Liverpool could make a shock move for Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba. The World Cup-winning Frenchman’s current deal expires next summer and he isn’t close to signing a new deal with the Red Devils.
As per Le 10Sport, Paul Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola has offered his client to Liverpool. The Reds have told him that they will not make a bid for Pogba this summer, but could be interested in the January transfer window, when the Frenchman will be eligible to speak to other clubs.
Liverpool are reportedly keen on signing a midfielder to replace Georginio Wijnaldum and have been linked with moves for Eduardo Camavinga and Houssem Aouar.
Paul Pogba joined United in 2016 from Juventus for a world-record transfer fee.
Paul Pogba: Can he succeed under Klopp?
It seems highly unlikely that Paul Pogba will be a Manchester United player at the start of the next season. It’s also improbable that United will sell their player to an arch-rival like Liverpool, even more so a world-class talent like the Frenchman.
But, the Reds could snatch the World Cup-winner on a free transfer next summer and can begin discussions with him in January. Pogba has seemed unhappy at Old Trafford in the last few seasons, and his relationship with the United fans has been hurt by his agent Raoila, who isn’t one to mince words.
A move to Liverpool could perhaps show United and Premier League fans what Paul Pogba is truly capable of. Jurgen Klopp has a far better midfield than what Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has at his disposal, with two world-class midfielders in Fabinho and Thiago and also the industry and leadership of Jordan Henderson. Pogba has thrived in midfields that have hard-working players where he has the freedom to play his natural, attacking game.
Paul Pogba could slot in on the left side of midfield alongside Thiago and ahead of Fabinho, and he could dominate the game with his passing and dribbling. The Frenchman’s ability to play key passes in the final third could give opportunities to Liverpool’s supremely talented front three of Salah, Mane and Firmino.
At times last season, Liverpool looked bereft of creativity from midfield when their front three weren’t firing and that is an issue which could be solved in one stroke with the signing of a player like Paul Pogba.
The one aspect that may be an issue for Pogba is the defensive side of his game, which he isn’t very good at. Klopp likes his teams to attack and defend as a unit, which is one of the key reasons for their success in recent years. Perhaps the Liverpool manager could give Pogba a free role and more freedom considering the addition of Konate to the Liverpool backline alongside Virgil van Dijk.
Pogba’s move to Liverpool seems like a far-fetched dream at the moment, but stranger things have happened in football and this cannot be ruled out yet. (Not by us anyway!)