Liverpool have rejected a chance to sign Paul Pogba after Mino Raiola offered Jurgen Klopp the Manchester United midfielder and Paris Saint-Germain target, according to Le10 Sport.
Klopp is assessing potential options to reinforce the Anfield engine room after PSG signed Georginio Wijnaldum on a free transfer. Eduardo Camavinga and Houssem Aouar are two leading options for the German. But Raiola sought to sound out interest in his client, Pogba.
Raiola told Liverpool that a deal for Pogba is possible as the Frenchman’s in the final year of his Manchester United contract. PSG are keeping close tabs on the situation at Old Trafford, and remain the hottest track, however.
Liverpool responded to Raiola’s offer by indicating they would not be interested in signing Pogba from Manchester United this summer. But Le10 Sport claim a deal could be studied in January, when the 28-year-old only has six-months on his contract.
For now, Klopp is instead working on Camavinga and Aouar, who Rennes and Lyon value at €50m (£42.5m) and €30m (£25.5m) respectively. PSG also have an additional advantage for Pogba, in Director of Football Leonardo having an excellent relationship with Raiola.
Although, any deal for Liverpool to sign Pogba would be very unlikely given the rivalry they share with Manchester United. Instead, it’s likely Raiola is using Klopp’s side in an attempt to scare the Red Devils into selling to PSG.
Is Raiola using Liverpool to force Manchester United to sell Pogba to PSG?
While Le10 Sport note PSG are the hottest track for Pogba, while suggesting Raiola offered him to Liverpool, The Athletic claim the Ligue 1 giants have only held initial discussions. The Parisian side are undecided on pursuing a deal right now or waiting until he is a free agent.
Pogba is also speaking with the Red Devils, who value him at in excess of £50m, over a new contract. The Mirror also report the £290,000-per-week dynamo has rejected a £50m contract extension worth £350k-p/w, with PSG considering bidding £45m.
It is highly likely PSG are the only side interested in signing Pogba from Manchester United, despite the Liverpool claims. But the Frenchman is a player Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes, via The Guardian, ‘can do everything’.
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