Whatever the form and injury record of Pogba, his availability for a transfer fee of zero this summer piqued the interest of several of Europe’s top clubs. Undoubtedly the most eye-catching of those clubs are Manchester City.
The idea that City’s approach was designed to antagonise the red half of Manchester — or form part of some elaborate scheme to provoke United into a reaction — can be ridiculed by the fact that Guardiola personally met Pogba to discuss a move across town. Guardiola explained in the warmest terms why he wanted Pogba to join City.
Txiki Begiristain, City’s director of football, then presented a significant contract offer. The salary was not as high as the one Kevin De Bruyne is on, or new signing Erling Haaland will be, but the proposal placed Pogba among City’s top earners.
Pogba considered it, but was conscious of the media furore that would be triggered by swapping Old Trafford for the Etihad and, more importantly, after his home was burgled in March he felt a change of scenery was required. He has, for the most part, been settled with his wife Zulay and their two children in Cheshire, living close to team-mate Victor Lindelof.
Paris Saint-Germain made a contract offer a week before the season finished, but it was lower than the one from Juventus. Complicating matters was the fact PSG were in the midst of a dramatic swoop to tie Kylian Mbappe down for three more years.
Mbappe is a good friend of Pogba’s in the France squad, thus heightening the appeal for him returning to their hometown. But the finances required to persuade Mbappe to spurn the lure of Real Madrid meant PSG’s pot for paying Pogba was reduced. The musical chairs did, though, mean Real had more budget to spend and Bernabeu executives intimated to Pogba he would get an offer from them too.
Juventus’ bid to sign Pogba will be helped by a tax break if he signs before June 30.
