Where is Paul Pogba going to play next season? Some in the media are convinced that the World Cup winner is going back to Juventus, six years after he left the club on a record transfer to Manchester United.
Others say the race to acquire Pogba on a free transfer this summer is between Real Madrid and French giants PSG.
According to Sky Sports, Pogba is weighing his options while vacationing in the US. The report suggests that the 29-year-old soccer star has three “attractive” offers from the aforementioned clubs.
Juventus
Pogba became a bonafide soccer superstar while playing in Italy. The Serie A giants are rebuilding their squad after a disappointing season.
A return to Juventus makes sense on paper because he could easily find a spot in the starting XI. However, success is not guaranteed.
Pogba returned to Old Trafford and failed to match the initial hype. Something similar could happen in Italy.
However, the excitement for his return to Italy is real. Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny told The Sun: “I’d be delighted to see that happen. He did brilliantly in his previous time at Juventus, so he would be a great addition to the squad. He is a player with good caliber and experience, and he has good memories from Turin.”
Some observers say that Pogba needs a new challenge, a club that is not too familiar for him. The two other offers fit that description.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid is on top of the world after winning the UEFA Champions League in Paris last month. Their manager, Carlo Ancelotti, wants to add more creativity to a midfield that is already composed of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Casemiro.
Madrid can also count on Fede Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga, who are the future of the Spanish giants.
Moreover, the La Liga winner is said to be close to acquiring French soccer player Aurélien Tchouaméni on a $108 million transfer from Monaco.
Many say that the 22-year-old midfielder reminds them of Pogba at his best. Playing for Madrid would be a dream come true for Pogba.
However, finding a solid spot in the lineup will be more challenging than with Juve. Moreover, Pogba wants to prioritize football this time around as his next move could be the last big one of his career.
PSG
After keeping Kylian Mbappé in Paris. The club is now trying to build a strong squad around him to win the main European trophy finally.
Pogba, who has never played for a French team, could do wonders with Marco Verrati. PSG is also eyeing Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona and Tchouaméni for the third spot.
Sources with ties to the French team say Pogba has never been so close to returning home and playing in the Ligue 1 for the first time in his career.
The PSG insiders even say that there is already an agreement in place that will be announced in the next 14 days.
Two obstacles could still derail a Pogba transfer to Paris, new sports advisor Luis Campos, and the future manager who will be named soon.
Campos reportedly does not see Pogba as a priority for the club. However, PSG Nasser al-Khelaïfi is the one who will have the final say here.
Bottom line
A reunion with former coach Massimiliano Allegri in Turin seems enticing. However, SoccerOpi.com sources insist that PSG is in the lead here.
A reversal is possible but unlikely because PSG is trying to build a team with a bigger French component for the next season.
Pogba releases his documentary The Pogmentary via Amazon Prime Video on June 17. This seems like the right time to announce a transfer to Paris or elsewhere.