TO say Paul Pogba’s return to Manchester United hasn’t gone well would be quite an understatement.
This season, however, it has taken a turn for the worse, as the Frenchman’s relationship with boss Jose Mourinho hitting the rocks.
It all began back in January as Pogba was hauled off against Spurs, with Mourinho declaring “the game wasn’t for him”. Since then, things have gradually deteriorated.
Pogba was soon brought off again, this time against Newcastle as the Portuguese insisted he needed to “find a better way in midfield”.
The most serious of blows came during the disastrous games with Sevilla in the Champions League last 16, however.
Firstly, with Mourinho praising Scott McTominay and aiming a dig at Pogba by saying the Scot “has a normal haircut, no tattoos, no big cars, no big watches and is a humble kid.”
It didn’t take a genius to work out who Mourinho was musing about, starting McTominay ahead of Pogba in the first leg against the Spanish side, before leaving him on the bench in the second leg as United crashed out.
Pep Guardiola’s revelation that Pogba was offered to Manchester City in January was played down, but it no doubt added further fuel to the fire over his future.
BIG GUNS HOVER Man United star Paul Pogba ‘offered to PSG’ with Real Madrid also eyeing £89m Frenchman
After being taken off early yet again at the weekend, this time in a dreadful loss to West Brom, Mourinho threatened he would drop star players for the FA Cup semi-final.
It has led to reports that Mourinho has once and for all told Pogba he can leave old Trafford in the summer.
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Where, though, would be a possible destination for the £89million midfielder? Our friends at Football Whispers take a look…
Real Madrid
The Spanish giants were all set to go toe-to-toe with United for Pogba in the summer of 2016 but opted to go elsewhere.
With their La Liga title bid a failure, however, they could be pressed into making drastic action in the transfer market.
Their interest in Pogba is well known and Zinedine Zidane, who is an idol of the United man, admires the player greatly.
Financially the move wouldn’t be an issue for Real Madrid, who haven’t made a major statement in the transfer market for some time as they focus on signing cheap, young talent.
With Luka Modric not getting any younger at 32-years-old and several of Madrid’s recent signings failing to fully settle there could well be an opening for Pogba to take over the reins in midfield and form a deadly duo with the sensational Isco.
PSG
The Ligue 1 giants are another club who have been long linked with Pogba, especially as the midfielder hails from a suburb just outside the centre of Paris.
Recently talk of a sensational swap deal with Neymar has emerged, and while many would scoff at such a thing, they did the same when the Brazilian moved from Barcelona.
PSG’s midfield is set for an overhaul this summer after another Champions League flop, and Pogba could be seen as the figure to lead a new-look side.
PSG are under great scrutiny when it comes to Financial Fair Play rules, however, and as things stand a move would impossible under current conditions.
The Parisian outfit would have to shift several big names off their books, which looks highly unlikely as they seek out much needed stability.
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Juventus
It was in Turin that Pogba played his best football and became a superstar.
There, the Frenchman looked truly happy both on and off the field, playing with a smile on his face while also performing a key role as Juventus achieved complete dominance in Serie A.
Pogba is still well regarded at the club by the hierarchy, while fans still adore him after watching the player grow up under their watch.
Juventus are in a good position financially but a move for Pogba would shatter their budget and leave them short elsewhere, with others positions of the squad deemed more of a high priority this summer.
Even if they did make high-profile sales such as Alex Sandro, a target for Premier League clubs, it would still not be enough.
Man City
The unthinkable. The impossible?
Guardiola dropped the bombshell that agent Mino Raiola had offered his client to City, leaving the door open for an unlikely deal.
Pep is looking to freshen his midfield up this summer with ageing stars filling that department.
There is also a desire to make a serious assault on the Champions League while maintaining dominance domestically.
Pogba, of course, would be a top-tier signing in that regard, and financially it wouldn’t be an issue for City.
However, United would likely never sell to a direct rival, let alone one just across the city.
Pogba too would unlikely be receptive to such a deal given his love for United. It therefore makes this one a near impossible deal that could never happen.
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