Newcastle United are exploring a shock swoop to take Paul Pogba from Old Trafford to St James’ Park in a free transfer when his Manchester United contract expires this summer.
That’s according to The Sun, who report the Magpies and Aston Villa are monitoring the France star’s situation closely. Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and the 2018 World Cup winner’s former side, Juventus, are also interested in a deal and stand as the favourites.
Pogba is likely to embark on the next chapter of his career this summer after admitting he wasted the best years of his career with Manchester United. “The last five seasons have not satisfied me – really not at all,” he said. “This year, it is dead, we won’t win anything.”
Pogba will want to win trophies at whichever club he agrees to join in the summer. He has helped the Red Devils to win the Europa League and a Carabao Cup since returning to Old Trafford in 2016 for a then world-record £89m, four years after leaving in a £1.5m transfer.
The 29-year-old will not rush a decision over his future, and The Telegraph report Pogba is willing to wait until the summer. He is also open to staying in the Premier League, while a Bosman deal should see the 89-cap international pen terms of more than £200k-a-week.
Shearer has already called Paul Pogba ‘unplayable’ as Newcastle eye Man Utd ace
Newcastle are likely one of a few clubs able to afford Pogba’s wages in a free transfer from Manchester United. Eddie Howe will, however, likely need to convince the four-time Serie A champion to join the Magpies, and prove that the Toon will soon challenge for top titles.
Howe doing so will represent a huge coup for the North East giants and their Saudi-backed owners. Newcastle could also add an elite-calibre midfielder by capitalising on Manchester United losing Pogba in a free transfer at the end of his £290k-a-week contract come June.
Newcastle icon Alan Shearer has also already told Howe what Pogba can bring with a free transfer from Manchester United. He lauded the Frenchman in a Premier League column last year after an audacious show of skill, strength and poise against Tottenham Hotspur.
“When he plays like that, he’s unplayable – as he showed for the final goal, as he waltzed past Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, shrugged off Eric Dier and played in Mason Greenwood.”
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