Transfer News: Paul Pogba to Barcelona, Thibaut Courtois Set to Leave Chelsea

There are just over 48 hours before the Premier League transfer window slams shut. A number of clubs look set to be desperately scrambling around over the next two days, or else face a five-month wait to add to their squads.

Here, Newsweek guides you through all the rumors and gossip swirling around the league.

Let's begin with Manchester United, who have had a torrid time signing players and could now face a battle to keep Paul Pogba. The midfielder was instrumental in France's World Cup triumph but his agent, Mino Raiola, reportedly wants him to join Barcelona this summer and has offered his client to the Catalans.

According to the Daily Mail, Pogba has given Raiola his blessing to engineer a move away from Old Trafford, while a source quoted by ESPN suggests the Frenchman has grown frustrated with Jose Mourinho's seemingly endless criticism.

The report adds Pogba would consider a move to Barcelona or a return to Juventus, which Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo mentioned on Monday, but United have no intention to sell.

The news comes a day after Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio reported United had rejected an offer from Barcelona, which included a fee of $58 million plus Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes.

If keeping Pogba could prove tricky, signing the defender Mourinho wants seems to be even more complicated. The Daily Mirror reports United will table a final $51.8 million offer for Tottenham Hotspur stopper Toby Alderweireld, but remain reluctant to meet Spurs' $64.8 million asking price.

Mourinho has instructed the club to look for alternatives and both Sky Sports and The Guardian believe Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng is among the names being considered. The German, however, would be a risky signing for United, as he has been beset by injuries over the last few seasons and would in all likelihood be only marginally cheaper than Alderweireld.

United appear to have accepted Leicester City will not sell Harry Maguire, while Everton have moved ahead in the race for Mina. The Colombian defender could be available for around $36 million, but The Telegraph believes Everton face competition from Lyon, who are trying to force themselves into the frame.

While signing Mina might not be as straightforward as Everton would have hoped, the Toffees can console themselves with Bernard, who is on the verge of agreeing terms at Goodison Park.

The Brazil winger was a free agent after leaving Shakhtar Donetsk and The Guardian and the Liverpool Echo claim Everton have beaten Chelsea, West Ham and AC Milan in the race to sign him.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have turned to Jack Butland to replace Thibaut Courtois, after the latter failed to report for pre-season training. According to The Independent, the Blues could sign the Stoke City goalkeeper for an initial fee of $25.9 million, rising to $38.9 million.

Courtois, meanwhile, looks set to force his way out of Chelsea this summer and move back to Spain, even though Real Madrid are yet to meet Chelsea's demands.

Elsewhere in the capital, the London Evening Standard reports Arsenal will consider offers for Danny Welbeck, with Everton, Bournemouth and Southampton among the sides reportedly interested.

Arsenal could also wave goodbye to Lucas Perez, as the BBC suggests West Ham are close to agreeing a deal for the striker, who spent last season on loan with Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna.