Juventus to meet with Pogba ‘next week’ as Man Utd exit edges closer
Juventus are set to hold talks with the representatives of Paul Pogba ‘next week’ as they look to secure his return to the club on a free transfer, according to reports.
Pogba’s Manchester United contract expires in June and the club are not expected to offer him a new deal after a miserable season that has ended without silverware or qualification for the Champions League.
The Frenchman has missed much of the campaign through injury and was booed by his own fans during last month’s 3-2 win over Norwich City.
Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea represented in Prem’s one-per-club worst XI of the season
A parting of ways seems inevitable, and Pogba has been linked with a number of clubs including Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, and Juventus, who he left to join United in an £89m deal in 2016.
The Italian side were miles off the title race in Serie A this season and are eager to bring Pogba back to the club as they look to reassert their domestic dominance.
According to Goal, Juventus will hold discussions with Pogba as soon as next week and will try to convince the 29-year-old to lower his wage demands of £9.3m-a-year, which are seen as an issue. The Old Lady have also requested that Pogba’s team keep the club abreast of any approaches from rival clubs, with PSG thought to be their closest competitor.
United legend Paul Scholes reflected on Pogba’s “disappointing” spell at the club in an interview with talkSPORT last month.”I don’t know [why it hasn’t worked out for Pogba],” he said. “I was there when he was a kid and this lad has got absolutely everything you would want in a footballer and a midfield player.
“His physique, he can run. I just don’t think he’s ever learned as a footballer, he constantly seems to make the same mistakes over and over again.
“It’s disappointing, it looks like he’s going to leave. He’ll go somewhere, a manager will get a grip of him, and I think he’ll do really well, as he did at Juventus.
“People see him the wrong way. He’s a nice lad, he wants to work and learn. I hope he goes on and does really well. We all know he’s got the ability and talent to be world class.”
