MANCHESTER UNITED are finally set to sell Paul Pogba after their slashed their valuation of him to just £100million.
Old Trafford chiefs cut £80m from the fee they had hoped to command in January for their French midfielder in a bid to finally be rid of him.
Last summer, Pogba said he wanted a “new challenge” but a move never materialised.
On top of that, the 2018 World Cup winner has played just seven times in the Premier League this season thanks to a spate of injuries.
With £55million summer signing Bruno Fernandes in superb form, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appears to have realised he can live without Pogba.
Once the world-record signings at £89m in 2016, Pogba is now set to leave after a disappointing four years back at Man Utd.
But could he go now United have slashed their valuation? We take a look…
JUVENTUS
FROM United to Juve to United… to Juve again? It’s certainly more than just a possibility.
The Serie A giants have already registered their interest in bringing Pogba back to Turin after a hugely successful stint there between 2012 and 2016.
Maurizio Sarri has been left underwhelmed by his midfield options, despite hoovering up some of the world’s top talent for free in recent years.
The likes of Emre Can, Adrien Rabiot and Aaron Ramsey have all failed to nail down a first-team spot – behind the likes of Blaise Matuidi in the pecking order.
And now Miralem Pjanic – once the first name on the Juventus team-sheet – could be on his way out too.
Bringing Pogba back would certainly fill a monster hole in their midfield to complement their strong defensive and attacking ranks.
And Pogba sparked speculation this week by wearing a Juventus shirt while self-isolating.
REAL MADRID
SEEMINGLY dead-certs to sign Pogba last summer, the move astonishingly failed to materialise.
Los Blancos instead splashed hundreds of millions on the likes of Eden Hazard, Luka Jovic, Ferland Mendy and Eder Militao.
They were expected to make their move in January, but Pogba injured himself on Boxing Day and has been to of action ever since.
For now, Madrid appear to be the favourites to land the French midfielder – and will be buoyed by the potential to save themselves £80m to invest elsewhere.
PSG
A MOVE to France could well be appealing to Pogba – who has never played senior club football in his home nation.
The Parisiens are set for an almighty windfall this summer, too – with both Kylian Mbappe and Neymar expected to head to Spain in money-spinning deals.
Mbappe is being tipped with a move to Real Madrid – worth over £200m – and Neymar is expected to go “home” to Barcelona.
So PSG will no doubt reinvest some of that cash in a new forward or two – but should have enough left over to bring Pogba to the capital city.
BAYERN MUNICH
WHILE not boasting as deep pockets as many of Europe’s giants, Bayern’s ears will have pricked up at the news of Man Utd’s valuation dropping.
The Bundesliga side have a host of star talent across their starting XI – but may want to look to the future in the heart of midfield.
There has been some talk of Robert Lewandowski leaving the club this summer and with his form as strong as it is, Bayern could pocket a huge chunk of cash from any deal.
That money could well be reinvested in Pogba to add a little X-factor to the middle of the park – with youngsters like Alphonso Davies and Serge Gnabry on fire down the wings.
CHELSEA
A REAL left-wing suggestion, Pogba may opt to stay in the Premier League.
The Blues missed out on all the festivities last summer while under their transfer ban.
And Frank Lampard is willing to sell eight first-team stars in a bid to boost his coffers to around £300m.
Full-backs and a striker are imperative – and possibly a goalkeeper too.
But at times Chelsea have looked a little light in midfield despite N’Golo Kante being on the books and Mateo Kovacic enjoying a huge boost in form.
And Pogba could be just the man to do a job for Lampard – who knows all about what it takes to thrive as an attacking-minded central midfielder in the Premier League.
It’s a real long shot – but if any top-flight side were to take him on, Chelsea would be the most likely.
