Manchester City hold talks with Juventus star Paul Pogba

Posted Tuesday, May 12, 2015 by skysports.com

Manchester City hold talks with Juventus star Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba has scored 20 goals in 86 appearances for Juventus since joining the Turin side on a free transfer in 2012

Manchester City have held talks with highly-rated Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, understands Sky Sports Italia.

City’s representatives travelled to Turin to speak to the France international over a potential transfer to the Etihad Stadium.

However, dethroned Premier League champions City face stiff competition as the 22-year-old has also been linked with Paris St Germain, Barcelona, Real Madrid and former club Manchester United.

United signed Pogba from Le Havre in 2009 in a move which enraged the French club but he made only three league appearances from the bench before rejecting a new contract and joining Juventus on a free transfer in July 2012.

Manchester City hold talks with Juventus star Paul Pogba
Whatever the future is for him I don't see it being Manchester United.

The Italian champions are keen to keep Pogba, who is under contract until June 2019, and have slapped a price-tag of a minimum of 100m euros on their prized possession.

City are believed to be the first club to visit northern Italy in their bid to sign Pogba and any deal is likely to involve other players as makeweights.

PSG are reportedly willing to meet Juve’s valuation of the player but the figure is understood to have seen Real Madrid cool their interest.

Barca are currently restrained by a transfer ban imposed by FIFA for 2015, while Juventus team-mate Andrea Pirlo has dismissed the chances of Pogba returning to Old Trafford.

"He seems very happy at Juventus," said Pirlo. "I know he is focused on finishing the season with a lot of success. Whatever the future is for him I don't see it being Manchester United.

"He didn't feel he was treated well there. I know that was under Sir Alex Ferguson and now there is a new coach, but I do not seeing him returning to a club where he was not treated well.”

Pogba, meanwhile, is focused on facing Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final second leg at the Bernabau on Wednesday night.