Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is stunned by the imminent record-breaking transfer of Paul Pogba from Juventus to Manchester United.
Manchester United are reportedly on the verge of completing the transfer of 23-year-old French midfielder Paul Pogba from Serie A champions Juventus. The probable transfer fee is believed to be in excess of €120 million and it would shatter the world record for the most expensive transfer in football history.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has now added his voice to the number of people marveling at the price United are willing to pay for their former youth player.
“It is completely crazy if you compare it to normal life. That is for sure,” said Wenger, according to The Daily Mail.
“But we live in a world where every activity that is worldwide makes a lot of money. Football has become a worldwide competition and that is why clubs can afford to do it. Does it make sense in the way the player can give you that investment back? Nobody ever could calculate.
“Since I am in this sport I always thought the record cannot go higher and I was always wrong. Maybe in a few years it will be 200, 300, who knows?”
Manchester United have already made three big name signings this summer. Zlatan Ibrahimovic joined on a free transfer from PSG, while Ivorian defender Eric Bailly and midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan joined from Villarreal and Borussia Dortmund respectively. The net spend from United so far has been around the £65 million mark but could increase substantially with the possible Pogba transfer and a £22 million move for Monaco right-back Fabinho in the pipeline.
Arsene Wenger and Arsenal, on the other hand, have only made one major signing so far. The Gunners have brought in Granit Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach for £30 million, while they have also signed little known Japanese striker Takuma Asano from the J-League. The French manager is entering what could probably be his final year as Arsenal manager and would do well to take note of his rivals big spending over the summer.
The Gunners are in need of signing a defender after the recent injury to first choice center-back Per Mertesacker. The club has also being linked with moves for Inter striker Mauro Icardi and Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez. Either of those signings could be a massive boost to their title hopes and to the fans’ aspirations.
