A Team For The Price Of Paul Pogba!

on July 25, 2016 at 11:11 am

It looks like Manchester United are going to have to smash the world transfer record to land Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, with a total outlay of £108m widely reported.

Here’s a FULL TEAM that have transferred this summer for roughly the same total cost!

Goalkeeper – Loris Karius (£4.7m)

Eyebrows were raised last week when Liverpool signed 39-year-old goalkeeper Alex Manninger. However, it’s another new boy who could become the new Anfield number one. Manninger himself has hailed Loris Karius as ‘one of the best modern goalkeepers in Europe’. The former Mainz shot-stopper has impressed in recent seasons in the Bundesliga and the error-prone Simon Mignolet will surely be nervous about losing his starting berth following Karius’ arrival.

Left-Back – Raphael Guerreiro (£10m)

The 22-year-old impressed during Portugal’s triumphant Euro 2016 campaign and was swiftly snapped up by Borussia Dortmund for around €12m from Lorient. Barcelona were also reportedly interested in the versatile left-sided defender, who can also play in a more attacking role.

Central Defenders – Samuel Umtiti (£21m) & Marc Bartra (£6.5m)

It’s certainly been an eventful summer for Umtiti, who made his debut for France in the Euro 2016 quarter-final against Iceland just days after signing for Barcelona from Lyon.

Meanwhile, Barca said farewell to Marc Bartra who signed for Borussia Dortmund after winning five La Liga titles with the Catalan giants. Bartra will be required to fill a Mats Hummels-shaped hole in Dortmund’s defence, having seen his opportunities limited under Luis Enrique at the Nou Camp.

Right-Back – Thomas Meunier (£6m)

Belgium’s full-back positions have been deemed their weak links in recent years and although Meunier didn’t exactly have a satisfactory Euro 2016, he was certainly not alone amongst a disappointing Belgian side who bowed out meekly to Wales. However, it hasn’t stopped Paris Saint-Germain shelling out £6m for the right-back who was also sought after by Napoli and West Ham.

Right Midfield – Nani (£7m)

The newly-crowned European champion was unfairly deemed a flop at Manchester United, leaving England last summer having won three Premier League titles and the Champions League. His record of 49 Premier League assists is the same as Dennis Bergkamp’s, who played double the amount of league games. Whisper it quietly, but this assist record also surpasses those of United legends David Beckham and, yes, Ronaldo. His £7m capture by Valencia represents a shrewd piece of business after an impressive Euro 2016

Central Midfielders – Victor Wanyama (£11m) & Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (£12.8m)

Southampton’s annual exodus was kicked off this summer with the departure of Victor Wanyama, who has hooked up again with former Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham.

However, the South Coast club have an impressive record of ably replacing poached talent and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could prove a capable replacement for the Kenyan. Hojbjerg found his first-team chances limited at star-studded Bayern Munich but Pep Guardiola has likened the young Dane to Sergio Busquets.

Left Midfielder – Viktor Fischer (£3.8m)

Middlesbrough have been busy in the transfer market following their promotion and the signing of Viktor Fischer may prove to be their most astute move.

The Danish international is still only 22 but made over 100 appearances for Ajax, winning two Eredivisie titles in the process.

Strikers – Ousmane Dembele (£12.5m) & Nolito (£13m)

Manchester United were given a glimpse of Ousmane Dembele’s talent last week when the young Frenchman scored a stunning solo goal against them for his new side Borussia Dortmund. Dembele was one of Europe’s hottest properties and was voted France’s best young player last season.

Nolito became one of Pep Guardiola’s first signings at Manchester City, when they triggered his £13m release clause at Celta Vigo. The striker, who started all four of Spain’s matches at Euro 2016, reportedly snubbed former club Barcelona to sign for City after impressing for Celta in recent seasons.