Soccer

Paul Pogba wants to leave but Manchester United want €100m

Juventus and Real Madrid are both interested but will not pay such a high fee

Paul Pogba of Manchester United waves to the fans at full time during the Premier League match against Newcastle on St Stephen’s Day. Photo: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

Fabrizio Romano
Fri Feb 14 2020 - 09:50

Paul Pogba wants to leave Manchester United in the summer but his chances of securing a swift exit are likely to be hampered by the club setting an asking price of around €100m (£83m).

Juventus remain interested in re-signing the midfielder and Real Madrid also have him on their radar but both clubs consider such a fee too high for a player who has been largely underwhelming at United since he rejoined in 2016.

Pogba is convinced a move would be in everyone’s best interests and his agent, Mino Raiola, said on Thursday night that the player would like to return to Juventus. Raiola will try to convince United to lower their demands, especially as Pogba will have only one year remaining on his contract after this season.

Raiola, addressing a possible move to Juventus, who signed Pogba on a free in 2012 after his United deal expired and sold him back for €110m, said: “Pogba feels at home in Italy. Italy is like his second home or family, same for [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic. That’s why Paul would like to come back to Juventus.

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“But we’ll go to speak about that just after Euro 2020. Pogba wants to play at the best levels always ... but he can’t escape Manchester United now, in this moment where the club is not having a good period.”

Pogba has played only eight times for United this season because of injury and not at all since St Stephen’s Day but is understood to be close to full fitness. The club hope a strong finish to the season from the 26-year-old and an impressive showing for France at Euro 2020 will strengthen their hand regarding a fee.

Raiola intends to hold talks with United in the spring to ascertain their plans for a contract extension and may at that point notify the club of Pogba’s intention to leave if any offer does not meet his expectations. – Guardian