Real Madrid line up Bale-Pogba swap for January, Guardiola may be close to City exit

Real Madrid to swap Gareth Bale for Paul Pogba and Pep Guardiola may leave Manchester City next summer.

Manchester United are set to seal a switch for Gareth Bale, according to the Sun. The paper reports that Real Madrid are interested in Paul Pogba, though United might resist any move until the summer. That would in turn postpone Bale’s transfer to Old Trafford, though some believe that United will want to sign him in January to rescue their dreadful season. 

***: Bale was rejected by United because he does not fit what Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants in his side. So far they have identified Braut Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho, who are both 19, while Bale is 30 and increasingly injury prone. Getting rid of Pogba would give United a large sum to reinvigorate their midfield, but that is the kind of transfer that may have to wait until the summer. 

Guardiola may be close to City exit 

There is speculation in the Mirror that Pep Guardiola may already be in his final season at Manchester City. The report claims that Guardiola’s contract runs until 2021, but may have a break clause that allows him to leave a year early. That speculation has intensified with his wife’s return to Barcelona, and the suggestion that he could be in line for a return to Bayern Munich. 

***: Guardiola has never stayed too long at a single club, and a return to Bayern does seem unlikely given the strain on his relationship with some at the German club. However, it has been years since his last Champions League triumph and it would make sense for him to stay at the Etihad and use the unlimited funds to secure another European trophy.