Paul Pogba has told the Manchester United hierarchy he would like a £200,000-a week pay rise to remain at the Red Devils amidst transfer interest from Barcelona according to the Sun.
The Sun also reported that 25-year-old Pogba contacted United chief Ed Woodward earlier this week to discuss a potential move away from Old Trafford.
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It is claimed in the report that the France international would only be tempted to stay if he is to earn the same wage as January signing Alexis Sanchez, who is the Premier League’s highest earner on a whopping £380,000-a week.
Catalan giants Barcelona aren’t the only side Pogba would like to join, with a return to former club Juventus also mentioned as a possibility, with the marquee signing of Cristiano Ronaldo this summer seemingly making Pogba open to a return to Turin.
La Liga Champions Barcelona could do with Pogba to fill the void left by club legend Andres Iniesta, following his move away from the club at the end of last season.
Pogba and his agent Mino Raiola remain in talks with Manchester United chiefs over the World Cup winner’s future as the transfer window draws to a close.
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Given the gap between United and runaway champions Manchester City last season, this looks a hugely risky potential sale if it does go through.
MUFC may well feel confident enough to reject Pogba’s demands to earn a big pay rise or leave, but it’s far from ideal preparation as the club start their season against Leicester City this Friday.
Were they to lose Pogba to Barcelona, they’d have little time to land an ideal replacement, surely further denting their hopes of mounting a stronger title challenge this term, while the improvement of teams like Liverpool and Arsenal could even threaten their place in the top four.