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EXCLUSIVE ROMANO: Juve, the Matic effect and other surprises
Paul Pogba’s departure from Juventus now looks to be just a matter of time as Manchester United prepares to welcome back the player they nurtured through their youth system. Despite a last minute intervention from Real Madrid, the French midfielder has agreed a contract of €13 million a year plus his image rights but there is also the Mino Raiola factor to take into consideration; the super-agent wants his percentage of the sale. Juventus does not want to pay it so Mourinho must now oblige. The bianconeri do not want to be left short in the central area and are already seeking out a replacement for Pogba.
MATIC IS JUST ONE OF THE NAMES
Having lost out on Andre Gomes, Juventus are now pushing for Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic. The 27-year-old is Max Allegri’s first-choice and the bianconeri has received positive signals from the player’s entourage. The problem is that new Chelsea boss Antonio Conte does not want the Serbian to leave Stamford Bridge despite the player’s claims that he needs more space in the starting XI.
SURPRISE NAMES
So if Matic decides to stay in London, then who will Juve look to next? Inter’s Marcelo Brozovic is a concrete idea and so is Newcastle United’s Moussa Sissoko. Axel Witsel is keen for a switch to Turin but the bianconeri don’t seem convinced. There could even be a surprise in store for fans of the Old Lady and it could be that Sporting Director Paratici is already in secret negotiations somewhere in the world. Losing Pogba is a big blow but someone like Paratici knows how to operate on the transfer market and he should be trusted to find the right replacement.
Adapted from an original by Fabrizio Romano. Translation by Steve Mitchell
Adapted from an original by Fabrizio Romano. Translation by Steve Mitchell
