Juventus are reportedly the frontrunners in the race to capture Manchester United and France midfielder Paul Pogba on a Bosman move at the end of the season.
According to Italian journalist Rudy Galetti, Paul Pogba will leave Manchester United on a free transfer next summer. The Frenchman’s contract expires in June 2022, and despite reports that a new contract could be in the works, he has allegedly dismissed the possibility of extending his stay at Old Trafford.
Juventus are leading the race to sign the Manchester United star, and a potential return to Serie A with Juventus could be on the cards. However, the Turin-based outfit will need to free up space for him in the squad. The Bianconeri are apparently up weighing a lucrative offer of around €12 million plus add-ons to secure the signature of the French international at the end of the current campaign.
Despite his inconsistency, Manchester United want to extend his contract. However, as previously said, the French superstar has remained tight-lipped about his future plans, and his super-agent Mino Raiola kept fueling widespread speculations.
The 28-year-old was benched for Manchester United’s clash against Liverpool but came as a second-half substitute with the game already out of reach. He was sent off for a rash challenge on Naby Keita, compounding United’s misery on their darkest day in recent years as the Red Devils received a 5-0 smashing from their fierce rivals. The World Cup winner is currently serving his three-game suspension.
The unfortunate series of events could prove to be the final nail on the coffin for Pogba’s United career. With Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain interested in signing him, the Frenchman has plenty of suitors. However, he is said to be determined on a return to Juventus.
Pogba spent four years in Turin, where he established himself as a regular at the middle of the park and played some of his best football alongside Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal, earning a slew of trophies before re-signing for Manchester United in 2016. Pogba has a good reputation in Italy, having scored 34 goals and assisted 40 times in 178 games for the Bianconeri across all competitions.
A reunion could work for both parties, with Juventus currently languishing 7th in Serie A for Expected Goals (xG) and 12th for Goal Creating Actions. It would be fair to conclude that Bianconeri are struggling for creativity under the stewardship of new boss Massimiliano Allegri.
Pogba can have his liberal, attacking role in midfield. In Allegri’s system, he would have the license to contribute in attacking play without worrying too much about defensive work. Pairing Pogba alongside a more energetic and defensive-minded Manuel Locatelli may complement very well and can help Juventus to reinstate their dominance in Italian football.
However, for any move to happen, Juventus will need to offload Aaron Ramsey and one of Weston McKennie in order to match Pogba’s wage demands. Real Madrid are understood to be a backup solution, while a move to Paris is not an option for the player. Only time will tell whether Pogba ends up staying at United or secures a move elsewhere.
