Man.city could make move to sign Pogba from rivals United
LONDON: Manchester City could make a move for Paul Pogba when his contract runs out at Manchester United this summer.
City boss Pep Guardiola is looking for central midfield reinforcements given veteran Fernandinho plans to leave the club at the end of the season.
City have already ruled themselves out of making an offer for West Ham’s Declan Rice given the likely transfer fee in excess of £100m.
But the lack of a transfer fee makes Pogba a more atractive proposition.
Pogba’s situation is slightly more complicated following the death of his long-time agent Mino Raiola last weekend.
But he is bound to be of interest to many of Europe’s top clubs despite form and injury issues that have blighted his time at United.
If the France star were to make the move across Manchester, it would be similar to Carlos Tevez rejecting United’s offer of turning his loan spell with them into a permanent switch in 2009 and then joining City.
Sky Sports News reported last month the France international, who is thought to have played his final game for United as he is out with a calf injury, has not ruled out staying in the Premier League.
Real Madrid, Juventus and PSG remain interested in signing him on a free transfer, six years ater United signed Pogba from the Italian club for a then world record £93.25m.
Pogba is free to talk to clubs outside England, but cannot officially negotiate with English clubs until he is out of contract.
City were interested in Pogba in 2018, while he is a known admirer of Guardiola.
Pogba is 29 and believes the next deal he signs will be the most important of his career.
Pogba was forced off in the early stages of United’s 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday, and Rangnick revealed the France midfielder faces at least four weeks on the sidelines.
United’s final game of the season is at Crystal Palace on May 22, meaning the midfielder faces ending his six-year spell at Old Trafford with a whimper.