Chelsea and Manchester United both received a big boost in their quest to sign French midfielder Paul Pogba after the player’s agent Mino Raiola confirmed that Pogba’s future is not with Juventus, saying: “If it does not happen this year, it will be next year.”
The 21-year-old is under contract with Bianconeri until June 2019, and is being closely watched by not only the Premiership duo but also Real Madrid and Paris St Germain.
“I want the club that buys him to believe in him and be willing to pay for him,” Raiola told Gazzetta dello Sport. “If Paul leaves Juventus, it is for the absolute top.
“If it does not happen this year, it will be next year.
“Paul is at the same level economically as the other big stars and has a similar reputation, so he could stay for another year.
“But Paul is the only major star who is available at the end of the season.
“If you cannot take Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi or Zlatan Ibrahimovic, you can only go for Paul.”
The Italian agent has warned the French internationals suitors that they will have to pay big money to sign him.
“If someone wants him, the market situation could see him go for more than 100 million euros,” Raiola said.
Pogba’s agent also confirmed other clubs were interested in the young star when he left Manchester United almost three years ago saying:
“AC Milan wanted to sign him, together with Genoa, and then send him there on loan.”
“Inter said they did not want to create a row with (former Manchester United boss) Sir Alex Ferguson.
“With Juve, the deal was quite simple.
“They signed him, gave him the wages of a first-team player and did not send him out on loan.
“(Former Juventus coach) Antonio Conte deserves the credit for Paul’s development.
“He (Pogba) needs someone who tells him to do his thing and give him some space.”
