Chelsea and Arsenal are ready to spend hundreds of millions on new signings this summer but a ‘very gifted’ free agent could be an ideal addition to both squads.
Stamford Bridge owner Todd Boehly has already spent around £60m on new recruits this summer, bringing the likes of Liam Delap and Mamadou Sarr to the club.
Chelsea are set to splash more cash on a new winger and are open to strengthening Enzo Maresca’s squad in other areas following a promising finish to the 2024-25 campaign.
Arsenal have endured a subdued start to the summer transfer window but are expected to spend around £70m on a new striker, likely Viktor Gyokeres or Benjamin Sesko.
The Gunners are also set to sign Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi in a £55m deal from Real Sociedad as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster a squad that went another season without a trophy.
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Chelsea and Arsenal will both be on high alert to the possibility of signing free agents this summer and could do a lot worse than sign ex-Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba.
That is the opinion of ex-Premier League winger Florent Malouda, who believes Pogba should be pushing for a return to England.
The French World Cup winner, 32, is seeking a return to football after serving an 18-month doping suspension.
Pogba agreed a mutual termination of his contract with Juventus in November and has been free to talk to other clubs since March.
Monaco are leading the race to sign the talented midfielder but Malouda fears a move to the Ligue 1 side would be a mistake and wants his compatriot to join Chelsea or Arsenal instead.
‘I’ve seen the talk of Paul Pogba to Monaco and I don’t think it’s the right move for him,’ Malouda told Bet365.
‘I think Chelsea need an experienced player and Pogba has won the World Cup, the Europa League and knows the Premier League so well.
‘I think he belongs in the Premier League. Honestly, I think he belongs in the Premier League.
Could Paul Pogba return to Man Utd?
‘If he manages to get his fitness right that is the first step, people underrate him because he has been away, but he would bring leadership.
‘He is hoping to lead France at the World Cup and I think a team like Chelsea or Arsenal should try and sign him, he is a very gifted player.
‘He has a great mindset, he has been resilient in his career and in his private life, he will want to get to the top and his experience would be so valuable.
‘All he does is overcome challenges and with Chelsea, I think he could adjust very well to their dressing room.’
Manchester United have been repeatedly urged to re-sign Pogba since his exit from Juventus was confirmed, with Rio Ferdinand among those raising the possibility of a third spell at Old Trafford.
United re-signed Pogba from Juventus in 2016 for a then-record transfer fee of £89m, but the Frenchman largely underwhelmed in Manchester before being released in 2022.
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