After three months of Manchester United underperforming with Jose Mourinho in charge, the transfer rumours surrounding Paul Pogba’s future have been relentless. Having signed for Juventus in the Summer of 2016, it seems a return to Italy is the most likely transfer for Pogba this January window, according to reports from Talk Sport and the Express.
Pogba, 25, was bought for £89million in August 2016 and since signing for United has won the Europa League, EFL Cup and the World Cup with France. While these honours for club and country suggest he his in the form of his life, he has actually had to deal with much pressure and media scrutiny for not living up to expectations, as well as the likes of Graeme Souness repeatedly scolding him in the post-match analyses almost every weekend.
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The media have particularly focused on the seemingly troublesome relationship with manager Jose Mourinho, sparking even more debate that he has lost the support of the dressing room, fuelling the transfer rumours further. In addition to this, United have made the worst start to a season in 28 years, despite making it through to the knockout stages of the Champions League in dramatic fashion on Tuesday night.
Surely encouraged by the state of affairs at Manchester United, not only have Juventus reportedly started planning a move for Pogba, but so have Inter Milan. The Express suggest that Mourinho’s interest in centre-back Milan Škriniar and winger Ivan Perišić are well known by Inter and they will offer them both for Pogba in a bid to sneak past Juventus in the race to sign the unsettled French midfielder. However, talks could easily break down between the clubs as Inter are reportedly in financial difficulties surrounding breaches of Financial Fair Play Regulations.
Instead, it seems Juventus are the favourites to bring Pogba back to his former club. Juventus have reportedly started planning a move to sign Pogba on loan in the January transfer window with an option to buy in the summer. It would require the move to start as a loan signing as they have just paid over £105 million for Cristiano Ronaldo and thus paying another similar price tag for Pogba would be another breach of Financial Fair Play Regulations in Serie A. Instead this huge sum of money would be paid in the summer of 2019, assuming the loan move goes well.
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These reports have all suggested a return to Italy for Pogba with no convincing news of major interest from elsewhere. However, there is no doubt Pogba breathes talent and would be an excellent addition to any squad, thus the biggest clubs from all over Europe are certainly keeping one eye firmly on the situation at Old Trafford.