Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
JUVE: WE WANT OUR POG BACK
Turin giants will cash in on FOUR stars to bankroll massive bid
JUVENTUS want unsettled Manchester United star Paul Pogba to come back to Italy.
The Serie A champions have told Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola that they are interested in re-signing the midfielder they sold to United for £89million two years ago.
After splashing out £90m to recruit Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid, the Turin giants are looking to raise around £200m by cashing in on Miralem Pjanic, Gonzalo Higuain, Daniele Rugani and Mattia Caldara.
Juve would then be able to finance the
kind of deal that would test United’s resolve if they sold those stars.
They want to team up Pogba with Ronaldo as they seek to turn their unrivalled domestic dominance into a Champions League triumph under coach Max Allegri.
And they believe the 25-year-old midfielder is open to a return to Turin after admitting – during France’s triumphant World Cup campaign – that a rift with Jose Mourinho did open up last season when he was dropped from United’s team.
Raiola began contacting Europe’s top clubs in January to gauge the level of interest in his client and Juve made it clear they would take Pogba back.
After winning their seventh successive Italian title, they had made getting Ronaldo a priority.
But now they want Pogba and will sell some of their top players to ensure his return.
Manchester City could go for Pjanic, while Chelsea are interested in Higuain, Rugani and Caldara.