CONTROVERSIAL football agent Mino Raiola says he “didn’t threaten Manchester United with a gun” to re-sign Paul Pogba.
The French midfielder’s future remains as unclear as ever, with SunSport exclusively revealing the club has slashed 30m off his transfer valuation.
That means potential suitors such as Real Madrid and Juventus could bag him for 150m – still an astronomical amount for a player who continues to show inconsistency on the pitch.
Pogba rejoined United from Juventus for a then-world-record fee of 89m in 2016.
Four years earlier he had departed Old Trafford for Italy when his contract expired, with then-boss Sir Alex Ferguson describing the move as “disappointing”.
Since his return to England however, the 26-year-old has been blighted by injuries and rumours of being a divisive figure in the dressing room.
Many expected him to leave the club in the summer but boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insisted the flamboyant Frenchman was very much part of his plans.
Now his agent Raiola, who has received much criticism for his earnings off the back of transfers, has hit back at any negativity towards him for engineering Pogba’s move back to the Prem.
Speaking to Belgian news-site Sport Voetbalmagazine, the 52-year-old said: “I didnt threaten anyone at Manchester United with a gun to bring back Paul Pogba.
“Its always about the Pogba deal again, because my friends from the Fifa did not give a damn about the data protection act to influence the public opinion.
POGBA WANTS TROPHIES
Its very strange that its always about my earnings, but you dont hear anything from Fifa when Ajax receive 150m for two boys (De Ligt to Juventus and Frenkie de Jong to Barcelona).
“Then this is great and Ajax have done well.
Now Pogba, 26, and his agent Raiolahave been told he can leave at the end of the season as long as their demands are met.
Boss Solskjaerand the board believe it is best to part ways.
WhilePogba does not believe he can win titles or the Champions League at United during what should be the prime of his career.
Agent Raiola has also ruffled Old Trafford figures with disparaging comments about the club.
United now accept the circus surrounding the French World Cup winner is having a detrimental effect on boss Solskjaers plans going forward especially as he aims to build a young side committed to the club.
Pogba has made only eight appearances for the club this season due to an ankle injury.
