Pranav Nair
Juventus, Real Madrid, and PSG drop out of the race for Manchester United star Paul Pogba
According to the Daily Mail via CalcioMercato (h/t Juve FC), European giants Juventus, Real Madrid, and PSG are no more in the race for Manchester United star Paul Pogba.
The French international has a little over a year left on his current deal. It was revealed by his agent Mino Raiola that the player is not keen on signing an extension and will look to leave the club in the summer.
This gives United one whole summer to recoup what they can for the club’s record signing. The club will find it difficult to demand top dollar if he gets to next january, still a United player.
Not to mention, Pogba will then be free to sign a pre-contract agreement and leave on a free transfer in the summer of 2022.
The 27-year-old’s situation had garnered the attention of Juventus, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint Germain. However, all three sides now appear to have dropped out of the race.
Interestingly, this comes after Pogba stepped up his game in recent weeks. The Frenchman is currently one of our most impactful stars and scored the winner to send us top of the Premier League at Burnley.
Trick or treat?
It is difficult to imagine any of the three clubs completely give up on signing the player. Pogba is a fan favourite at Juventus and was a juggernaut of a player in Turin.
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane is a huge fan of Pogba while PSG could make use of him as their resident superstar. Pogba is on his day a midfield juggernaut and at 27, he is in his prime. He had earlier revealed his willingness to play under Zidane for Los Blancos.
Whether this is a ploy to get United to agree on a lower fee remains to be seen. The longer this drags on without him signing an extension, the further it weakens United’s grip on negotiations.
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According to the Mirror, United have accepted that Pogba will not renew his contract and depart in the summer. With interested parties showing their hands, it promises to be an interesting few months in the lead up to the summer transfer window.
Whether this opens the door for him to stay put at Old Trafford remains to be seen. Stranger things have happened in football.
