According to The Guardian’s Fabrizio Romano, Paul Pogba’s chances of leaving Manchester United this summer are being affected by the club’s asking price.
What’s the word?
The France World Cup winner has been the subject of great speculation over the past few months, and there were suggestions last summer that the likes of Juventus and Real Madrid were interested in luring him away from Old Trafford.
Now, Romano claims that whilst Pogba is still intent on leaving United, his “chances of securing a swift exit are likely to be hampered by the club setting an asking price of around €100m (£83m)”.
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It’s further suggested the midfielder’s agent, Mino Raiola, will try to convince the Manchester side to lower their demands, “especially as Pogba will have only one year remaining on his contract after this season”.
Cutting their losses
Having arrived from Juventus back in the summer of 2016 for a deal reportedly worth £89m, it perhaps doesn’t make the most business sense for United to set an asking price lower than what they initially re-signed him for.
But in truth, the Red Devils should simply think about their cutting their losses on the Frenchman and just moving on. Pogba’s name has dominated the topic of conversation even whilst he has been out injured, with Raiola coming out a couple of times now to speak on behalf of his client. It’s the kind of drama and attention that the Manchester side desperately don’t need, particularly when they are fighting for Champions League qualification next season.
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It wouldn’t be the greatest look on the face of it for Ed Woodward to sanction a sale for Pogba that didn’t generate the club any profit. However, it is certainly the kind of brave decision that the executive vice-chairman has to make.
United are reportedly eager to sign younger and more exciting players that fit the long-term vision of the club. Pogba simply doesn’t fit into that profile of player, and getting rid of him would allow them to better focus their rebuild. The Red Devils need a squad who are willing to play for the shirt, and want to put the team first. So whilst it may not make the most business to make a loss on the Frenchman, it does make the most footballing sense for Woodward to lower their demands.
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