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United break bank to land Pogba
LONDON: The world record for a transfer fee was shredded Tuesday when French superstar Paul Pogba completed a sensational return to Manchester United from Juventus
LONDON: The world record for a transfer fee was shredded Tuesday when French superstar Paul Pogba completed a sensational return to Manchester United from Juventus for 105 million euros (Rs 778.70 crore).
After a weeks-long wrangle, United announced Pogba had signed a five-year contract, marking his return to a club that had let him go for a token fee in 2012.
In Turin, Juventus confirmed media reports that Pogba had been transferred for 105 million euros, which will be paid over two years.
The fee may rise by five million euros “on achieving given conditions,” it said without further details.
The sum, equivalent to 89 million pounds, smashes the 85 million pounds for the transfer of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur in 2013, “thus making Pogba the most valuable player in the sport’s history”, Juventus said.
“This is the right club for me to achieve everything I hope to in the game,” said Pogba, 23.
“I am delighted to rejoin United. It has always been a club with a special place in my heart and I am really looking forward to working with Jose Mourinho.”
The newly-appointed Portuguese manager has been tasked with bringing back the glory days to the 20-time English champions after three lean years since Alex Ferguson’s retirement.
And the former Chelsea boss believes Pogba, who will wear the United number six shirt worn in the past by the greats like Rio Ferdinand, Jaap Stam and Nobby Stiles, can help him achieve that aim.
“He has the chance to be at the heart of this club for the next decade and beyond,” said Mourinho.
“Paul is one of the best players in the world and will be a key part of the United team I want to build here for the future. He is quick, strong, scores goals and reads the game better than many players much older than he is.”
Pogba made just seven appearances during his previous spell at the club as a teenager before leaving for Juventus when his contract ran out.
He now returns as one of the world’s most famous players after winning four consecutive Serie A titles and helping France to the Euro 2016 final.
