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Report: Paul Pogba, Jose Mourinho 'Call Truce' After Talks Amid Exit Rumours
September 6, 2018
Manchester United star Paul Pogba will reportedly not seek a January exit from the club after holding talks with Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho.
According to the Mirror's David McDonnell, the France international pushed for a transfer in the summer but has called a truce with Mourinho, even if issues between the two persist.
Per McDonnell, Barcelona was Pogba's preferred destination in the summer, and there were also strong links with former club Juventus. Tuttosport recently reported the midfielder would seek a January switch back to Turin (h/t Calciomercato.com).
While a reunion with the Bianconeri seems unlikely―the Italians smashed their transfer record in the summer to bring in Cristiano Ronaldo―a switch to Barcelona could be on the cards. As sports writer Liam Canning noted, some Blaugrana players have already talked up the move:
Barcelona vice president Jordi Mestre also had his say, per Mundo Deportivo (h/t Ciaran Kelly of the Manchester Evening News):
"We do not talk about players that are not at our club. What I read is that Pogba is unhappy at Manchester United and his agent, Mino Raiola, has been more vehement in efforts to sell him.
"But I have not read that he says he wants to sign for the club. Yes, he is a player of unquestionable quality in the eyes of all the world."
According to McDonnell, Pogba is almost certain to push for a transfer again next summer, but the midfielder understands that the Red Devils won't sell in midseason and will therefore not ask for a move in January.
United have started the season in poor form, winning just two of their first four Premier League fixtures. And Pogba has been highlighted as one of the main reasons behind the bad start.
His inconsistent play has given some of his critics―including Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness―plenty of ammunition:
Despite this, he easily ranks among United's top players, so the club will battle hard to keep hold of him this season.