The speculation surrounding Paul Pogba’s future at Manchester United comes as no surprise to Marcel Desailly as “everyone wants a player” with the World Cup winner’s ability.
A move to Real Madrid continues to be mooted for the France international, while Juventus are also said to be keen on bringing the 26-year-old back onto their books, three years on from offloading him to Old Trafford in a record-breaking £89 million ($113m) deal.
Pogba has hinted that it may be time for a change, with plenty of criticism having come his way since returning to English football.
United, though, are understandably reluctant to part with a player with undoubted potential.
Fellow countryman Desailly admits some big decisions need to be taken this summer, telling reporters: “Everyone wants a player like Pogba. He is great, but we have to first know if he really wants to go there [Madrid].
“Manchester United want him to respect Manchester United first of all. Then the deal can be done. This is business, huge business.
“Let’s wait and see and hope that all of them can be happy in the end – Pogba, United and Real.
“But maybe he will stay at Manchester United.”
Getty Images
If Pogba were to make his way to Spain, then he would link up with former Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard.
The Belgian has completed his own big-money move from the Premier League to La Liga this summer.
Former Blues star Desailly admits Hazard’s departure has left those at Stamford Bridge with a sizeable void to fill.
They are in the process of trying to find a successor to Maurizio Sarri in the dugout, with Frank Lampard having been freed by Derby to enter into talks, but their hands have been tied in the transfer market by a two-window ban.
“Chelsea now have to think about fixing the problems about transfers, then they can find a new manager and a new quality player that can make Chelsea strong,” Desailly said.
United States international Christian Pulisic has been snapped up by the Blues, with that deal done in January, and much will be expected of him when it comes to filling Hazard’s boots in west London.