Manchester United have reportedly slashed their asking price for midfielder Paul Pogba to £100 million as they look to offload the Real Madrid and Juventus target.
As per a report from The Sun, Manchester United have lowered their transfer fee demand for midfield superstar Paul Pogba as they are ready to sell the Frenchman in the upcoming summer transfer window. The World Cup winner is a transfer target for both Juventus and Real Madrid.
Pogba returned to Manchester United in the summer of 2016 for a club-record transfer fee of £89 million. The midfielder helped the Red Devils to a League Cup and UEFA Europa League triumph in his first season back, but hasn’t been able to live up to the expectations consistently since.
Pogba has endured an injury-riddled 2019-20 campaign, making just eight appearances in all competitions. There have been questions asked of the midfielder’s desire after he demanded a transfer away from Manchester United last summer. More so, considering that he has been spotted shooting hoops and dancing at his brother’s wedding, during his injury layoff.
There had been reports claiming that the World Cup winner had a change of heart and was keen on extending his stay at Manchester United after the club’s recent 11-game unbeaten streak. However, The Sun has dismissed those claims as false and instead has reported that Pogba is intent on parting ways with the 20-time English champions this summer.
Contrary to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s claims, Manchester United too, are keen on offloading the 27-year-old and to that end, have decided to slash their asking price to £100 million from the £180 million that they were demanding for the midfielder last summer. This development should be music to the ears of Real Madrid and Juventus, both of whom are interested in signing Pogba.
Real Madrid were heavily linked with Pogba last summer, with manager Zinedine Zidane being a known admirer of his compatriot. The Merengues haven’t been all that consistent this season and should look to revamp their midfield ahead of next season, especially with Luka Modric turning 35 in September and James Rodriguez set to be shipped out of the club.
Juventus have been monitoring Pogba’s progress ever since he left them to return to Manchester United. The Bianconeri have a loaded midfield department, but with the likes of Sami Khedira and Blaise Matuidi not getting any younger and the rest of the options, barring Miralem Pjanic, not performing consistently enough, it makes sense that they would turn to someone like Pogba.
Pogba will be entering the final year of his current contract with Manchester United in the summer, although the club has the option of extending it by another twelve months. While Solskjaer has reiterated that the club intends to hold on to Pogba, the 27-year-old’s agent Mino Raiola has continued to talk up an exit for his client.
With both Real Madrid and Juventus heavily interested, coupled with the reduced transfer fee that is likely to be demanded by Manchester United, a summer move seems more and more likely for Pogba as things stand.
