Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba could reportedly be on his way to La Liga heavyweights Real Madrid in the summer transfer window.
As per a report from French outlet L’Equipe, Manchester United superstar Paul Pogba has told his teammates and close friends that he is set to leave the club in the summer transfer window and expects the Red Devils to sanction a transfer away to Real Madrid.
Pogba arrived at Manchester United from Juventus back in the summer of 2016 for a club-record fee of £89 million, but the Frenchman hasn’t always been able to live up to the lofty expectations placed on his shoulders. Since his return to his boyhood club, Pogba has shone in bits and pieces, and has unable to add a level of consistency to his game.
The World Cup winner’s future at Manchester United was cast in serious doubts after his falling out with former manager Jose Mourinho, but things seemed to have taken a turn for the better upon the appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the Portuguese’s replacement.
Manchester United saw a drastic upturn of form under the Norwegian, with Pogba at the heart of the revival. However, the former Juventus star has hit a rough patch once again, which has coincided with a poor run of results for the Red Devils, that has seen them crash out of the FA Cup, Champions League and fall behind their rivals in the race for the top four.
Pogba has been guilty of going missing in the big games recently, as was the case in Wednesday’s 2-0 derby defeat to Manchester City. Amid speculations that his relationship with the manager has already worn out, L’Equipe has claimed that the 26-year-old is preparing for a summer switch to Real Madrid and has informed his teammates of the impending move.
Real Madrid have been hot on the trail of Pogba as they look to revamp an ageing midfield department ahead of the next season. Manager Zinedine Zidane has been a vocal admirer of his compatriot and Pogba himself has expressed keenness to work with Zizou, in a recent interview, where he also claimed that Real Madrid was his dream club
The report adds that Pogba is disappointed over Manchester United’s ability to compete for major silverware, while the possibility of missing out on Champions League football next season is another major factor in him seeking a move to Real Madrid. And more importantly, United are ready to allow him to leave in the summer.
Pogba has a little over two years left on his current contract with Manchester United. Given his talent and age, the Red Devils are likely to demand a huge transfer fee, with recent reports quoting a figure around the £155 million mark. With the club not expected to stand in his way, a transfer could very well take place in the summer, should Real Madrid meet United’s demands.
