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Man Utd boss Solskjaer told to hold transfer talks with Woodward over two players
MANCHESTER UNITED are “running out of time” to sell Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku, according to former England boss Sam Allardyce.
The futures of Paul Pogba and Lukaku are currently up in the air, with the former keen to leave the club this summer.
Italian giants Inter Milan are keen on signing Lukaku and are understood to be locked in talks to sign the Belgium international.
Real Madrid and Juventus, meanwhile, are eager to snap up Pogba, though they’ll have to meet United’s £135million valuation of the player in order to acquire his services.
United fans will be hoping for a swift resolution to the pair’s respective transfer sagas so the club have ample time to bring in suitable replacements.
But with the transfer window shutting in less than a month’s time, Allardyce believes United’s window of opportunity to cash in on the 26-year-olds is rapidly closing,
During an appearance on talkSPORT, Allardyce said: “Ole has to go to the owners and say, ‘yes he’s definitely one we want to keep’, or, ‘no it would be better for us all at Manchester United if you get the money for him and spend it elsewhere’. But they’re running out of time.
“Don’t forget, our window shuts on August 8 whereas in Europe it doesn’t – it’s daft.
“So nobody will be able to sell anybody in the Premier League after August 8, they’ll be mad to do so otherwise as it would put their whole season in jeopardy.
They’re running out of time
“Once it shuts on August 8, it’s shut. January is a long way off and your position can be in jeopardy almost straight away if you pick up a couple of really serious injuries to your top players in your first month.”
Pogba revealed his desire to leave United at an Adidas event in Tokyo last month, saying: Like you said, there is a lot of talking and a lot of thinking as well.
“For me, I have been for three years in Manchester and have been doing great; some good moments and some bad moments, like everybody. Like everywhere else.
"After this season and everything that happened this season, with my season being my best season as well.
“I think for me it could be a good time to have a new challenge somewhere else. I am thinking of this: to have a new challenge somewhere else."
The France international’s agent - Mino Raiola - is hopeful of securing the World Cup winner a move away from Old Trafford and believes Manchester United should grant his wish to leave the club.
“The player [Pogba] has done nothing wrong,” Raiola said during an appearance on talkSPORT. “He has been respectful and professional in every way and always. he club has known his feeling for a long time.
“It is a shame other people only like to criticise without the right information, and I am also sorry that the club does not take any position against this.
"Hopefully there will be soon a satisfying solution for all parties.”
Lukaku has remained tight-lipped on his future but did reveal his eagerness to play in Serie A in April.
Playing in Serie A is a dream, it would be really a dream,” he told Sky Italia.
"I hope to be able to play sooner or later, even if at the moment I am focused on the United."