Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has reportedly told those close to him that he has his mind set on a return to Old Trafford.
Since leaving Manchester United for Juventus as a free agent in 2012, French midfielder Paul Pogba has emerged as one of the brightest young talents in football. Pogba had an acrimonious departure from Manchester United, after legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson refused to give him the game-time he wanted. His development at Juventus has been rapid, as the Frenchman has guided I Bianconeri to four Serie A titles and a Champions League final.
Pogba has had the opportunity to prosper alongside one of the game’s most masterful playmakers in Andrea Pirlo, who has improved the Frenchman’s passing ability. If reports are to be believed, his days in Turin seem numbered, as a host of top teams including Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United are interested in signing him.
However, in recent weeks all the indicators seem to be pointing towards Pogba returning to Old Trafford, and the influence of his agent Mino Raiola could be decisive. Raiola has already acted as middleman in two of Manchester United’s transfers, as his clients Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan have joined the club this summer.
The super-agent is now trying to get Paul Pogba to Old Trafford as well. According to French publication L’equipe, Raiola was negotiating a possible €80 million transfer for the Juventus midfielder while he was in Manchester for the official unveiling of Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The report also states that Pogba has told his teammates and friends of his intention to join Manchester United this summer.
Paul Pogba would complete the quartet of signings that Jose Mourinho stated he was aiming for in his first press conference as Manchester United manager. The arrivals of striker Ibrahimovic, playmaker Mkhitaryan and defender Eric Bailly from Villarreal have already strengthened the spine of the team, and the possible signing of Pogba could make it indestructible. However, the figure of €80 million is a lesser estimate than the valuation numerous media outlets have made of Pogba, and it remains possible that the transfer fee could even break the world record.
