurs from Lyon, initially tasted success under Mauricio Pochettino. But the arrival of Jose Mourinho saw the Frenchman fall down the pecking order of Spurs. While Spurs chief Daniel Levy is looking to sell the midfielder, the Red Devils are monitoring Ndombele’s contract situation at the North London club, reported Italian publication Calciomercato.

The 24-year-old Ndombele has so far managed only eight goals and as many assists at Spurs in 77 matches, across all competitions. Last season, he scored six goals and four assists in 46 competitive appearances for the Spurs. In the ongoing campaign, the central midfielder has featured in just two games.

Manchester United are keen on retaining Pogba, who is experiencing his best-ever start in the Premier League, assisting seven goals in five matches for the Red Devils. Pogba has just one year left on his current contract and is yet to sign an extension.

Solskjaer has arguably one of the fiercest attacks at present across Europe and Pogba is an integral part of it, along with Bruno Fernandes, Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood.

While Pogba has been long-time linked with Real Madrid and Juventus, he is also believed to be a target of FC Barcelona as the Catalans are looking to re-build post the Lionel Messi era.

It has been reported that in order to convince Pogba to sign an extension, Manchester United are preparing to make the midfielder the highest-paid player in the Premier League on a deal worth more than $547,000-a-week.

Apart from Ndombele, Manchester United also have eyes on AC Milan’s Frank Kessie as an ideal option as Pogba’s replacement, according to Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo.

Coincidentally, Pogba had earlier hinted that he wanted the Red Devils to sign his France national teammate Kessie.

"Very very good. He's not a boy, he's a man. It was a pleasure to play next to him. He brings a lot of energy. He has a lot of energy, extraordinary technical and physical quality. I hope to play plenty of games together and to always be on his side," Pogba said in an interview.