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Manchester United and Manchester City battle for Swansea starlets Harlan Perry and Brogan Popham - Paper Round
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Published 06/10/2024 at 08:19 GMT+1
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Manchester United and Manchester City are ready to face off for Swansea City teenagers Harlan Perry and Brogan Popham, while Juventus are considering the return of midfielder Paul Pogba from a doping ban. Elsewhere, Erik ten Hag’s son has seen questions raised at Old Trafford, and the European transfer system is in doubt after a recent ruling regarding Lassana Diarra.
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City and United go head-to-head for teenagers
The Mirror reports that Manchester City and Manchester United are both interested in two Swansea City teenagers.
They are keen on 16-year-old Harlan Perry and 17-year-old Brogan Popham, with neither on professional terms.
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 consider Pogba future
Juventus manager Thiago Motta is considering the future of midfielder Paul Pogba, who could be back next year.
His four-year doping ban has been reduced to 18 months, meaning he will be allowed to return to training in January.
The Athletic reports: “Juventus head coach Thiago Motta says the club will “evaluate” the future of Paul Pogba after the midfielder’s 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.”
Questions asked over Ten Hag’s son
The Daily Mail writes that the presence of Erik ten Hag’s son Nigel at a players agency used by Manchester United raised questions at the club.
Nigel ten Hag works at Sports Entertainment Group, with some of their players joining United during the Dutchman’s time in charge.
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.”
Football transfer shock rumbles on
The Sun is the latest paper to look at potential clouds on the horizon for clubs in Europe.
A recent ruling regarding Lassana Diarra has led to questions over the potential introduction of a trade system seen 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.”
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