Paul Pogba is starting to dominate Manchester United's summer transfer window.
Near constant speculation linking him with a move elsewhere hasn't come from nowhere. There have been comments by both Pogba and his agent Mino Raiola that have fuelled the paper talk — although United remain steadfast in their belief that the Frenchman will not be sold.
But with Real Madrid and Juventus lurking and for pre-season training — amid suggestions that he will not travel on United's tour of Australia, Singapore and China — the situation is edging towards breaking point.
The latest set of comments from agent Raiola have only served to fan the flames.
"Everyone knows the willingness of Paul to move on. We are in the process of that," he told the Times.
“Everyone knows what the feelings of Paul are.
“Everyone within the club, from the manager to the owner, knows Paul’s wishes.”
What has been said before
It all started back in March this year when Pogba described Real as "a dream club for every player", though at that stage added the caveat that he was happy at United.
All seemed well as Solskjaer had rejuvenated United's mercurial midfield talent, who was providing plenty of goals and assists.
Despite the fact that Pogba finished top of both statistics for the full season, however, his decline in form coincided with the team's. The 26-year-old scored just two goals (two penalties in one game versus West Ham) in his final 15 appearances of the campaign. United won two of their final 12 matches.
Pogba's next comment came after the disastrous season was finished, speaking at a press conference in Tokyo (while fulfilling commercial duties on a 'world tour') and telling reporters that now "could be a good time for a new challenge".
United then briefed the media, again, that they were not entertaining offers for Pogba. But with Real reportedly readying an offer that could include a player like Isco or Gareth Bale as a make-weight and Juventus doing something similar with Paulo Dybala or others, a decision must be made.
What happens next
United really only have two options:
- They stick to their guns and keep Pogba, who is contracted to the club until June 2021 with the option for an extra year, despite the player's apparent desire to move on. This will either involve Solskjaer meeting the player for talks to resolve the issue, or else they'll be keeping an unhappy star man.
- They cash in on Pogba, meeting his demands, but allowing themselves to find a replacement (or even securing one in a potential swap deal).
Forget the incomings that United so clearly need in this transfer window, it could be an outgoing that dominates the headlines between now and the closure of the transfer window on August 9th. United need this situation resolved, one way or the other.
