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Paul Pogba 'prefers Juventus over Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain moves'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 08 May 2022

Paul Pogba 'prefers Juventus over Man City, PSG moves'

Paul Pogba reportedly prefers a return to Juventus over Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain when his Manchester United contract expires this summer.

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba reportedly has his eyes set on a return to Juventus this summer, despite interest from Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.

The France international continues to run down the final few weeks of his Man United contract and is now all but certain to leave the club on a free transfer.

Despite his patchy form and injuries this season - he has likely played his final game for the club after picking up a serious calf injury - competition for Pogba's signature is expected to be rife.

Pogba's emergence occurred during his four years at Juventus between 2012 and 2016, where he won four Serie A titles and registered 34 goals and 40 assists in 178 matches.

With the Old Lady once again under the tutelage of Massimiliano Allegri, Pogba has been strongly linked with a return to Turin to reunite with his former manager.

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri on April 3, 2022 © Reuters

However, Manchester City are allegedly planning a shock swoop for the 29-year-old, while Paris Saint-Germain continue to be linked with his services.

Pogba is seemingly set to snub interest from both financial behemoths, though, as Football Transfers claims that the midfielder's preference is to return to Juventus.

The Man United midfielder was formerly represented by super agent Mino Raiola, who tragically died at the age of just 54 last month following an illness.

Vincenzo Raiola - Mino's cousin - is now understood to be representing Pogba, and the Italian has reportedly already held discussions with Juventus and PSG ahead of the summer window.

While PSG's financial muscle beats that of Juventus, the report adds that both clubs have offered the midfielder a similarly strong salary of €220,000 (£188,000) per week.

Paul Pogba warms up for Manchester United on April 9, 2022 © Reuters

Juventus and PSG also have an advantage over Man City in the race for Pogba, with foreign clubs able to negotiate with soon-to-be free agents such as the World Cup winner since January.

In contrast, City must wait until the end of the season to enter talks with Pogba, whose allegiance to bitter rivals Man United could also lead him to snub a move to the Premier League champions.

Since returning to the club in an £89.7m move in 2016, Pogba has scored 39 goals and set up 50 more in 225 appearances after playing seven games for the club before his initial departure in 2012.

The former Le Havre youngster has only made 20 Premier League appearances this term due to injury but has still managed nine assists in that time - only Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson have more.

Following Saturday's embarrassing 4-0 defeat at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion, Man United can no longer finish in the top five in the Premier League and are set to record their lowest-ever points haul in the competition.

Ralf Rangnick's side will play their final game of the campaign against Crystal Palace on May 22, but Pogba will seemingly miss out on the chance to bid farewell to the United fanbase.