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Paul Pogba Officially Completes Manchester United Transfer from Juventus
The transfer saga surrounding former Juventus star Paul Pogba is finally over, with former club Manchester United officially signing the midfielder after he passed his medical.
Continue for updates.
Pogba, Mourinho Comment on Signing
Tuesday, Aug. 9
"I am delighted to rejoin United," said Pogba in a statement on the club's official website:
It has always been a club with a special place in my heart and I am really looking forward to working with Jose Mourinho. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Juventus and have some fantastic memories of a great club with players that I count as friends. But I feel the time is right to go back to Old Trafford. I always enjoyed playing in front of the fans and can’t wait to make my contribution to the team. This is the right club for me to achieve everything I hope to in the game.
United manager Jose Mourinho weighed in on the signing as well, per the team's website:
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. At 23, he has the chance to make that position his own here over many years. He is young and will continue to improve; he has the chance to be at the heart of this club for the next decade and beyond.
"I am delighted to rejoin United," said Pogba in a statement on the club's official website:
It has always been a club with a special place in my heart and I am really looking forward to working with Jose Mourinho. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Juventus and have some fantastic memories of a great club with players that I count as friends. But I feel the time is right to go back to Old Trafford. I always enjoyed playing in front of the fans and can’t wait to make my contribution to the team. This is the right club for me to achieve everything I hope to in the game.
United manager Jose Mourinho weighed in on the signing as well, per the team's website:
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. At 23, he has the chance to make that position his own here over many years. He is young and will continue to improve; he has the chance to be at the heart of this club for the next decade and beyond.
Pogba Lands in Manchester, Passes Medical
Monday, Aug. 8
"The France midfielder flew from Nice into Manchester Airport on Monday before making his way to the club's training ground," Simon Stone of BBC Sport reported.
Bleacher Report provided an image of the midfielder en route:
Fabrizio Romano of the Guardian reported Pogba later passed his medical. The Red Devils announced on Sunday that "Pogba has been granted permission to have a medical in order to finalise his transfer from Juventus to Manchester United."
Agent Denies Imminent Move
Friday, July 29
Mino Raiola, Pogba's agent, denied his client was set for a return to Manchester United on Twitter:
Romano reported that Manchester United were "preparing the contracts and documents" to complete the signing of Pogba. Romano added that Juventus have accepted United's offer and were meeting with Raiola.
"There is no deal done regarding Paul Pogba, lots of bla bla bla," Raiola tweeted on July 21. On July 20, Jean-Luca Mascaro of GianlucaDiMarzio.com reported that Pogba gave his approval on a move back to Old Trafford.
Romano and Marcus Christenson of the Guardian reported on July 19 that United's first bid had been turned down.
Madrid Make Contact with Juventus over Pogba
Wednesday, July 27
Miguel Delaney of ESPN FC reported, citing sources, that Real Madrid reached out to Juventus regarding a potential transfer for Pogba. However, Delaney also stated Manchester United "remain favourites" to sign Pogba.
On July 14, Sky Sports News HQ said that Real Madrid were out of the race for Pogba:
Delaney, citing sources, reported on June 9 that Pogba was "waiting to see if Real Madrid make a move" for his signature.
Allegri Comments on Pogba's Future
Sunday, July 17
"The France internationals will return on August 7," Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri told reporters, per ESPN FC. "Both [Patrice] Evra and Pogba? They are both Juventus players, and I hope they will stay. I am counting on Pogba."
Allegri provided additional comments to La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football Italia):
I am calm about the English rumours. Anyone who has the opportunity to leave Juventus has to consider things very carefully, because right now Juve are among the top four European clubs.
This is not a selling club that just lets its players go. Pogba belongs to Juve and at the end of the day he too will want to win another Scudetto and hopefully the Champions League.
Pogba Comments on Future
Thursday, July 14
Pogba appeared at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, and when asked about Manchester United, he stated, per the Daily Express' James Cambridge: "It's my first family, I don't know we'll see, we'll see."
Cambridge added: "When handed the Juventus shirt, Pogba said: 'It's my team...my family.'"
Pogba Heading Back to Old Trafford
Pogba played for the Red Devils before joining Juventus on a free transfer in 2012 after he didn't receive the chances he felt he deserved at Old Trafford. In Turin, he has developed into one of the world's best central midfielders, and transfer speculation surrounding the player never seems to go away.
The France international has been linked with virtually every top club during his time at Juve, and Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane said any team would want to add him, per Goal's Tom Webber.
Plenty of pundits, including David Amoyal, a translator for Di Marzio, didn't think he'd move this summer.
United initially seemed an unlikely destination given Pogba's past experiences at Old Trafford and the team's lack of success in recent years, but the arrival of Mourinho as manager has made the club more attractive to international stars.