Manchester United are reportedly willing to let Paul Pogba leave if they get Argentine international Lautaro Martinez in return from Inter Milan.
According to a report by Daily Mirror, Manchester United are open to the idea of letting Paul Pogba leave the club and join Inter Milan, but there is a catch. The Premier League heavyweights want Lautaro Martinez as part of any deal that sees the French midfielder reunite with Antonio Conte at San Siro.
Pogba returned to Manchester United from Juventus in the summer of 2016 amid much fanfare. However, three-and-a-half years into rejoining the Red Devils, the Frenchman’s second coming has not exactly been a resounding success, even though he has been one of the club’s most influential players in this period.
Manchester United’s most creative midfielder bar none has also often had critics to win over during this time. However, his influence is felt the most whenever he is not fit to take the field, as has been the case for majority of the 2019-20 season.
The most recent instance of the same was during the drab goalless draw with Wolves on Saturday. It is believed, though, that Pogba might be in his final season at Manchester United, especially in the wake of his latest injury setback despite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s insistence that he would like the 26-year-old to stay put at Old Trafford, especially amid interest from Inter Milan.
The Nerazzurri are keen on securing the services of Pogba, with Antonio Conte looking to bolster his midfield options. This despite being laden with a flurry of options in the middle of the park, although signing Pogba is a prospect that can hardly be turned down.
Pogba, too, appears to be eager to reunite with Conte, this time at Inter Milan and has given the green light for a move to San Siro, as per the report. The player’s stance has, therefore, put Inter Milan in the lead in the race to sign Pogba, ahead of Juventus and Real Madrid. Manchester United though, will not let a straightforward deal go through.
The Premier League heavyweights have had their eyes set on Inter striker Lautaro Martinez and are now looking to take advantage of the Nerazzurri’s interest in Pogba by demanding the Argentine international in return.
Manchester United, who value Martinez at £80 million, want the striker as part of any deal for the £150 million-rated Pogba and believe the ball is in their court. And so, while they are prepared to let Pogba leave, the Red Devils are also hoping they are able to land the Argentine international in the process.
If the claims by the reports indeed turn out to be true, it will be interesting to see how Inter Milan react to Manchester United’s demands. For now, it looks as if Manchester United want Lautaro Martinez, if they allow Paul Pogba to join the Serie A club, although any deal is only likely to go through in the summer.
