Paul Pogba will leave Juventus this year or the next, says agent

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba will likely leave the Italian champions this year or the next, according to the player’s agent Mino Raiola.

The 21-year-old recently signed an extension with the Turin club which runs until June 2019. But Raiola feels it is unlikely the young France international will see out the full length of his contract with the Italian side.

“His contract renewal was an easy decision,” Pogba’s agent told the Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport. “Not signing a new deal would have created a problem for Juventus and a weakness for Paul.”

“I want the club that buys him to believe in him and be willing to pay for him. If Paul leaves Juventus, it is for the absolute top. If it does not happen this year, it will be next year.”

“Paul is at the same level economically as the other big stars and has a similar reputation, so he could stay for another year.”

“But Paul is the only major star who is available at the end of the season. If you cannot take Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi or Zlatan Ibrahimovic, you can only go for Paul.”

“If someone wants him, the market situation could see him go for more than 100 million euros (£75 million).”

Raiola’s statements are surprising and will likely unsettle officials at Juventus. Because of Pogba’s enormous talent, the midfielder was always going to be the subject of transfer speculation. But now that his agent has basically said the young Frenchman is ‘on the market’ this summer, top clubs will be lining up to bid for the player’s services.

While there are only a few European sides who can afford the amount of money Raiola is quoting due to Financial Fair Play restrictions, the next few months will see nervous times at Juventus as they prepare for a summertime bidding war over their star player.