Pogba wants Barca switch
PAUL POGBA has told his Manchester United team-mates that he is desperate to leave Old Trafford for Barcelona. The France international midfielder has made it known to the other players and staff in the last 48 hours that he wants to be sold, two years after rejoining United from Juventus for a then world record £89million. The 25-year-old is also
understood to have sent a text message to Ed Woodward, informing United’s executive vice-chairman of his desire to go, although the club flatly deny this. They maintain Pogba is not for sale, just two days before Jose Mourinho’s side kick off the Premier League season at home to Leicester and with little chance of signing a replacement before the transfer window closes in England at 5pm tomorrow. They are now faced with the prospect of keeping an unhappy player, who is set to earn a basic wage of £9.62m this season plus a £3.78m loyalty bonus — or grant his wish and open talks with Barca. The Spanish transfer deadline is not until the end of this month. It’s understood that Pogba has agreed terms with the Catalan giants on a deal worth £89.5m over five years — a basic salary of £18m, equivalent to £346,000 a week — through his agent Mino Raiola. Raiola declined to comment on the situation when contacted yesterday, saying: ‘I will never make declarations about Paul. You have to speak to Manchester United.’ It’s understood that Pogba wants to play in Spain with Lionel Messi and his old Juventus team-mate Arturo Vidal, who joined Barcelona last week. He has become disillusioned with life under Mourinho after the relationship between the two men deteriorated rapidly last season. Pogba is upset that his manager did not take the chance to praise his World Cup success with France during United’s recent tour of the US, instead using it to make a veiled criticism of his attitude and commitment. He has struggled to justify his transfer fee over the past two years, but blames his restricted role in Mourinho’s side and the 55-year-old’s tactics for his patchy form. His superior performances in Russia as France won the World Cup this summer were always going to be an awkward issue for the United manager, but the situation has taken a dramatic twist since Pogba returned to training at Carrington on Monday. United are desperate not to lose their record signing so close to the start of the season, even though Mourinho privately confided in April that he would be prepared to sell Pogba this summer. Indeed, the timing could not be worse after a dismal pre-season that has left Mourinho at odds with Woodward and the club. United have reportedly rejected a low opening offer of £44.6m plus two players, Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes. They have an existing interest in Mina, who is also a target for Everton as both clubs look to bring in a new centre-back. The Goodison Park side still want Marcos Rojo, although United may have to give the Argentina defender a financial incentive to persuade him to agree to a £30m move. United are still in talks with Bayern Munich over Jerome Boateng, but have so far only offered half the £45m asking price. It remains to be seen if they stick to their guns on Pogba or entertain an improved bid that could involve other Barca stars being offered in exchange before tomorrow’s deadline.