Manchester United are said to be growing ‘increasingly confident’ over the future of Paul Pogba, despite the Frenchman currently having less than a year to go on his existing deal.
The 28-year-old’s current contract is set to expire at the end of the season, opening up the possibility that he could well leave the club on a free for the second time, having previously done so back in 2012 in order to join Juventus.
Ever since his return from Turin in an £89m deal in 2016, the World Cup winner has been linked with an exit from Old Trafford, with his notorious agent Mino Raiola frequently suggesting that his client desires to leave the club.
Prior to their move for Lionel Messi, Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain had been rumoured to be eyeing up a deal for the midfielder over the summer, although they are likely to be one of the sides keen on his signature next summer, should he fail to agree to a new deal with Manchester United.
However, as per the Sun, United are growing ‘increasingly confident’ that a deal can be struck to extend his stay in Manchester, although they are believed to want a decision from the player by Christmas.
Pogba would be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with any interest sides from abroad as early as January 1st, hence the desire from the club to get his situation sorted before then.
The report suggests that the Red Devils hierarchy have been in ‘regular conversation’ with Raiola in order to try to tie the star down to a new deal, with the new contract likely to see him take home a wage of around £400,000-a-week.
Having looked certain to leave the club in recent years, it is believed that the impressive summer of recruitment has potentially altered his thinking, having seen Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo join him at the club this summer.
While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have endured some shaky showings in recent weeks, Pogba has started the season brightly with seven assists in the league already this season, including four on the opening day in the 5-1 win over Leeds United.