Paul Pogba had an uncertain future at Manchester United for the longest time as there were concerns over his inconsistency and rumours that a suitor could lure him away from Old Trafford, but Sport Italia journalist Rudy Galetti says United are ‘close to renewing’ his deal in what would be a ‘record contract’ worth €22m-a-year (£18.7m-a-year).
The Red Devils were previously open to selling Pogba for €80m (£68.2m) amid interest from Paris Saint-Germain among others, but no club has made an acceptable bid and now his future looks to be in Manchester.
The 28-year-old returned to Old Trafford from Juventus in 2016 and has gone on to make 206 appearances in all competitions, scoring 38 goals with 42 assists. He’s won the Europa League and two League Cups while reaching another Europa League final and finishing runner-up in the Premier League twice.
But Pogba’s future has been up in the air as agent Mino Raiola continues to tell the media that his client wants out of United. He claims the French international wants a change of scenery after five years and has issued a ‘come and get me’ plea on behalf of Pogba.
The 28-year-old’s existing deal is up in 2022, so there is the risk of him leaving on a free transfer if a contract extension can’t be agreed, but Galetti’s report is good news. United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Pogba is happy, so it seems more likely that he’ll stay rather than be sold, but this is a story worth keeping tabs on.
Sports View Summary
Pogba’s deal being up in 12 months means United have a decision to make this summer. They either need to cash in now to avoid the risk of losing him for nothing in 2022, or they need to accelerate talks over a new deal to ensure they’ve got a valuable asset on their books for the long-term.
One of those two things has to happen before the season starts and it seems it will be news of his extension.