21 year old midfielder Paul Pogba has been the subject of transfer rumors since last summer’s window. The French international has commanded the respect of Europe’s elite after moving to Italian giants, Juventus from Manchester United in 2012 on a free transfer.
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Since his move to Serie A, he has gone on to score 22 goals along with 22 assists in 121 appearances from midfield. With his pace and technical ability, it was only a matter of time until Europe’s wealthiest came calling. TransferMarkt.com estimates Pogba’s transfer fee at around 50 million pounds. This significantly limits where the former Manchester United man could move.
Pogba’s agent, Mino Raiola is confident that his player will remain in Italy this summer. In an interview with Tuttosport quoted in the Daily Mail, Raiola said, “We made a pact with Juve: Paul doesn’t have to leave.” He went on to say, “At this moment the situation at Juve is ideal for Pogba. We would only leave if a situation emerged that was favourable for all concerned.”
That being said, a significant amount of big money transfers are prefaced with this sort of agent speak. This could all be to drum up the price for Pogba and begin the bidding war of summer 2015. “He is wanted by seven clubs and that is certain, because they all told me so. The ones that can afford him are Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea,” said Raiola. These ‘seven clubs’ have become the usual suspects every time a big money, big talent player is involved in transfer rumors.
It is possible a side such as Manchester City could be in the market for Pogba, as their goal-scoring core is aging and a season without silverware could see Manuel Pellegrini on his way out. If City has a new gaffer manning the touchline, a big name signing such as Paul Pogba could be on his way to the Etihad. Chelsea has become an extremely financially sound organization.
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This has been illustrated with the sale of big name players such as Juan Mata, David Luiz, and Andre Schurrle. These former Blues funded the moves for Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas, and Juan Cuadrado, in some of the best wheeling and dealing the club has ever done. These moves have put the Blues in pole position in the Premier League, on the cusp of reaching the last eight of the Champions League, and with the Capital One Cup already in the trophy case at Stamford Bridge.
As important a player as Paul Pogba has become for Juve, Chelsea has built a side that will be able to challenge for titles for years to come. The days of spending 50 million on one player seem to be over in SW6. That being said, Jose Mourinho is just getting started. Mourinho has been able to truly build a roster that is truly ‘his.’ Chelsea’s reign of dominance over Europe should continue for the better part of the next decade.
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