With Mino Raiola dropping the bombshell that Paul Pogba wants to leave Manchester United, we explore what could be the next club for the French midfielder.
Paul Pogba Wants To Leave Manchester United
Agent Raiola’s comments to Tuttosport: “I can say that it’s over for Paul Pogba at Manchester United.
“Paul is unhappy with Man United as he is no longer able to express himself in the way that he would like and as he is expected to. Paul needs a new team, a change of air. He is under contract for the next 18 months and it will expire in the summer of 2022.
“However, I think that the best solution for both Pogba and Man Utd is that he goes in the next transfer window. If not, the Old Trafford club knows that they risk losing him on a free transfer as it is not Paul’s intention to extend his contract.
“Manchester United board know the risk losing Pogba for free given the player has no intention of extending. If somebody does not understand that, then they do not understand football. In any case, let them blame me if Paul leaves”.
Real Madrid
The France World Cup winner has already confirmed his love to play for Real Madrid one day. After beating Ukraine 7-1 in a friendly, Pogba told a press conference: “of course, every footballer would love to play for Real Madrid and dream about that. It’s a dream of mine, so why not one day?”
Pogba re-joined United in 2016 from Juventus for £89 million and has had a turbulent time at Old Trafford ever since. The 27-year old has only made eight Premier League appearances this season and scored for the first time this season on Saturday against West Ham. Since the restart after the coronavirus hiatus, Pogba’s form has dipped significantly and was subsequently dropped to the bench.
Madrid, on the other hand, is having a turbulent time too, and head into a Wednesday’s must-win UEFA Champions League clash with Borussia Monchengladbach needing a win to avoid crashing out at the group stages. In Group B, they currently sit third on seven points with the German side top on eight and Shakhtar Donetsk in second on goal difference. However, Inter Milan in the last place are on five and could leap-frog Madrid if they do not win at the Bernabeu.
Galactico’s manager Zinedine Zidane is a long-term admirer of his compatriot but with his second stint at the helm under scrutiny, it is going to be a show-stopping summer transfer window to see. Zidane’s side is also struggling in the league, six points adrift on arch-rivals Atletico who also have two games in hand. The situation at Barcelona seems to be keeping Zidane out of the limelight.
Due to the pandemic, finances are going to be a trouble for any club from paying a transfer fee to paying personal terms. Madrid will certainly be front-runners for the France international but they won’t be the only ones.
Juventus
The door has never closed for Pogba to return to the team he made his name and still holds an excellent relationship especially with now manager Andrea Pirlo. The 27-year old has not reached the heights at Manchester United that he did at Juventus and with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo at the club, finances could be hard without having to offload quite a few players.
According to trusted transfer news expert, Fabrizio Romano, the Italian club was on the verge of bringing the Manchester United midfielder back to the club before the pandemic wreaked havoc across the world.
Paris Saint-Germain
The French club is the dark horses in this race. As things stand, they have an outside chance of signing Pogba with him choosing both the clubs above before the French champions but in this pandemic situation, they are the most likely to have the funds to sign the 27-year old.
With a move back to his native France and a chance to link up with international teammate Kylian Mbappe, it could be an interesting proposition for Pogba to move to Ligue 1.
For Paris Saint-Germain, it could be the difference in their elusive goal in winning the UEFA Champions League. Their midfield is lacking some attacking impetus whereas at United his attacking role has been taken up by Bruno Fernandes.
United have slapped a huge £150 million price tag on Paul Pogba and only time will tell if interested parties are willing to part ways with that type of cash during this pandemic?
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