Paul Pogba, who may be on the move from Juventus this summer, could favour La Liga giants Real Madrid over Manchester United.
Pogba has long been linked with a move away from Turin this summer, and Manchester United and Real Madrid have been the two clubs that have been leading the race to sign the Frenchman. However, in a recent revelation, Pogba’s father Fassou Antoine Pogba has said that a move to Real Madrid could turn out to be “interesting” for his family.
“For the family it [a move to Real Madrid] would be interesting,” said Pogba Sr. in an interview with Spanish TV channel Cuatro [via AS], when asked if his son is moving to the Spanish capital. “What we want, is that he play in the best league. He decides.”
In fact, Real Madrid manager and former France captain Zinedine Zidane has showered words of praise on his countryman.
“[Paul Pogba] is a great player. Is he a player for Real Madrid? He’s a player for every team, but at this moment he’s a Juventus player and we have to respect that,” Zidane had said last month.
However, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is reportedly not convinced about Pogba’s abilities. According to reports, Perez is not willing to spend more than £60 million for the Juventus midfielder. Juventus though are not prepared to let their prized possession leave Turin cheap and are said to be demanding a transfer fee of £100 million (plus add-ons) for Pogba.
This is where Manchester United have the edge, as recent reports have suggested that newly appointed manager Jose Mourinho is prepared to meet Juventus’ £100 million valuation of the midfielder, in order to bring him back to Old Trafford. The report also suggests that Manchester United are willing to meet Pogba’s £250,000-a-week wage demand.
Do Manchester United have an ace up their sleeve?
Although Manchester United are prepared to meet Juventus’ asking rate and Pogba’s wage demands, the final decision on the move will ultimately rest on the Frenchman.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho will be banking on the influence exerted by Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola, according to The Guardian. The Italian-born Dutch super-agent has built up good relations with Manchester United over the summer with other transfer negotiations, and could play a big role in influencing Pogba to select his next club.
Raiola has already mobilised a free transfer for former PSG talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Manchester United. To add to that, Raiola also represents Borussia Dortmund attacker Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who looks set to join the Red Devils.