7M Weekly - Pogba confirmed United switch

Posted Sunday, August 07, 2016 by 7M Sport

Welcome to 7M Weekly!

When will Pogba's transfer drama come to an end? This may be the hottest topic in the transfer world last week. Now it seems to turn into a gradually clear confirmation that this French international would return to Old Trafford. But at the same time, Real Madrid also intervene in this move. Let's wait and see what will happen before the close of transfer window this summer.

* Who would fill Arsenal captain's absence

Let's pin our eye on the transfer market this week. There have been rumors surrounding Arsenal after their defensive key point, Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker suffered a knee injury in a friendly match against Lens. And it's reported that this Germany giant would be absent for 5 months to find back his fitness. Frustrated by such a sudden blow, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was urgent to fill the void left by Per Mertesacker's sideline. Currently the Gunners' target is Valencia 24-year-old central defender Shkodran Mustafi. This talented Germany has proved himself with the spell at Sampdoria and then Valencia. According to Dailymail, Mustafi made the second most interceptions in La Liga last season with 133. Such a remarkable performance would sparkle interest on Arsene Wenger, because Shkodran Mustafi's active movement and multi-field play could reinforce the defensive line which is mainly sustained by only 1 experienced defender - Gabriel Paulista. In consideration of Calum Chambers' inefficiency and Rob Holding's inexperience, Arsenal do need a defender who played regularly in some seasons and knew how to sew up a consolidated defensive line with pace and skill. So it looks like this Shkodran Mustafi transfer would make the count.

* Manchester United's rumor with Pogba sets to confirm

7M Weekly - Pogba confirmed United switch

And Manchester United's rumor with their former abandoned player, Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, continues to turn into a gradually clear confirmation. It's reported that this former Red Devil genius would soon see his way back to the Old Trafford. Many sport headlines predicted that Pogba would be the first player who surpasses the £100m mark. However, Manchester United are not alone in this record-breaking courtship. Another giant club Real Madrid also showed their olive branch to this over-heated Frenchman. Los Blancos' manager confirmed Real Madrid had entered the race to wrap up this deal despite an over £100m financial burden.

* Done deals in other clubs

Some deals have been done this week: Manchester City signed Schalke 04's midfielder Leroy Sane with a €55m clause. This Germany youngster scored 8 goals and provided 6 assists last season; Premier League champions Leicester City continue to reinforce their winning line-up by signing Poland midfielder Bartosz Kapustka with a 5-year deal; And AC Milan welcomed Paraguay's international player Gustavo Gomez, who would fill in the vacancy created by defenders Philippe Mexes and Rodrigo Dias's departure.

Liverpool 2 - 0 AC Milan：It has almost been 10 years since their last meeting, but this time they played each other in a friendly. Either of them have ruled themselves out of the European competition following a woeful campaign domestically last season. And the Reds' performance in this game brought us back to 2005 when a brave Liverpool recovered from a 3-0 deficit to draw the Red & Blacks within 6 minutes.

Paris Saint Germain 4 - 0 Leicester City：It was one of the International Champions Cup game. Edinson Cavani opened the scoring through a penalty in the 26th minute, and Nanitamo Jonathan extended their lead just before the break. In the second half, substitutes Marcelinho and Odsonne Edouard added two more goals for the French Champions.

Melbourne Victory FC 1 - 0 Atletico de Madrid：The Australian side upset the second-string Atletico Madrid at Simonds Stadium thanks to a delightful strike from Nicholas Ansell in the 44th minute.

Manchester United 0 - 0 Everton：A testimonial game kicked off this week when Wayne Rooney's United played against Everton. The England captain played for only 2 clubs in his career, and the Toffees is one of them, which makes a rewarding game. Although the 30-year-old couldn't find the back of the net in this game, he is believed to have a bright future after Zlatan was brought in——when he was paired with a superstar in attack, like Ruud van Nistelrooy, Cristiano Ronaldo and Robin van Persie, he always caught the eyes with fine performances.

Viking FK 0 - 8 Arsenal：It was a perfect night for Arsenal and it proved to be too easy for them as the Gunners trashed their Norwegian rivals by 8-0, with both Campbell and Alex Iwobi scoring two goals.

Liverpool 4 - 0 Barcelona：The first goal was scored by Sadio Mane. The £34m summer signing was definitely the man of the match as Klopp's side demolished the Cantalan side 4-0.

* Ranieri not given a new BMW as title-winning reward

Leicester's owners gave 18 brand-spanking new BMWs to the players as one of their rewards for lifting the Premier League trophy last season. However, not even one of them was for their gaffer Claudio Ranieri. The Italian will not drive a 100k pounds car, but he took his misfortune in a quite light-hearted fashion.

"There is some gift? Only for them? Not for me? Unbelievable! I want to speak to my owner!".

We are so familiar with Ranieri's typically humorous reaction from last season. If the Foxes keep producing amazing football, people may hear this kind of jokes more often.

* Rooney and son caught laughing at Depay on United bench

7M Weekly - Pogba confirmed United switch

Wayne Rooney and his son Kai Rooney couldn't hold back the giggle after watching an embarrassing overhead kick attempted by team-mate Memphis Depay. This is our take on Depay's poor performance in last season as well!

* Pixie Lott rocks West Ham kit

7M Weekly - Pogba confirmed United switch

The Hammers boast a few celebrity fans but none comes close to Pixie Lott. The 25-year-old singer was sporting a personalized West Ham shirt as she left the Theater Royal Haymarket. It seems that not every West Ham fan only drools over Dmitri Payet's free-kick prowess, isn't it?

* FifPro member claims Mourinho 'deserves jail' for Schweinsteiger treatment

According to a FifPro union member, Jose Mourinho deserves jail time for his treatment of Bastian Schweinsteiger. Schweinsteiger has been condemned to the reserve team in recent weeks after the Portuguese started working with his new squad this summer.

* Bauza appointed as Argentina coach

Sao Paulo have confirmed that Edgardo Bauza will leave the Brazilian side and replace Gerardo Martino as Argentina coach. Shortly after the end of the 2016 Copa America, Martino resigned from the manager post. Bauza has taken Sao Paulo to Copa Libertadores' semi-finals this year, and he also has led Liga de Quito and San Lorenzo to their first-ever Copa triumphs.

* Menez suffered bloody ear injury

7M Weekly - Pogba confirmed United switch

Jeremy Menez suffered a terrible ear injury in his Bordeaux debut. In the second half of Bordeaux's friendly against Lorient, Menez's head was trodden by Lorient midfielder Didier Ndong, which left part of Menez's right ear cut off. Bordeaux confirmed that Menez may require surgery to heal his ear.

* Messi failed to make Top 3 for UEFA Best Player award

Lionel Messi has been ruled out of the Top 3 UEFA best players for the 2015-16 season, with Real Madrid duo Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, and France striker Antoine Griezmann in the running. The winner will be announced on August 25.