MINO RAIOLA has expressed his intent to bring one of his clients to Real Madrid this summer – but who will it be?
In an interview with Marca, the agent spoke of his admiration for the Spanish giants and regular contact with director Jose Angel Sanchez.
Raiola has touted a client of his could be moving to Madrid this summerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
It comes amid continued speculation that Paul Pogba will soon leave Manchester United with Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland also admired by many.
Raiola said: “I definitely want to take a great player to Real Madrid, and I will try to do so this summer.
“It would be a source of pride for me and my players because Real Madrid is a great club.
“My relationship with Los Blancos is very good. I am in contact with Jose Angel [Sanchez] and I love discussing football with him.”
Here, SunSport details Raiola’s top clients and determines who he could be alluding to…
PAUL POGBA
Raiola has sent Old Trafford into several storms in the past regarding French midfielder Pogba.
Having said the club would “ruin Pele” and that his client is “only committed to until after the [now-postponed] Euros”, tensions are high to say the least.
Indeed, Real Madrid’s admiration of Pogba is also well known – yet Raiola took a different approach in this latest chat.
Pogba is now back in Man Utd training following a long ankle injury lay-offCredit: Getty – Contributor
He remarked: “Paul is going through a tough time. However, let’s be clear, because in England they are very sensitive.
“Pogba is only focusing on bringing a great end to the season with Manchester United.
“He wants to come back into the team and ensure that United can reach the Champions League.”
ERLING HAALAND
The whole world and his dog has learned of Haaland’s goalscoring abilities this season, alerting almost every top club to a potential deal in the process.
With ten goals in eight appearances during his debut Champions League campaign and the same tally in nine outings for new club Borussia Dortmund, many suspect the 19-year-old could be on the move again in the summer.
Reports in Spain indicate Real are yet to make an approach for Haaland but his release clause is set at a relatively diminutive £63million.
Speaking of the Norwegian to Marca, Raiola poured cold water on yet another switch: “Nobody thought that his adaptation to the Bundesliga and the Champions League in a team like Borussia Dortmund would be like that.
“He has a lot to improve yet. He’ll be at Dortmund for as long as he needs to be. It’s true that he is a footballer who is anticipating the stages of growth faster than you might think.
“I don’t think that when he left Salzburg it was the right time, but… I don’t think he’ll be leaving Dortmund this summer.”
GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA
Out of contract in 2021, AC Milan are reportedly set to fight off major interest from Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus for the goalkeeper.
However the latter two clubs are thought to prefer a free transfer at the end of next season – while the Blues eye a £47m deal sooner rather than later.
Real Madrid’s goalkeeping situation is well known to Raiola as his client Alphonse Areola is on loan at the Bernabeu from Paris Saint-Germain, acting as understudy to Thibaut Courtois.
Los Blancos are reportedly open to keeping Areola on a permanent basis – making him perhaps the man Raiola is alluding to – but they too are linked with an approach for Italian star Donnarumma.
MARCO VERRATTI
Playmaker Verratti has made a number of attempts to get out of Paris Saint-Germain over the years but at last appeared settled when penning a new five-year deal in October.
Reports beforehand placed Raiola at the centre of his efforts to leave having signed up with the ‘super-agent’ ahead of the summer of 2017.
Madrid appear to have missed out on midfield ace VerrattiCredit: AFP or licensors
Real Madrid were among the teams interested in Verratti, who was a major target for Manchester United at the time.
However a move this summer seems unlikely, particularly with Fede Valverde emerging as a genuine first-teamer in the LaLiga giants’ ranks.
LORENZO INSIGNE
A tough season for Napoli is set to result in a number of star players leaving, from Kalibou Koulibaly to Dries Mertens.
Club captain Insigne is nevertheless not reportedly among those considering an exit.
Exactly what happens at Stadio San Paolo will depend on their finances and possible qualification for Europe, with new boss Gennaro Gattuso raising the side to sixth in Serie A.
But, either way, 28-year-old forward Insigne is in it for the long haul – recently stating: “Wearing the armband at Napoli doesn’t happen every day. I want to represent the Neapolitans and I hope I’ll wear it for many years.”
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC
He has conquered Paris, Milan, Manchester, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, Turin and, of course, Barcelona.
The prospect of Ibrahimovic ending his career at the Bernabeu is far-fetched to say the least but would be a justifiably iconic move for one of football’s biggest characters.
On a six-month contract at AC Milan, the Swede will turn 39 during next season and will surely call it a day soon.
Yet there is still one club struggling to get its strikers firing who may be in need of an experienced Galactico…
Would Zlatan fancy a Madrid swansong?Credit: Reuters
Mino Raiola to refuse to deal with ‘out of touch’ Man United as they’d ‘ruin Maradona, Pele and Maldini’
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
