It has been a curious season so far for Paul Pogba at Manchester United.
He’s played just 450 minutes for the Red Devils this season after suffering a catalogue of injuries.
But there have also been speculation of a falling out with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with salacious gossip suggesting that perhaps the Frenchman hasn’t gone overboard in working on his fitness in his time out of the side – this after he said in an interview during the summer that he was not opposed to a new challenge.
Of course, that has fed plenty of fuel into the rumour mill, with many left wondering if Pogba might be set for a move to pastures new in the January transfer window.
Solskjaer was pressed hard on the matter in a recent press conference, but he refused to give more details on the ankle injury and illness that have kept the 26-year-old out of his starting eleven since September – nor where his future lies.
“He’s not getting sold in January,” the Norwegian said when quizzed about Pogba, and predicted that the transfer speculation would soon come to an end. “When he comes back and plays well, with a smile on his face, and does what he did a year ago when I came here [the speculation will end],” Solskjaer said.
That should put an end to it, you might think, but the bookies are not convinced. One club in particular looks to be a possible destination with a implied probability of 36.4% in the bookmakers’ odds.
So where will Paul Pogba be playing his football come February 1?
| Club | Country | League | Odds of Joining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid | Spain | La Liga | 7/4 |
| Juventus | Italy | Serie A | 6/1 |
| Barcelona | Spain | La Liga | 25/1 |
Real Madrid (7/4)
It has been reported by a number of sources that Pogba has been ‘pushing’ for a move to Real Madrid in January.
It’s one of the reasons why he hasn’t played for United since September, according to hearsay, because he doesn’t want to aggravate his injury and scupper a move to Zinedine Zidane’s outfit.
It would be another marquee signing for the Galacticos as they give their squad an overhaul after a barren spell both in La Liga and in the Champions League.
And he would slot straight into a midfield that is lacking a bit of star quality, Toni Kroos aside.
At this kind of price, the bookies believe there is a decent chance that Pogba will end up in Madrid at the end of January, so maybe ow is the time for Solskjaer to make alternative plans.
Juventus (6/1)
The Frenchman won four Serie A titles and two Coppa Italia’s in a stellar spell at Juventus that ultimately put him on the footballing map.
His old chum, Paolo Dybala, has claimed that Pogba ‘misses’ life in Turin, and that set tongues wagging that a move back to the Old Lady was a possibility.
Stranger things have happened, of course, but you suspect his next move would be to a side challenging seriously for the Champions League title.
Barcelona (25/1)
Competing in the Champions League has been something of a problem for the Catalan outfit in recent times, and Pogba would be a jewel in their crown to supplement their galaxy of attacking stars.
Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic are both knocking on, and Ernesto Valverde will be desperate to shake up his capable squad that needs new blood.
He would surely enjoy linking up with World Cup winning teammates Antoine Griezmann and Samuel Umtiti too, but it would seem that Pogba has his heart set on a switch to the Bernabeu.