Mauricio Pochettino comments on PSG move for Paul Pogba

Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino has distanced himself from a move for Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba this summer.

Pogba has entered the final year of his contract at Old Trafford and sources have confirmed to 90min that he will delay entering talks over an extension while he evaluates all his options, one of which is a move to Paris.

Pogba's future is up in the air | Paul Ellis - Pool/Getty Images

United are expecting a formal offer from PSG before the transfer window closes, although Pochettino did his best to pour cold water on the story following his side's 1-0 defeat to Lille in the Trophee des Champions.

After the match, Pochettino was asked whether he felt his side were lacking in midfield in the game and could do with signing someone like Pogba, but the boss was not prepared to take the bait.

"You see the list of the players that we have at home, we have plenty of players," he said. "Half of the squad is at home. A few are on holiday.

"I think the performance was good, I am happy, and I don’t want to talk about names of players who are in other clubs."

Pochettino's not wrong with that assessment. Marco Verratti, Leandro Paredes and Idrissa Gueye all did not feature during Sunday's game, while new signing Georginio Wijnaldum was only fit enough for a spot on the bench, although the Dutchman did impress in his 19-minute cameo.

There's clearly no obvious need for Pogba, but that does not mean that an offer for the 28-year-old is not forthcoming.

United are reluctant to offload Pogba because they know there is still a chance that he could choose to extend his contract. He is considering all his options and simply wants to make sure he does not close any doors without exploring what is available to him.

Leaving on a free transfer is the only way Pogba could seal a move to long-term suitors Real Madrid or Juventus, so the Frenchman is set to hold fire on signing an extension for the time being.


Source : 90min