Transfer News: Barcelona Plan January Bid for Paul Pogba

The Premier League transfer window might have closed last week but that has not put an end to rumors linking players with a move away from England.

Chief among them is Paul Pogba, who remains firmly on Barcelona's radar. The Spanish giants have been linked with the Frenchman over the last couple of weeks amid speculation he has grown disillusioned with life at Manchester United under Jose Mourinho and their interest is far from over.

Barcelona can sign players until August 31 as the transfer window for Spanish clubs doesn't close until the end of the month. According to The Telegraph, the Catalans have accepted luring Pogba away from Old Trafford this summer might be difficult, but are expected to table a formal offer in January or next summer.

The strategy would resemble the one Barcelona employed last season, when they courted Philippe Coutinho through the summer before eventually signing him from Liverpool in January. Pogba captained United and opened the scoring in their first game of the season on Friday but fueled suggestions he's not happy at the club by saying: "There are things that I cannot say, otherwise I will get fined."

United, meanwhile, are also set to appoint a director of football for the first time in their history after a dismal transfer window. The Guardian believes the new role will be introduced as part of the club's internal restructuring and comes after a summer during which Mourinho was openly critical of United's lack of signings.

Across town, Manchester City have no such problems but Pep Guardiola has urged the club to tie Raheem Sterling to a new deal. The England international, who scored in City's 2-0 win overArsenal on Sunday, has developed into a star under Guardiola but is entering the final two years of his deal and City's offer is yet to match his demands.

The Telegraph believes Guardiola has spoken to the club's hierarchy to convince them to meet the player's financial expectations.

Elsewhere, the Daily Mirror reports that Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has ensured David Luiz he has a key role to play this season. The Brazilian was frozen out by Antonio Conte last season but is expected to feature prominently under Sarri instead.

If David Luiz remains integral to the Italian's plans, Tiemoue Bakayoko has instead been deemed surplus to requirements. The Frenchman, who joined from Monaco for $51 million last summer, is on the verge of completing a move to AC Milan.

According to Sky Sports, after days of negotiations the two clubs have finally agreed a season-long loan with an option for a permanent worth around $44.6 million next summer. Staying in Italy, meanwhile, The Sun believes Napoli are interested in signing Simon Mignolet from Liverpool.

The Belgian has fallen down the pecking order at Anfield after the arrival of Alisson this summer and could move to the Serie A, while Turkish club Besiktas have made a bid for Loris Karius, who finds himself in the same circumstances.