What Real Madrid and Juventus think about Paul Pogba transfer as Man Utd seek to keep star
MANCHESTER UNITED midfielder Paul Pogba’s future is up in the air and it won’t be resolved any time soon, according to Sky Sports transfer insider Kaveh Solhekol.
Paul Pogba wants to leave Manchester United (Image: GETTY)
Paul Pogba and his agent have made it clear in recent weeks that the Frenchman wants to depart Old Trafford.
The midfielder said in Japan last month that it might be “a good time to have a new challenge somewhere else” while his agent Mino Raiola told The Times last week: “Everyone knows the willingness of Paul to move on.
“We are in the process of that. Everyone knows what the feelings of Paul are. Everyone within the club, from the manager to the owner, knows Paul’s wishes.”
It was suggested that Pogba could even snub the club’s pre-season tour of Australia in order to try and force Manchester United to sell him.
But the France international, who the Red Devils do not want to sell and have priced at £150million, was on board the 17-flight as United get their preparations for the 2019-20 Premier League campaign underway Down Under.
Real Madrid and Juve, who United paid £89m to sign Pogba from three years ago, have been tipped to make moves for the World Cup winner.
But with just 30 days until the transfer window closes for English clubs, no bids have been submitted for the 26-year-old, who was United’s top goalscorer last term.
And according to Solhekol, that is because there is not yet a widespread agreement at Real Madrid that they should seek a big-money deal for Pogba having already spent almost £250m on transfers this summer, including a club-record deal for Eden Hazard from Chelsea that could rise to an eventual £130m.
Paul Pogba has made it known he wants out of Old Trafford (Image: GETTY)
Paul Pogba: Raiola 'laying the groundwork' for exit says expert
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He remains Zinedine Zidane's main transfer target but I'm not sure others at Real Madrid are as keen while Juventus are entirely focused on signing Matthijs de Ligt at the moment
Kaveh Solhekol
Juve, meanwhile, are said to be prioritising the arrival of in-demand Ajax centre-back Matthijs de Ligt.
"Manchester United are still in control of this situation as Paul Pogba has three years left on his contract," Solhekol said on The Transfer Show on Sky Sports News.
"So if they don't want to sell him, they won't and if no one can meet the valuation of £150m he's going to have to remain a United player.
"He remains Zinedine Zidane's main transfer target but I'm not sure others at Real Madrid are as keen while Juventus are entirely focused on signing Matthijs de Ligt at the moment.
"He is simply keeping his options open."
Paul Pogba is currently in Australia on Man United's pre-season tour (Image: GETTY)
Zinedine Zidane wants Paul Pogba at Real Madrid (Image: GETTY)
Paul Pogba could rejoin Juventus, where he would team up with Cristiano Ronaldo (Image: GETTY)
Solhekol did acknowledge though that United fans have gotten to the point where they would prefer to see Pogba sold.
He added: “If you do listen to Manchester United fans at the moment it does seem like it would be difficult for Paul Pogba to play for Manchester United again.
“They are very, very unhappy about the way he has disrespected the club.
“They’re not used to Manchester United players coming out and saying they want to leave Old Trafford.”
