Paul Pogba has finally spoken about the speculations that he wants to leave Manchester United this summer to seek a “new challenge” somewhere else.
The French World Cup winner reunited with Red Devils from Juventus for a then world record £89 million ($112 million) fee three years ago, but has endured a mixed time in which he was criticised for not living up to the expectations.
In recent past Pogba has been linked with a move to Real Madrid to become part of Zinedine Zidane’s rebuilding project or even a return to Juventus with United having failed to qualify for the Champions League next season.
Man United will offer Paul Pogba up to £500,000-a-week in desperate attempt to keep midfielder at Old Trafford amid opening £90m bid from Real Madrid | @SamiMokbel81_DM and @ChrisWheelerDM https://t.co/91k7u3ELKe pic.twitter.com/45Yz0oJpDH
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) June 17, 2019
“For me I have been for three years in Manchester and have been doing great; some good moments and some bad moments, like everybody. Like everywhere else,” Pogba was quoted as telling reporters in Tokyo by The Guardian on Sunday.
“I think for me it could be a good time to have a new challenge somewhere else. I am thinking of this: to have a new challenge somewhere else.”
Pogba was often criticised by the fans and former players turned pundits for his contribution under both Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as United limped to a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League.
The only Man Utd player to feature in European team of the year has scored 16 goals this season in which half of them came from penalty spot.
Should Pogba move on, United are likely to seek a higher fee than they spent on the 26-year-old in 2016.
The summer overhaul in the transfer market at Old Trafford has already begun with the signing of Welsh winger Daniel James from Swansea for an initial £15 million ($19 million) fee this week.
The Red Devils have also been linked with bids for defenders Harry Maguire and Issa Diop and Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff.