From Ornstein on Pogba:
Pogba turns down Manchester City
When reports emerged on Friday that Manchester City were considering signing
Paul Pogba as a free agent after he leaves
Manchester United next month, it raised the idea of a remarkable switch between local rivals.
It was an opportunity in an area of the pitch that Pep Guardiola is looking to strengthen amid 37-year-old
Fernandinho’s expected departure once the season ends, with Pogba a genuine candidate.
But The Athletic can reveal that this potential switch is not going to happen after the 29-year-old midfielder opted against joining City, instead favouring the whole package offered by another club.
Despite Pogba’s affiliation with United — his six-year second spell there, making eight altogether, will finish when his contract expires in the coming weeks — the 2018 World Cup winner is understood to have received a flattering proposal from City and gave serious contemplation to the five-time Premier League champions.
However, Pogba’s representatives are believed to have informed City that the France international is to continue his career at a different team. Former club
Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are thought to be the most likely destinations at present, although a final decision is yet to be made.
Pogba started out at Le Havre in his homeland, then spent two years with United before heading to Italian side Juventus as a free agent in 2012 at age 19. He returned to Old Trafford four years later for a then-world record £89 million, but the subsequent period has not proved as successful as hoped and he is set to exit for nothing at the conclusion of the campaign.