Manchester United have vowed not to be held to ransom over Paul Pogba’s future.
Pogba’s massive wage demands are proving a major stumbling block to him staying at Old Trafford.
Talks are believed to have already started with the star’s agent Mino Raiola wanting in excess of £400,000-a-week for the French World Cup winner to sign a new deal.
United are conflicted on what course to take with boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanting to keep Pogba on board.
However, the club’s money-men are said to be looking at all options as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic continues to hit finances and have told Solskjaer they won’t have a gun held to their head by Raiola.
Pogba’s market value is placed around £55million but that would be a £34million drop in value after United signed the 28-year-old for £89 million from Juventus in 2016.
(Image: Pool via REUTERS)
Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are both struggling financially while Pogba’s former club Juventus aren’t guaranteed to even be in the Champions League next season after Serie A struggles.
Only Paris Saint Germain could afford Pogba’s fee and wages but it’s believed the French star isn’t against staying at Old Trafford despite Raiola claiming last year he was “unhappy” at United.
The danger for United is that Raiola may press Pogba to run down his contract and leave on a free transfer next summer enabling him to pocket a huge signing on fee that could be worth up to £20 million.
By then Pogba would be 29 and it could be seen as a calculated gamble by the star and his agent.
But United’s top brass are fearing, once again, Raiola has the upper-hand in negotiations.
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