Krishnan Sreekumar
Transfer News: Boost for Manchester United Paul Pogba as Juventus unable to cover his full wages
According to Italian outlet Calciomercato (h/t Daily Mail), Juventus cannot afford to pay Manchester United star Paul Pogba‘s full wages, giving the English club a transfer boost in a bid to keep the midfielder in Manchester.
The United academy product, who is currently on national duty with the France national team, is out of contract at the end of the season, and thus far, he has not shown any indication to sign a new deal to stay at the club for a few more years.
Juventus are one of the clubs who are keen on signing the Frenchman for free in the summer, with the Serie A side well aware of what the player has to offer, having turned out for them between 2012 and 2016 as he enjoyed a trophy-laden career in Italy.
The Red Devils re-signed him in 2016 after he impressed for Juve, but his second spell at Old Trafford has not turned out to be as successful as he expected it to be, only winning the UEFA Europa League and the League Cup. These trophies were last won in 2017, which means that it has now been nearly five years since both player and club won silverware in England or in Europe.
Cannot afford Pogba
The Bianconeri are keen on landing Pogba once again on a Bosman transfer, but despite getting Cristiano Ronaldo off their wage bill and opting not to renew Paulo Dybala’s deal when it expires in the summer, they are said to be unable to land their former player due to salary demands.
Currently, the Italian giants are only able to offer the World Cup winner £8m-a-season, which is just over half of his current annual £15m wages at Old Trafford. The only way that Juve can re-sign Pogba in the summer is if he lowers his terms and salary demands.
It certainly is a case of deja vu for United surrounding Pogba, seeing him linked once again to Juventus on a free transfer when his contract expires. The Old Lady would be feeling the same, except that this time around, they may well be signing an experienced international and household name in Europe, who boasts of high wages given his current status.
Last time around, the 29-year-old was only a teenager looking for first-team football opportunities outside of the Theatre of Dreams. Turin offered him this possibility, and Juve made the most of it as they stormed to four consecutive Scudetto triumphs with Pogba in the team and also reached the final of the 2015 Champions League final.
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Massimiliano Allegri is back in charge of the Italian side once again, who Pogba played under last time he was at Juventus. Evidently, the scene looks to be set to snap up the Frenchman for free once again, but his wages are turning out to be an issue.
Although this comes as a transfer boost for the Red Devils, there is still nothing concrete to suggest that the midfielder will stay in Manchester. It remains to be seen whether the Carrington graduate will slash his wage demands to move away from United, or whether he has a change of heart and commits to the English side for a few more years – especially given that a new manager is expected to arrive at Old Trafford in the summer to lead us back to glory from next season.
