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Paris Saint-Germain fans send warning to Paul Pogba over prospective transfer

Paul Pogba - Get French Football News
Paul Pogba - Get French Football News

Paul Pogba has been told by Paris Saint-Germain fans he will not be welcome at the club following interest in signing him from Manchester United this summer.

PSG supporters have displayed a banner at their Parc des Princes stadium reading: “Pogba, you should listen to your mother. She doesn't want you here, neither do we.” The reference to Pogba’s mother refers to her being a fan of bitter rivals Marseille.

United are braced for a bid from PSG for Pogba and are willing to listen to offers during the current transfer window, as the 28-year-old has less than a year left on his contract and can leave for free next summer.

Returning to Paris, where he was born but has never played, has appeared to be a move that would suit all parties. Mauricio Pochettino is already well-stocked in midfield and has added Gini Wijnaldum to a squad containing Marco Verratti, Leandro Paredes, Danilo Pereira, Ander Herrera and Idrissa Gueye.

While Pochettino would welcome Pogba into his midfield, a return for the World Cup-winner with France to his home city would not necessarily be straightforward. Returning to Paris would be a radical change from his low-key lifestyle in Manchester. Opposition from PSG fans would add another layer of complexity.

PSG would be one of a clutch of clubs in the world who could afford the £290,000 a week United pay Pogba following his record-breaking £89million transfer from Juventus five years ago.

Pogba spoke with United about his future before the Euros and there are scheduled to be further discussions before the start of the season but no agreement has been made on a long-term contract, with the club facing the prospect of cashing in now or risk losing him for free.

Pochettino has just signed a contract extension to June 2023 with PSG, who believe a bid of up to €50m (£43m) for Pogba could be enough to persuade United to sell.

Manchester United expect formal approach for Paul Pogba from Paris Saint-Germain this transfer window - Marcio Machado /Getty Images Europe
Manchester United expect formal approach for Paul Pogba from Paris Saint-Germain this transfer window - Marcio Machado /Getty Images Europe

Juventus had hoped to re-sign Pogba before the onset of the coronavirus pandemic scuppered those wishes although the Italian club are thought to have enquired about Pogba in January.

United are believed to be in the process of sounding out a number of midfielders but it is unclear at this stage if they plan to sign a direct replacement should Pogba go or use any funds from a prospective sale to bring in a defensive midfielder, a position manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would like to bolster. Eduardo Camavinga, of Rennes, is widely admired at United.

Donny van Beek was signed from Ajax last summer, partly in anticipation of Pogba leaving in this window, but the Holland midfielder has yet to convince after enduring a tough debut season in England. Jesse Lingard impressed on loan during the second half of last season for West Ham but it is still unclear if he will be sold this summer.

United’s more immediate priority is to try to complete a deal for the Real Madrid centre-half and Pogba’s France team-mate, Raphael Varane.

PSG have already signed midfielders Georginio Wijnaldum and Danilo Pereira from Liverpool and Porto respectively this summer, as well as right back Achraf Hakimi, centre-back Sergio Ramos and goalkeeper Gianlugi Donnarumma.

Pogba signing would add another huge salary to a soaring wage bill but there is appetite at the club to buy the midfielder, who was born in the eastern Paris suburb of Lagny-sur-Marne and was one of France’s best performers at the European Championships this summer, despite the world champions’ shock last 16 exit to Switzerland on penalties.

Manchester United expect formal approach for Paul Pogba from Paris Saint-Germain this transfer window - Pool/Getty Images Europe
Manchester United expect formal approach for Paul Pogba from Paris Saint-Germain this transfer window - Pool/Getty Images Europe

Sancho, meanwhile, will wear the No. 25 shirt at United next season after signing a five-year contract with the club until June 2026 with the option of another year. Edinson Cavani will continue to wear the No. 7 jersey.

“This is a young and exciting squad and I know, together, we can develop into something special to bring the success that the fans deserve,” said Sancho, 21, who posted an emotional address on Instagram thanking Dortmund for their work and support over his four years in Germany.

Solskjaer said Old Trafford would give Sancho “the platform he needs to release his untapped talent and perform at the highest level” but expects the Premier League to be a step up for the winger.

“I think he made a good decision going to the Bundesliga, it was probably the right step for him, the right level and the right club,” the United manager said. “I think Dortmund have shown so many times what they can do for young talent and in the Bundesliga what that can do.

“The Premier League is a different animal, though. I don’t want to sound disrespectful to the Bundesliga but I think the Premier League is a step up. It’s shown it’s the place to be and that’s where Jadon wanted to be.”