Get Newsletter
Notification products, updates
October 6, 2024
Manchester United and Manchester City are set to compete for Swansea City teenagers Harlan Perry and Brogan Popham, while Juventus is considering bringing back midfielder Paul Pogba following his doping ban. Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag’s son has raised some eyebrows at Old Trafford, and the European transfer system faces uncertainty after a recent ruling involving Lassana Diarra.
According to The Mirror, Manchester City and Manchester United are vying for two highly-rated teenage talents from Swansea City. The clubs are showing strong interest in 16-year-old Harlan Perry and 17-year-old Brogan Popham, who have yet to sign professional contracts.
The paper explains: “Manchester United and Manchester City are locking horns for highly-rated Swansea City youth duo Harlan Perry and Brogan Popham.
“Both clubs are understood to have scheduled meetings with the teenage duo’s representatives after registering an interest in their services.
“Wales U17 international Perry, a 16-year-old central midfielder, cannot sign professional terms until he turns 17 in November.
“Meanwhile, the Swans are also facing a fight to keep hold of Welsh U18 central defender Popham, who is understood to have made a strong impression upon scouts. Unlike Perry, Popham has already turned 17 but he is yet to sign a pro deal with the Championship club.”
Juventus manager Thiago Motta is evaluating the future of midfielder Paul Pogba, who could make a return to the squad next year.
His four-year doping ban has been reduced to 18 months, allowing him to return to training as early as January.
The Athletic reports: “Juventus head coach Thiago Motta says the club will “evaluate” Paul Pogba’s future is under review after his four-year ban for failing an anti-doping test was reduced to 18 months on Friday.
“The decision after an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) means Pogba, 31, will be allowed to resume training with Juventus in January, having already served 13 months of the ban.
“Pogba — who last played for Juventus against Empoli on September 3, 2023 — said his ‘nightmare is over’ and he ‘cannot wait to get back on the pitch’ after the reduction of the ban.
“It is yet to be confirmed if Pogba will be re-integrated into the Juventus team. His No. 10 shirt was handed to Turkey international Kenan Yildiz in August 2024.
“Pogba’s Juventus contract runs through to the summer of 2026.”
According to The Daily Mail, Manchester United has been mentioned and concerned about Erik ten Hag’s son, Nigel, ‘s involvement with a players’ agency connected to the club.
Nigel Ten Hag works for Sports Entertainment Group, an agency that has seen several clients join United during Erik Ten Hag’s tenure as manager.
The paper notes: “Prior to the installation of Ineos’ new sporting structure at the club – which oversaw their summer transfer business – club staff had expressed concern over Ten Hag’s son’s potential influence over transfers.
“The United manager’s son, Nigel, is employed by Sports Entertainment Group (SEG) agency as a performance analyst. The group has been heavily involved in transfer business conducted during Ten Hag’s time at the club.
“United sources have previously stressed to Mail Sport that it is not unusual for top clubs to have strong links with particular agencies due to personal relationships formed by their key personnel, which often brings advantages in the transfer market.
“Nigel – who bears a striking resemblance to his dad – has been present at Old Trafford on several occasions and celebrated with Ten Hag after winning the FA Cup at the end of last season.”
The Sun is the latest publication to examine potential challenges looming for clubs across Europe.
A recent ruling involving Lassana Diarra has sparked questions about the potential implementation of a trade system similar to that used in American sports.
The paper writes: “Football has always believed it did not have to follow the American model.
“But if the ramifications of the latest European Court ruling on the game are as claimed by the man who broke the system in the 1990s, we could be entering the Wild West.
“And even if former Chelsea ace Lassana Diarra’s beef with Fifa’s rules was about his right to walk away from Lokomotiv Moscow when they stopped paying him in 2014, the final outcome could well be the end of the current transfer system.
“If clubs cannot demand transfer fees for players who are under contract, then it is all about the package they are offered.
“Either their current club puts so much on the table, with US-style ten-year contracts including massive £100 million-plus loyalty bonuses for seeing out the deal, that the player wants to stay.
“Or they simply jump when a higher bidder knocks on the door. And whichever is the outcome, the players and their agents win.”