Paul Pogba is set to complete his return to Juventus after it emerged he dismissed Manchester United’s contract offer of more than £300,000 a week as ‘nothing’.
Juve look to have won the battle to sign Pogba as a free agent following talks with his lawyer Rafaela Pimenta as the sides move closer to agreeing terms over a four-year deal.
United will lose their record £89million signing to the Italians for the second time after Sportsmail revealed Pogba cost the club nearly £1m per game during his six years back at Old Trafford and will pocket a £3.78m loyalty bonus when he officially leaves on June 30.
It would have cost United even more to keep the Frenchman, and it emerged in a preview for the new Amazon documentary about Pogba that he rejected two offers in excess of his existing £290,000-a-week deal.
The 29-year-old also confirms he was unhappy that United waited so long to propose a new deal after he first approached the club in the summer of 2019.
Filmed on The Pogmentary speaking to his agent Mino Raiola as he drives a Rolls-Royce in Miami, Pogba asks: ‘Did Manchester make a second offer?’
‘Yes,’ replies Raiola, who died in April. ‘They absolutely want you to stay. For me, the offer doesn’t reflect that. I told them, “If you want him to stay, don’t make that offer”.
‘I will make them understand that if they really want you to stay and they want to build a project around you, this time they have to act differently and put the money on the table.’
Pogba responds: ‘They’re bluffing. How can you tell a player you absolutely want him and offer him nothing? Never seen that.
‘My thought process is to show Manchester United that they made a mistake in waiting to give me a contract.’
The exchange is reminiscent of the notorious tale recounted in Ashley Cole’s 2006 autobiography, in which the former England defender admitted he ‘nearly swerved off the road’ after his agent Jonathan Barnett said Arsenal were only willing to pay him £55,000-a-week. It earned Cole the nickname Cashley.
Pogba is one of five players who are leaving United as a free agents at the end of the month, with Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, Edinson Cavani and Nemanja Matic the others. Mason Greenwood’s future also remains uncertain following his arrest on suspicion of rape, assault and making threats to kill.
An appeal to extend Greenwood’s police bail will be heard at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
It is understood the police investigation will continue regardless of the outcome, and Greenwood remains suspended by United.
Meanwhile, the overhaul of the club under new chief executive Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough continued yesterday with changes to key academy personnel.
FA Youth Cup-winning coach Travis Binnion has taken over as head of player development and coaching, replacing Justin Cochrane, who has left to become first-team coach at Brentford.
Mark Dempsey has been put in charge of the Under 23s and Paul McShane becomes professional development phase coach.
Cold_Hearted_Truth
0
Juventus be like 15 selfies a day 23 haircuts every couple months we got a legend on our hands
AwraKing7
1
So what???
teddyngongok
0
cmon pogba.. show ur hairstyle to italian.. keep ur football talent in barber..
Bryankahiga
0
hez now going to play for half of what he rejected
lhunk
1
old Trafford to old lady -> old lady to old Trafford -> old Trafford to old lady again that makes pogba an old man
waobdklntz
0
Pogba is one of the overrated footballers ever
no you are wrong
rehaekorty
2
I am happy the virus is leaving.
CHAMPIONS77
1
Pogba is one of the overrated footballers ever
voebeipsuy
0
I don’t understand how he really believes he even deserves MORE money…. Either way in ONE week you’d have more money than most FAMILIES earn in multiple YEARS… AND ALL U DO IS GET YOUR HAIRCUT
Just like diveymar
voebeipsuy
1
He will score 3 goals and 30 new hairstyle in first season 🎶🎶
Tumckpsuy
0
united no need play like you
zokkmorst
0
Man United are the worst spenders in the transfer market this decade🤣🤣🤣
Lien_Meizap
0
Pogba doesnt deserve a raise...I repeat Pogba doesnr deserve a raise...Good riddance he is leaving...all he can offer is a glimpse of what he could do...He is consistently inconsistent and he most consistent in changing hairstyle....[Hitface]
Sabelnopr
4
Hate the old lady for robbing United twice. Pogba is a virus. Will never again support Pogba & the old lady
malone95
4
It took 4 years to offload a very expensive Garbage grade player...and why did manutd buy him in the first place?This is a clueless sports world[Sadtolook]
NeXesAJ17
3
4 years of lacking and dancing bye forever
Bendiga
1
I can’t wait for him to come back to Manchester
Lababidi
0
up with it already just say when he signs the contract
wowdmuyz
1
liversccor g try and make it to you
BenCheong
3
Jose is right, u are the virus...
peecemnosy
1
Seria fixture
adedefender
1
We don’t care anymore as he was a waste to us
Neymar_10Jr
3
I don’t understand how he really believes he even deserves MORE money…. Either way in ONE week you’d have more money than most FAMILIES earn in multiple YEARS… AND ALL U DO IS GET YOUR HAIRCUT
Daphoenix87
3
Obviously he wanted more money but wasn't delivering on the pitch
Que_X_Genah
5
Mbappe when playing for France nowadays ‼️ [Crylaugh]