‘Super agent’ Mino Raiola has insisted that Juventus is in Paul Pogba’s ‘heart’, as he admits that a return to Turin next summer is a ‘possibility’ for his high profile client.
The transfer window may now be closed, but – as ever – the speculation over the future of the Manchester United midfielder continues, with the Frenchman entering into the final 12 months of his existing deal at Old Trafford.
Although he has started the new campaign brightly with seven assists from the opening four Premier League games, his current contract situation continues to be an unwanted distraction for the club, with top sides across Europe all linked with signature.
The World Cup winner previously left the club on a free transfer back in 2012 – before returning for a £89m fee four years later – and could well opt to do the same at the end of the season, amid links to the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and former club Juventus.
This summer had seen the 28-year-old at the centre of speculation regarding a possible switch to Paris Saint-Germain, before the Ligue 1 side’s signing of Lionel Messi seemingly ended any such talk, with Mauricio Pochettino’s side likely to be in the race for his signature next year.
Now in his sixth season back at Old Trafford, Pogba remains a polarising figure among the club’s support, having struggled for consistency throughout his second spell, while also sparking fury with the frequent outbursts from his notorious agent, Raiola.
The Italian has spoken out about his client’s desire to leave the club in recent years, notably announcing that the player was keen for pastures new just a matter of days before the club’s pivotal Champions League group stage clash with RB Leipzig last season, which Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men went on to lose to crash out of the competition.
While Pogba, to his credit, has performed well since that contentious moment, he – and his agent – risk inciting the wrath of the club once again, with Raiola hinting at a possible return to Italy next year for the player and insisting that the ‘Old Lady’ remains in his ‘heart’.
“Pogba’s contract expires next year. We will talk to Manchester (United) and see,” Raiola told Rai Sport.
“For sure Turin has remained in his heart and he cares a lot about these things. The possibility of returning to Juventus is there but it also depends on Juve.”
Despite those comments, recent reports have suggested that Pogba could well be ‘leaning towards’ staying at United, following the impressive summer of recruitment at the club, notably the return of Portuguese icon, Cristiano Ronaldo.
