Transfer Talk: Pogba to sit tight at United as PSG look to clear the decks
Lionel Messi’s move to Paris Saint-Germain means Paul Pogba is likely to see out his contract at Manchester United and leave on a free transfer next summer.
With just one year left on his deal at Old Trafford, Pogba had been tipped to join the French giants before the end of the month.
But Messi’s arrival in the French capital means PSG will not be able to finance any further big-money deals before the transfer window slams shut.
Prior to the Argentine’s departure from Barcelona, the Ligue 1 giants had reportedly been weighing up a £40million bid for Pogba.
The Mail claim the Frenchman’s agent Mino Raiola even held tentative talks with Les Parisiens about a deal.
But now they believe Pogba, 28, will leave Manchester for the second time at the end of the season as a free agent.
The Red Devils received just £800,000 in compensation when Pogba, then 18, quit the Theatre of Dreams for Juventus back in 2012.
They spent £89m to re-sign him four years later but it has been an uneasy marriage ever since with his inconsistent performances attracting plenty of criticism.
PSG fire sale
The fallout from the Messi deal means PSG are now preparing to sell a number of players to shore up their finances.
Boss Mauricio Pochettino needs to ship out up to 10 stars due to the Argentine’s astronomical wages.
And it is not just fringe players the French club are willing to let go before the window shuts.
Spanish publication Sport claim Mauro Icardi, Ander Herrera, Sergio Rico, Layvin Kurzawa, Pablo Sarabia, Thilo Kehrer, Abdou Diallo, Rafinha and Idrissa Gueye are all up for grabs.
Among that group are first-team regulars and long-serving players.
Prior to the Messi signing, PSG revealed they would need to make around £150m in sales to meet French football’s financial fair play rules.
That figure will have risen greatly with the 34-year-old reportedly receiving a £25m signing-on fee on top of his salary.
In other news
Inter Milan’s interest in Anthony Martial will be rebuffed by Manchester United, who The Telegraph believe have no interest in selling the Frenchman.
Football Insider say Tottenham remain in talks to sign Inter striker Lautaro Martinez, despite reports suggesting the Italians will not part with the 23-year-old Argentine.
Leicester are negotiating with Southampton over a move for centre-back Jannick Vestergaard, according to The Telegraph.
