Paul Pogba hails Man Utd transfer target Aurelien Tchouameni and wishes he could ‘always’ play with Monaco starlet

PAUL POGBA wants to "always" play with Manchester United target Aurelien Tchouameni after the "extraordinary" Monaco starlet shone alongside him in France's midfield.

Chelsea and United were linked with 21-year-old Tchouameni last month before he won his first three full caps in the current international break.

And Pogba raved about the 6ft 2ins all-round ace.

The former Juventus hero told French radio station, RTL that Tchouameni "brings a lot of energy, extraordinary technical and physical quality".

Pogba, 28, added: "He’s not a boy, he’s a man. "It’s a pleasure to play next to him.

"We wish him to play a lot more games and that I am always by his side."

Tchouameni's progress and profile have soared since joining Monaco from Bordeaux in January 2020 for £17million in a four-and-a-half-year deal.

Chelsea and United appeared to top the list of his admirers in August.

But in the end Blues' boss Thomas Tuchel opted to bring in Atletico Madrid's Spain anchorman Saul Niguez on loan.

And West Ham's Declan Rice is understood to remain United's "dream" No6.

Ironically Chelsea have been monitoring the 22-year-old just as closely.

Meanwhile, Jesse Lingard could finally depart Old Trafford this summer after a decade.

Rice's England team-mate is tipped to reject a new United deal.

Lingard revived his career on loan with the Hammers last season.

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But after the 28-year-old reportedly ruled out a return last month, West Ham coach Stuart Pearce has now said: "He's missed the opportunity to leave United in this transfer window.

"I think he’s too good a player to be sat on the outside of it not playing and he’s at an age where he needs to be playing."

"He can reassess his situation come January once again and decide whether there’s an opportunity to move clubs. He holds the cards."