Pogba can go...for astronomical fee
United star: It’s time for a new challenge
Pogba is contracted to the club until July 2021. United paid £ 89million to bring their academy graduate back from Juventus in 2016.
Real Madrid, whose coach Zinedine Zidane is a keen admirer of his compatriot, believe it would cost £133m to make the deal happen, a sum they cannot afford after already splashing out on Eden Hazard this summer.
Juventus are also monitoring the situation with United dismayed at the prospect of a saga rumbling through the summer.
Pogba, who was named in the PFA’s Team of the Season despite at times attracting criticism for his performances, told reporters that the time could be right for a move, saying: ‘Like you said, there is a lot of talking and a lot of thinking as well.
‘For me I have been for three years in Manchester and have been doing great, some good moments and some bad moments, like everybody. Like everywhere else.’
While adidas paid a world record fee to manufacture United’s jerseys, the fact that what was meant to be a hassle-free promotional tour for an official partner has somehow presented the club with a major headache has been noted by perplexed Old Trafford top brass.
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will start to rebuild his squad this summer, but views Pogba as a key piece.
Pogba’s very public appeal is exactly what Zidane wants. Both men know his price is unlikely to drop sufficiently to make the deal happen this summer unless he forces the issue.
However, such a scenario is unlikely. While having a wantaway player is not ideal, there is no appetite at United to let the player force his way out — unless a gargantuan fee arrives. Real wanted Eden Hazard to make similar noises last summer, but he waited respectfully and left Chelsea on good terms. There is unlikely to be same goodwill if Pogba leaves Old Trafford this summer.
Pogba would also command a huge salary. Real Madrid have 37 players on their books and their bloated squad must be trimmed if they are to make more signings.
But even with sales, president Florentino Perez is reluctant to sanction the move. He has never believed Pogba’s asking price can be justified and has never done business with Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola, who last week had a three-month ban from football activity lifted by FIFA, and who would demand a sizeable commission.
That figure remains the great unknown in what is likely to be the saga of the summer.
PAUl PogbA has sensationally revealed he is considering leaving Manchester United. In a remarkable move, aimed at triggering a transfer away from old Trafford, the 26-year-old told reporters in Tokyo that it may well be time to leave the club for a ‘new challenge’.
Sportsmail understands the France midfielder’s comments have not gone down well at United, who will not sell him unless they receive an astronomical offer.
A source explained: ‘It is safe to say that they are distinctly unimpressed with it, but as far as they’re concerned Pogba will be at the club next season.’
Pogba, in Asia with sponsors adidas, said: ‘After everything that happened this season, with my season being my best season as well... I think for me it could be a good time to have a new challenge somewhere else.
‘I am thinking of this: to have a new challenge somewhere else.’
Despite the comments, United feel they hold the aces, given