Chelsea Transfer News: Paul Pogba Agent Sparks Blues, Manchester United Rumours

Despite putting pen to paper on a new long-term contract at the back end of 2014, Paul Pogba’s time at Juventus could be set to come to an end pretty quickly, which will surely be music to the ears of Chelsea and Manchester United.

That’s according to the player’s agent Mino Raiola, who told Italian television station Mediaset (h/t Tim Collomosse of the London Evening Standard) that—while the young midfielder remains happy in Turin—he could leave the Bianconeri at some point in 2015:

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It’s normal that he might leave in a year. He is one of the best eight players in the world and the top European clubs like him.

We’ve renewed at Juventus and he feels great there, and he is playing very well. Will he leave? It’s up to Juventus, we’ve renewed his contract, we’re happy there but when the right moment comes to leave, we will seize it.

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MANU FERNANDEZ/Associated Press

Here’s a look at why Raiola thinks that the 21-year-old is among the finest players in world football:

As noted by BBC Sport, Chelsea, United and Manchester City are all reportedly interested in Pogba, with a £77 million fee mooted.

The piece also quotes Juventus’ general director Giuseppe Marotta speaking to Sky Italia, insisting the crown jewel of his team’s midfield is going nowhere:

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Every European club is watching him and been in contact.

However, we want to have a strong team made up of champions. We have an important player in Pogba and we don't have a need to sell him.

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Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images

Encouragingly for the Bianconeri faithful, Pogba’s immediate future looks set to be at the Juventus Stadium. With the club currently in the midst of an intriguing title race and in the knockout stages of the Champions League, the Frenchman will play a vital role in determining how successful a campaign this is for Massimiliano Allegri’s team.

With Pogba seemingly out of reach for the time being, Bleacher Report's Garry Hayes looks at other January options for Chelsea:

The Frenchman will surely remain a long-term target, though. As noted by David Amoyal of gianlucadimarzio.com, such are the levels that Pogba is capable of, he’s now able to influence games—like Juve’s recent win over Napoli—even when he’s not playing at his absolute peak:

It’s easy to see why any side would be interested in such a multi-faceted footballer, but you suspect Mourinho in particular will be watching on from afar with a real admiration for the player. Pogba is essentially an indetikit player for the Portuguese’s mantras and would bring so much to the heart of this Chelsea midfield.

Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

Indeed, the national coach of Tahiti actually voted Pogba as the world’s best player in the recent Ballon d’Or awards, as noted here by Get French Football:

Such is his ability, European football expert Andrew Gibney recently questioned why the Italian champions would ever let him go:

When the time is right for Pogba and Juve to part company, you suspect every club on the planet that can stump up the requisite cash will be in the market for a player of his incomparable ability. From a Chelsea perspective he’d be a near perfect purchase and the ideal player to sit alongside Nemanja Matic at the base of the Blues’ midfield.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

But you get a sense that Pogba feels as though he owes Juventus. They took a chance on him after his turbulent time at United and, after refining his abilities, the club are beginning to reap the massive rewards. He's expressing himself wonderfully, too, showcasing a freedom he may not be afforded in leagues of a higher profile and unyielding focus.

With that in mind, if both player and club are content in their respective situations, Pogba won’t be leaving Juventus for a long time yet.