Liverpool have reportedly joined Real Madrid in the race to sign Paul Pogba on a Bosman move if he runs down his Manchester United deal.
According to Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur, Liverpool have emerged as shock contenders to sign Paul Pogba on a free transfer in next summer’s transfer window. The 28-year-old is in the final year of his contract with Manchester United, with Real Madrid also keen on signing him.
Paul Pogba is currently in his second spell with Manchester United, having rejoined the club from Juventus in the summer of 2016. Over the last five years, the Frenchman has blown hot and cold throughout, although he has arguably been the Red Devils’ best performer in 2021, changing the face of a game on his own on multiple occasions.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner also started the season strongly, laying on four assists in the season’s very first game. And while Pogba has recently gone off the boil much like the rest of the Manchester United players, his tally for the season still reads an impressive seven assists in 12 games.
However, Manchester United are in a precarious position over Pogba’s long-term future, seeing as he is set to enter the final six months of his contract with the club at the turn of the year, when he will be able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs. And there is no shortage of interest in the 28-year-old, with Real Madrid and Liverpool among his suitors.
??Real Madrid wants to start contract discussions with ??Pogba in January and make a preliminary protocol before any other club.
??Jürgen Klopp is also considering Paul Pogba transfer as Milner or Thiago's replacement.#LFC #HalaMadrid #MUFC
?VOLE?
? https://t.co/FGB5A8DzJX pic.twitter.com/ARu0GbvgzN— Ekrem KONUR (@Ekremkonur) October 28, 2021
Real Madrid hold a long-standing interest in Pogba, having also attempted to sign him before he rejoined Manchester United five years ago. The interest has not waned much, though, with recent reports claiming Real Madrid are confident of snapping Pogba up. The eagerness to sign the player makes sense, considering Luka Modric is in the twilight of his career while Toni Kroos is in his thirties.
On the other hand, Liverpool are the latest entrants in the race to sign Pogba, with their interest coming as a shock. While Pogba will certainly be a handy addition to the first-team setup at Anfield, his storied history with Manchester United might prevent the Reds from landing him. In addition, the fact that Real Madrid can begin negotiations with him from January, unlike them, is also a major disadvantage.
Some reports last month had claimed that Pogba was ready to commit his future to Manchester United. However, with the dynamics changing massively at Old Trafford in the wake of their recent run of results, it might not be too surprising if Pogba decides to run down his contract and embark on a new adventure next summer.
With that in mind, Liverpool and Real Madrid ought to fancy their chances of snapping him up, with the latter at an advantage in his pursuit. Recent developments suggest that Manchester United are open to losing Pogba for free next summer but will not cash in on the Frenchman in January, meaning a summer exit is the likeliest outcome as things stand.
